Review

Let’s Say Oui to ME Time • Oui by Yoplait

4 · Sep 4, 2017 · 2 Comments

As much as I adore my kiddos, there are times when I need a special ME treat! Do you ever feel that way? This post is brought to you by the amazing folks at Yoplait, because they know that sometimes, we need to say Oui (French for YES) to ME time!

Disclaimer + This post is sponsored by Yoplait. However, all thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own.

My kiddos are cute, they’re crazy, goofy and silly. Sometimes they’re grumpy and quite frankly they turn into pills at times. This little guy is a ball of energy, when that energy is directed towards good, he brings such light into our home. BUT… If that energy is a negative energy man-oh-man, his energy can turn negative rather quickly. It’s like it’s his super power. Jekyll & Hyde ring any bells? Toss him into a home with three teenage sister and it can turn into a powder keg for sure.

It’s true magic when we are all together and having fun just being together, but… When the wind is blowing from the east or someone’s foot touches someone else’s personal space, WATCH OUT! Think super collider!

We had one of those super collider days a few weeks ago, right before school started again. Actually, I believe it was the last Friday before school started the following Monday. We were all on each other’s last nerve. We had just returned home from a two week long road trip and we decided at the last minute to paint a couple of the girl’s rooms in our new house. Brilliant! Not our best move…

That afternoon, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I needed a break. I needed some ME time. I needed a treat. I didn’t know what. I didn’t want something full of sugar, but I still wanted it to feel decadent. I wanted it to be special.

The closest store to our home is Walmart and I decided to head there. I really don’t know why I chose Walmart, other than it was the closest place that was easy to escape to and I could wander the aisles aimlessly until I found that special something that could get me out of this bad attitude. Mom needed a timeout!

I wandered to the bakery, nothing looked tempting. I hit the candy aisle, again nothing hit the mark. Freezer section, nothing. I wanted something cool & creamy, not too sweet, something that tasted real.

I rounded the corner into the dairy section at Walmart and it hit me… I knew exactly what I wanted to help wash away the frustrations of the day, Oui by Yoplait.

I saw this new yogurt and before I even registered what it was, I knew that was what was going to hit the spot. It was so cute and you know how much I LOVE great branding. It was creamy French style yogurt in a little glass jar. I had found my ME moment with Oui by Yoplait without even trying! It was like this beautiful yogurt was created just for ME!

Of course, I immediately grabbed some of my favorite flavors; lemon, black cherry, vanilla & strawberry and headed home to enjoy my new found treat.

You may find it a little weird but, my children have been trained after 7 years of blogging, if Mom comes in the house with something and she says that, “it’s for the blog,” they WILL NOT touch it. In 7 years of blogging, I have never taken advantage of that… Until now! You guys, this yogurt is so good! Yoplait has hit it out of the park with this one. It’s thick, creamy and not too sweet and boy, I’m not going to share!

It’s made the traditional French way with simple, straight forward ingredients. The vanilla flavored Oui by Yoplait is made with; milk, cane sugar, yogurt cultures (L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus) and vanilla extract. That’s it!

Their cows that produce the whole milk are feed a Non-GMO diet. The fruit is REAL, nothing is artificial. The French believe the measure of good food is the pleasure and joy it brings to life. That is exactly what I needed at that moment. Something cool, creamy & subtly sweet to bring back the joy that I needed to go back home to be with my family, with the right attitude in tow.

Will I start to share? Nope, as far as I’m concerned… These little pots belong to me. They are extra special and for those times when I need something extra special to bring that joy back into my day. Yoplait knew exactly what you and I needed to make our days extra special!

DIY Fall Throw Pillow • Oh, Delicious Fall

9 · Aug 30, 2017 · 3 Comments

Summer is coming to a close and it’s time to start thinking about Fall decor! This DIY Fall Throw Pillow is Perfect for your front porch or any room in the house!

{ This post brought to you by • Cricut }

It’s time to start decorating for Fall and I’m over the moon excited to finally have a front porch that I can decorate! I’ve been working on all kinds of projects for the porch design and today I’m going to show you one of the elements. My DIY Fall throw pillow with the cute saying, “Oh, Delicious Fall.” Earlier today if you have been following my Story on Instagram… You watched live, how easy it is to make this simple accent pillow with the new Cricut Maker & Easy Press along with the Cricut Heat Transfer Material. It’s sooooo cool!!

