So I have been out of the loop I must admit. I felt it was necessary to take a bit of a vacation from my blog however I came across a really neat project that I wanted to be a part of so I will be posting about that for a while. What is it you ask?
Foodie Pen Pals. With a name like that how can you resist right?
So I signed up and got my first package from my foodie pen-pal in Indianapolis, IN. Tara from treble-in-the-kitchen. It included this nice note from Tara. She also made a special effort to make sure I received it before we left on our trip to Disney World.
She seems like a very sweet girl and she sent me an awesome bag of custom popcorn. Popcorn is one of my very favorite snacks. She even sent a need email to make sure she got something that I would absolutely love. She succeeded.
Indie Flavor. Love it!
To find out more information on Foodie Pen Pals go to The Lean Green Bean.
Here is the skinny:
-On the 5th of the month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
- Foodie Penpals is open to US, Canadian residents & UK residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa. So, I’m going to keep two separate lists and match US w/ US and Canada w/ Canada!
We recently let Graysen watch Alice in Wonderland. She loved it. In the newer non cartoon version the charters always say how Alice is not the “right Alice”. Since watching the film Graysen has really been wanting a good Alice in Wonderland costume so I turned to my friends at Wholesale Halloween Costumes for some help!
Wholesale Halloween Costumes had this great Deluxe -Alice in Wonderland Costume. Graysen absolutely LOVES it! Her first words upon trying it on were “Mommy, I’m the right Alice!”.
The costumes at Wholesale Halloween Costumes are priced great so with Halloween just around the corner I will have to shop for some of the other Disney Girl’s Costumes that they carry. I see a Rapunzel costume in the near future.
I enjoy seeing how much Graysen love to dress up and play pretend and I love knowing these costumes are high quality and will last a few years.
1. [jacket: old navy: trench: $50]
2. [top: oasis: stripe short sleeve boatneck: $17]
3. [skirt: house of fraser: vera moda: $41]
4. [handbag: handbag heaven: heather hobo: $52.95]
5. [necklace: asos: talullah tu beaded collar necklace: $43.91]
6. [shoes: dsw: alisa pump: $45]
7. [sunglasses: sunglass warehouse: cat eye style: $14.95]
Olivia typically favors a traditional, preppy style, which is perfect for the classic lady. Navy is a classic “traditional” color and the nautical stripes paired with the jacket and skirt are ooo la la lovely. Olivia knows how to layer and her necklace brings just the right amount of attention to her striped top. Get the outfit for a price you can handle and look preppy inspired a la Olivia.
1. [jacket: h&m: blazer: $33]
2. [top: old navy: ruffled top: $19.50]
3. [handbag: handbag heaven: irene doctor satchel: $59.95]
4. [shorts: h&m: white denim shorts: $21]
5. [shoes: asos: lace pointed court shoes: $38.42]
6. [tights: blue fly: betsey johnson tights: $20]
7. [sunglasses: sunglass warehouse: cat eye style: $14.95]
When Olivia isn’t sporting her traditional preppy garb, she keeps things simple with super chic black. Airing towards classy not trashy, she takes the fashion-foward route by pairing opaque black tights with her cuffed white jean shorts. Translate this look with any pair in your closet and wear shorts into fall. Olivia also knows how important the “visual line” is and she breaks up her all-black look with the contrast of white shorts. Her legs also look extra long thanks to her black tights and black shoes, for the same reason fashion experts recommend wearing nude shoes to elongate your legs.
Olivia certainly knows how to mix fashionable trends with classic pieces. She always looks fresh and polished and is great inspiration for any fashionista!
Author Bio: I’m a true fashionista at heart, and I love sharing my thoughts on fashion and personal style in my fashion blog. In my day job I write for TravelProducts.com and enjoy sharing great seasonal travel tips with other travel lovers. I’m currently planning my honeymoon with my fiance and can’t wait to mix my love of fashion (hello! honeymoon wardrobe!) and travel.
The Medela Event went off without a hitch. We had a great time and many prizes were acquired.
The grand prize winner was Kevynn. Doesn’t she look happy! She just won $350.00 worth of Medela merchandise. I’d be happy too!
We had great fun and great food.
Some of the girls, excited with their winnings!
It was a success! Thank you Medela and Mommy Parties for this great event!
Owning an automobile that is fun to drive can be the difference between loathing your daily commute and anxiously awaiting it. Getting behind the wheel of a new car that is built with performance in mind can be a thrilling experience. Here is a short list of automobiles released in the current calendar year that are sure to make your tiny neck hairs stand on end.
Audi A8

Over the past few decades, Audi has been quietly staking its claim in the realm of luxury automobiles, merging splendid German engineering with technological advancements that would make an alien spaceship jealous. The 2011 version of the A8 benefits from an eight speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. An air suspension system provides top-notch handling that is ideal for weaving down a coastal highway on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The comfort of the cabin is enhanced by heated seats that are capable of massaging drivers as they effortlessly glide down the road.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI

The 2011 Impreza is what would happen if you isolated a rally car and a luxury automobile in a garage while a Barry White album played softly in the background. With the WRX STI, Subaru has successfully created a car that blends the reliability and power of your father’s generation with the style and moxie of the modern era. Any opportunity to get behind the wheel of an Impreza should be seized immediately. With a wide wheel base, highly-responsive handling and a large helping of torque, this vehicle is well prepared to handle any terrain.
Dodge Challenger
The state of the American economy has taken luxury automobiles out of the spotlight in recent years, but Dodge continues to crank out excellent sports cars, including the 2011 Challenger. Powered by a 6.4 liter engine and 470 horsepower, this car gives off a patient gurgle while idling and roars into action when asked. Excellent for people looking to quickly increase their blood pressure, the Challenger dominates the road and commands attention by way of a sleek design and two thick racing stripes that extend over the top of the car like permanent ribbons on gift.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

No list of anything involving automobiles is complete without a pony. Ford’s most recent rendition of its flagship vehicle combines the mystique and boldness of past models with modern innovations of the past two decades. A quick pop of the hood reveals an immaculate 5.4 liter engine that is largely comprised of high-grade aluminum, which lessens the weight of the engine substantially, increasing horsepower, handling and gas mileage. Multi-colored leather racing seats put drives in the middle of a cabin that feels more like a jet cockpit. Traditional odometers keep drivers informed without overwhelming them with lights and stats. Driving a 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is an opportunity to experience American auto making at its finest.
Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the automotive, insurance, and tech industries for three years. Last year when Nicole decided to purchase a new car she made sure to search for the best deals on auto insurance to save money and have the best car coverage possible. She found the best coverage while searching online.