Celebrating International Women's Day with The Walmart Bakery and Starbucks #DeliciousPairings #Cbias

Friday March 8th was International Women's Day.   I think as a women we SHOULD be celebrated and appreciated way more then we are.

Last week I was able to spend the day with a very special woman in my life, my friend Cheryl.   Between her busy family's schedule, my husband having surgery and the snowy winter we've had here in Connecticut, we haven't been able to get together in a long time.
  
Originally we had planned a lunch at my house to celebrate her birthday, but because of the threat of yet another snow storm we had to change it up a bit.   We decided to meet for a little shopping and lunch halfway between our two towns so that if the weather got bad, we could each quickly get home.  
It actually worked out perfect.  I was able to run into the local Walmart SuperCenter, which is like having a Walmart and a full grocery store all in one place.
Cheryl loves her coffee and baked goods, so I knew I could pick her up a little gift before meeting her for lunch.
First stop.....  The Bakery!    
 

 The bakery is full of yummy treats everywhere you turn and can I tell you, the smell was fantastic.  While walking around drooling over all the baked goods I came saw these Atlanta Bread Brownie Bites.    What woman doesn't love some chocolate?!
I grabbed a box of the plain for Cheryl.   I knew my husband wouldn't forgive me if I didn't bring him box of the walnut brownie bites and my son is a peanut butter lover, so those were coming home with me.

Cheryl LOVES her coffee, even more then she loves chocolate!  Starbucks is one of her favorite brands.  I don't normally go for Starbucks because they tend to have bold flavors.  I like a light roast, so it was always a turn off to me.    I had been hearing about this new roast from Starbucks called Veranda Blend Blonde.  It says it's mellow and soft.  (funny, I'm neither of those things)  So I grabbed a box of K-cups for Cheryl and a bag of grounds for myself.    From what I understand there was suppose to be a display about pairing the coffee to the bakery items, but unfortunately this store didn't have one of those.

 This is the reason I love Walmart, all in one stop I can buy coffee, baked goods, flowers and ribbon to put together a quick gift.

After a great lunch, I sent Cheryl home with her coffee and baked goods.    It was perfect we could both share a treat while snowed-in on Women's Day.

I couldn't wait to try the new Blonde Roast from Starbucks, so when I got home I brewed a much needed cup of coffee and opened the box of brownie bites.  I was pleasantly surprised that the coffee was not overpowering.  At that point I thought it tasted just as good as the coffee I had been buying until......

The next day I made my regular morning coffee and out of habit just grabbed the brand that was in the fridge.    I instantly knew the difference.   I honestly didn't think that a brand of coffee mattered that much because I add flavored creamer.   Well, I am now a convert.  

Did you celebrate International Women's Day?  Did you even know it was a day?  It's not too late, It's NEVER too late to celebrate a special women or even celebrate yourself!  Girls Rule!


I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DeliciousPairings

#BagItFoward 2012

I was so excited to be able to be a part of Elmer's #BagItFoward campaign this year.   When I found out I was chosen to donate some quality school supplies to a teacher or student of my choice, I knew exactly the person.  
I have a friend Dora who is a Special Education teacher in our middle school.   She has a classroom of about 15 kids (6th-8th grade) who mostly have behavior issues and can't be main streamed all day.   Her job is a tough one.   The students in her class not only have behavioral issues and learning disabilities, some of them don't have good home environment.  Dora is GREAT with them, she loves them all like a teacher, mom, big sister and an aunt would and should.
I emailed Dora to let her know I was donating supplies to her, she was so overwhelmed and grateful.  I asked her to make a "wish list" and sent her the link to the Elmer's website so she could get some ideas.  She said she really needed things so she and the kids could work on projects together.    She loved the Painter's Paint Pens (and so do I), glue sticks and glitter glue.  The rest was up to me... yay!

I went to Walmart to check out what I could get.

Glue, Glue and more Glue....  Perfect for any and all kinds of projects.   

 On Dora's "wish list" was glitter glue, Painter's paint pens and stencils so her and her students could do projects together.    The swirl glitter glue is so cute, but I think we all know what my favorite Elmer's product is.... the Painter's Paint Pens!  love, love, love, love, love...

  Here's Dora (Mrs. Carr to her students) with her basket of goodies.   We delivered it right to her classroom while she was getting it all ready for the 1st day of school.   If you want to read and see more photos from this shopping trip, you can check out my Google+ story.