The Cricut MAKER

You guys… I know you’ve seen all the buzz around the creative world about the new Cricut Maker and Cricut Easy Press. I’m here to tell you, everything you’ve heard is legit. These two new machines are game changers in the creative world. I’m sure you’ve seen some of the stuff the new Cricut Maker can do, it cuts…

fabric { without any type of backing }
felt
leather
balsa and bass wood
crepe paper
chip board
mat board
and the list goes on and on…

The engineers at Cricut have come up with an adaptive cutting tool system that is truly inspired. They have also dramatically increased the cutting power which allows for all of the new materials. They’ve increased the cutting power 10x… That’s seriously impressive! Here are some of the displays with amazing vignettes all created with the Cricut Maker for the launch event earlier this month.

Well, enough about that… Let’s get to work on the Fall throw pillow. Now keep in mind, I am using the new Cricut Maker but, you can use any of the Cricut cutting machines like the Cricut Air 2 for this project. We are using the Cricut Heat Transfer Material that any of those machines can handle just fine. Also, I am using the Cricut Easy Press, which is FABULOUS!! But, you won’t be left out in the cold if you don’t have an Easy Press yet… You can use your iron to create this accent fluffy pillow as well.

Instructions for the DIY Fall Throw Pillow

Materials needed:

pillow cover
pillow form
Cricut Iron-On Lite – black
Cricut Light Grip cutting mat
Cricut cutting machine
Cricut Easy Press or an Iron
light cotton towel
Cricut Design Space

Directions:

First, you need to download the “Oh, delicious Fall” design that I’ve created for this pillow.

Then you’ll need to upload it into Design Space…

You’ll do that by clicking on the upload button on the left side of the screen.

Now, the design is already sized for your standard 15 inch throw pillow but you can size it larger or smaller if you like. You will also need to add the maple leaf from the image library. I searched for a maple leaf in the search bar and then selected the leaf below. You could always select whatever image you like.

Size and place the leaf into the design and then you need to select your designs and then Weld them together and then Attach them to your “cutting mat.”

Now, it’s time to “Make It” by clicking on the Make It button at the top right of the screen. When working with iron-on material, you need to make sure that you mirror the design so that it cuts properly.

Now, you need to place your Cricut Iron-On light onto your cutting mat. Make sure to follow the package directions for how to place it on your mat. Basically, the shiny side needs to be placed face down on the mat. If you were following my Instagram Story, you would have seen that I don’t bother to cut the material off of the roll until I have finished cutting my design. It cuts down on waste and makes it easier to remove your design from the cutting mat. All you need to do is roll it right back up. It’s super slick.

Now, you need to load your mat into the machine, connect your machine to your computer, iPad or other mobil device via Bluetooth and then select your material that you will be cutting.

Click on Iron-On and you’re all set to cut…

Once you have finished the cutting process, you’ll need to weed your iron-on vinyl to remove the excess material.

While you are weeding your iron-on vinyl, you’ll want to pre-heat your Cricut Easy Press or your iron so that you’re ready to go once you’ve finished weeding.

I have found a setting of 350˚ for about 50 seconds usually does the trick when I’m working with the Cricut Iron-On Lite. The nice thing about the easy press is that is has nice consistent temperature over the entire base. Check this out…

This is showing the heat variance with a traditional iron. That’s why some people have been frustrated in the past with creating iron-on projects. You don’t have to worry about that anymore with the Easy Press. It has a large 9×9 inch plate which is AWSOME!! That’s how you’ll achieve professional results without investing in a bulking and expensive heat press machine. It’s light weight and easy to store which is a total bonus.

First, I pre-heat my pillow cover, this helps to start the iron-on process with the vinyl. Plus, it irons out any wrinkles in your pillow cover.

Oh, I also use a portable ironing blanket that you can find at Walmart or Target in the laundry section. It’s perfect for protecting your surface while you’re using the Easy Press.

Now, center your design on your pillow cover.

Cover your design with a light cotton tea towel.

And then, place the Easy Press onto your design with the timer set for 50 seconds and press the Cricut button to start the timer. Lightly press on the Easy Press and wait for the timer to go off.

Now, my design was a little larger than the 9×9 plate so I did it a few times to make sure I had transferred the entire design onto my pillow cover. Then I removed the protective plastic cover, replaced the towel and then did one more go with the Easy Press to make sure everything was set.

That was it! I put the pillow form into the pillow cover and voilá… I had a fun accent piece for my new front porch bench.

How simple is that? If you don’t have a Cricut machine or the Cricut Easy Press… I would for sure start dropping hints to Santa pronto! This is a new era for creating and these are the must have tools!!

Disclaimer • I am a Cricut Ambassador this year and I’m thrilled to be a part of that crew. I truly love these products and for sure would not share anything that I didn’t naturally use in my own life and LOVE. I have received product and payment for my time in putting together this informative post for you guys. I hope you ENJOY!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tips & Tricks to Finding Great Cookware + Bonus Shakshuka Recipe

17 · Dec 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Over the years, cooking has become quite a passion for me and I’ve become a bit of an accidental expert on cookware in the process. Nothing feels better than working on creating a meal for your family and then having them melt after taking their first bite. I have so many memories of my Mom in the kitchen working on creating all kinds of tasty combinations for the family. She is a fearless cook and I’ve inherited her spunky way of cooking. No recipe is too daunting & no ingredient is too hard to find (thanks to the internet.) Frankly, most of the time we fly without wires and make up the recipe as we go. We love to experiment and play around with tasty ingredients and come up with something new and exciting.

The thing is, a cook is only as good as their cookware! Over the years, I have found some great tips for finding great cookware. Nothing is going to turn out right when using pots and pans that aren’t truly meant to stand up to the rigors of the kitchen. I remember my first set of cookware and how light it was. I could barely stir anything without holding on for dear life, in fear that the pot was going to go flying off the stove. I would constantly burn dishes because my cookware was about at sturdy as a foil pan. It didn’t conduct heat well and all around it was horrible. After doing some research and going through all kinds of trial and error, I have found the key to finding a good pot, pan, skillet or bakeware. When it comes to cookware here are a few things I try to keep in mind.

Don’t be stingy! You don’t need to buy the most expensive pot or pan but, you do get what you pay for. Cookware is an investment. You want these items to last for years and not have to replace them time after time.
A good piece of cookware is going to have a nice heavy feel in your hand. You want something that has a nice solid base that is made out of a metal that conducts heat well. Copper is one of the best.
Don’t fall for fads. There is a reason that the classics are so good.
What is the clean-up like? Are you going to have to spend all kinds of time hand washing your cookware or, can you stick it in the dishwasher? Not all cookware is created equal in this category.
If your budget is small, go for a couple of the basics that can get you by as you add to your collection. Here are a few that I would suggest.
- A set of French skillets
- 3 1/2 Quart Saucepan
Once you have those few items, then I would invest in,
Good bakeware in the kitchen is essential as well. Again, make sure they have a nice heavy feel to them. You don’t want something flimsy standing in the way of great baking. You can start small here as well. Here are a couple of my suggestions. Once you have those you can build up your collection.

I have used many of the cookware & bakeware items that I’ve listed and I LOVE them!! Like truly, madly, deeply love them. They come from a fabulous company called Anolon. Anolon makes some of the best cookware for the home and social chef. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just getting started, these pots and pans are a true gem in your kitchen. They have that nice heavy feel to them, you can tell that with their solid base they are going to cook evenly. I especially love their Anolon Nouvelle Copper line. All of the pots and pans have copper layered in the base of the pans which promotes fabulous cooking. Remember, copper is one of the best metals to cook with.

They are hosting a great sweepstakes! Go check out their Facebook page to enter the Holiday Hosting Sweepstakes!

You can also find all kinds of great info, recipes, and deals on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube & Tumblr.

One of my favorite pots is their Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3.5-QUART COVERED STRAINING SAUCEPAN…

It’s perfect for all kinds of sauces, small batch soups and it’s lovely to use when needing to drain your pot. Look at that fabulous lid and the handy pour spout. This is truly one of my go-to pots!

Another favorite is my Anolon Advanced Bakeware 12-CUP COVERED MUFFIN PAN…

It’s nice and heavy to promote even baking and it has silicone handles that provide great grip when removing your item from the oven or carrying your muffins or cupcakes to an event. It even has a nice cover for when you are traveling and it tucks nicely under your pan for storage at your event. No more lost lids!

Another all-time favorite that I’ve used in my kitchen a bunch is the Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3-QUART COVERED SAUTE PAN WITH HELPER HANDLE. I make all kinds of stuff in this favorite go-to. I know that I can be fearless with any of these pots and pans because they are going to give me the best results. Here is my Sauce Pan in action as I make Shakshuka, a lovely Israeli egg dish perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Shakshuka Recipe from Heather Thoming on Vimeo.

This Anolon Nouvelle Copper Nonstick 3-Quart Covered Saute is great for the stove top or in the oven, so it’s perfect for a dish like Shakshuka. It’s truly non-stick but can give a good sear thanks to their premium nonstick technology. You can even use metal utensils on the non-stick surface and not destroy the pan. It’s also oven safe up to 500˚.

So, take my advice. Invest in a good set of both cookware and bakeware and your time in the kitchen will be so much more enjoyable. No more frustration because you don’t have the right tools for the job. You might even discover a passion for the kitchen that you never thought you would have!

Shakshuka

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This simple Israeli dish served with bread will soon become a favorite in your home. It's easy to prepare for any time of the day and packs all kinds of amazing flavor!

Author: Heather // WhipperBerry

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Serves: 3-4 servings

Ingredients

2-3 teaspoons olive oil
½ of a large white or yellow onion
1 cup of diced sweet peppers
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large can of plum tomatoes whole, diced or crushed
5 eggs
feta cheese

Instructions

In a medium to large oven safe sauté pan over medium-high heat, add your olive oil and let it heat until it starts to shimmer.
Add your diced onion & peppers and let cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.
Turn down the heat to medium. Add the cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper & tomato paste. Cook for another 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the tomatoes. If they are whole tomatoes crush them with the back of your spoon or with a potato masher. Let simmer for 8-10 minutes. Again, stirring occasionally.
Remove pan from the heat and add 5-6 eggs. Place in a 375˚ oven for 7-10 minutes or until the eggs are set to your desired taste. Traditionally they are pretty soft, but it's up to you.
Top with feta and serve with a nice loaf of bread or pita.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Anolon. The opinions and text are all mine.

Road Trippin’ with the NEW Chick-fil-a One App

7 · Sep 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment

I’ve partnered with Chick-fil-A to create this post! Enjoy!

We’ve been road trippin’ quite a bite lately with the family and I’ll I’ve got to say is our kids have it MADE!!

Remember road trippin’ back in the day? No cell phones or iPads, no in-car video system… We were living large if we had a Walkman with our favorite mix tape!

Don’t even get me started with the in-car meals. Needless to say… Our kids are living large!

Our last road trip a few weeks ago, we up’d our game by using the new Chick-fil-A One app to help us find one of our favorite restaurants and quickly order our meal and get back on the road in record time.

First off, how many times have you been on a road trip or even driving around town and the need for a meal hits critical status? Humor me here, here’s a story problem for you…

Sally and Jim are taking a road trip with their family of 6. It’s time for lunch and Bobby wants 1 slice of pizza, Mike wants 2 orders of chicken nuggets, Suzy wants 1 salad with 0 tomatoes and Andy wants 1 cheese burger and 1 large fry. They spend 15 minutes in line at the Burger Hut, 25 minutes in line at the salad bar, 20 minutes at the Chicken Barn and 15 minutes driving to the Pizza Joint. How many people in Sally and Jim’s car will be happy at the end of the meal selection?

Yep, ever feel that way? I know we have at our house and on our road trips. We spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to decide where to eat and then trying to make everyone happy in the car. It’s a tremendous waste of time and money!

We have discovered a great solution and you may want to try out as well. One restaurant that we all love in our family is Chick-fil-A. For some reason, this is one of the few places that seems to be tops on everyone’s list which is PERFECT for when we are on the road together.

Chick-fil-A has made it even easier with their new Chick-fil-A One app. This app is so cool!! The first really cool feature is that you can use the app to help you find the closest Chick-fil-A. This is perfect for when you are driving through a new town, cruzin’ for some grub and to need to make it quick.

Open your app, click on the location icon and voilá… If there is a Chick-fil-A close by, it will show up on your map AND it will help you navigate to that location, SCORE!! Not only will it help you navigate, it will introduce you to the local manager right there on the app.

Then… Oh just you wait, I’m only getting started! You can actually place your order right in the app. Seriously, how many times have you corralled the whole family into a fast food restaurant and then had the most stressful 10 minutes of your day waiting in line, then trying to get everyone’s order, then find the most cost effective way to place said order only to totally forget what you needed to order when the guy at the register is finally ready for you? You’ve been there too? Yea, I thought so.

Check this out… All you have to do is navigate through the very intuitive menu on the app. Each family member can place their order and customize it just how they would like and BAM, your done! You haven’t even set a foot outside the car yet!

Ok, you’re not really finished. You still have to pay for your meal. This is super slick as well. You can actually preload the app with funds via your Apple Pay on your smartphone. Then you can pay for your meal without leaving the comfort of your car or waiting in the drive-thru line.

Now here’s another one of my favorite features… Once you’ve completed your order they will show you via the app where to pick-up your food inside the restaurant. Walk right on in, bypass the line at the registers and step right up and grab your food that is all ready and waiting for you.

This was PRICELESS on our road trip… It was so convenient and stress free!

Now, the time and stress saved should be gift alone but no, Chick-fil-A actually gives you special treats in the form of free food when you order from the Chick-fil-A One app. Yea, you earn cool stuff THE MORE you use the app. How cool is that?

The next time you’re driving around with the family and the hangries hit. Load-up your Chick-fil-A One app and take care of those hungry mouths to feed in record and stress-free time!

You can download the Chick-fil-A One app in the Apple Store and Google Play.

Review

The Cricut MAKER

Instructions for the DIY Fall Throw Pillow

Materials needed:

Directions:

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