Now, I have to tell you a few more things about Elmer's new App called "Elmer's 1st Day of School" 

For every photo uploaded, Elmer’s will donate one product to The Kids in Need Foundation

(KINF) up to 200,000 products.  When I uploaded my photo of my son and grandson on their 1st day of school this was the number of donations to date.    I'm sure it's way more then that by now!  

I urge you to go download the app and upload your photos!  It's an awesome and easy way to give to kids in need.    

Here's a list of links that you just HAVE to go check so you can see for yourself 

 how awesome Elmer's is! 

• BagItForward.org http://bagitforward.org/
• Elmer’s on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Elmers
• Elmer’s on Twitter http://twitter.com/elmers
• Bag It Forward on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/cbsocially/bag-it-forward/

• 1st Day App download http://the1stday.com/walmart

Happy 1st Day of School Everyone! 

“I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and and Elmer’s.  #BagItForward #CBias #SocialFabric”

Welcoming A New Puppy To The Family #ILoveMyK9

Not too long ago, my stepson Jason came over and said.. "Come out to my truck, I have something to show you."   Sitting in the front seat of his truck was a PUPPY!  His girlfriend Becky bought the puppy for him as a surprise!  Jason lost a dog that was left to him by a good friend who passed away and I think Becky thought this would help fill the void.  
His name is Diesel.  He is such a little spaz but a cute spaz.  He is part husky and part, I-don't-know-what.  If you look closely, he has two different color eyes.   Cool, right?
Last year we also lost a  dog, so it was nice to have a puppy around.
Diesel doesn't live here at my house.  Honestly, I'm not sure I could handle a puppy myself right now.
We have Como, a 5 yr old cream colored standard poodle.   We got him last summer after our black standard poodle Stewie was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away.   Cosmo is actually Stewie's nephew.  My inlaws called the breeder where they bought Stewie about 7 years ago to ask if there were any puppies in Stewie's blood line.  They told them that they didn't breed anymore but that they had a dog related to Stewie that needed a new home.  So we drove out there and met him. He was so sweet,  we couldn't help but bring him home!  Cosmo was a bit skittish at first, as you can imagine.  I'm sure he didn't understand why he was in a new home.  Cosmo grew up in a kennel with other dogs, not in a house with people fawning all over him.  It didn't take him long at all to get used to being spoiled rotten. 
When Cosmo first met Diesel they played like two little puppies even though Cosmo is twice Diesel's size.

I thought it would be a good idea to head to Walmart to pick up some puppy supplies to welcome Diesel to the family.  So off I went...

The first product I'm drawn to is Milk-Bone.  We all know and love Milk-Bone products, right?

Of course I went for the box with the husky dog on it, but then saw the Trail Mix and thought "that was different."

The Milo's Kitchen treats are so cute, they look like actual food.   The meatballs are round, the grilled chicken strips even have the black grill marks on them.   We HAVE to try some of these!

Then there was the Pup-Peroni products.  What dog isn't going to like these?  There is even a new Mix Stix that I grabbed for Diesel (and Cosmo) to try.

Now it's home to get the "Welcome Basket" ready...

I got a lock top bin to keep all of Diesel's snacks and toys in and of course I had to personalize it with his name.   I've learned the hard way, you have to keep this stuff in a sealed container so they can't get into it.

Welcome to the family, Diesel

For my whole shopping trip and everything else I bought for Diesel, check out my story on Google+.

On Facebook you can Like Milk-Bone or if you are on Twitter, you can follow Milk-Bone @MilkBone and Pup-Peroni @PupPeroni .

*Disclosure*

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric”

Burlap & Painters Paint Markers #ExpressYourself

Right now burlap is hot, hot, hot.   Well, at least in my world it is. I just LOVE it!
So when I was given the opportunity to come up with a project using Elmer's Painters Paint Markers, I knew exactly what I was going to use them on.   I've used these markers for a long time now.  I use them for all sorts of projects from home decor to personalizing gifts to make them a little more "special."
I've used them on just about every surface except burlap. (duh, don't know why I didn't think of it sooner)
I ran to my Walmart to get all my supplies.   Burlap, Elmer's Painter Paint Markers and a frame.
I'm making this sound so organized and quick, but believe me I hemmed and hawed over what project to do! (Note to self: STOP OBSESSING)   Ok, so here I am at Walmart and I have to be very "ninja like" because some employees in my store don't like it when I take pictures.

Look at all the different colors they have to choose from!  I really love that you can buy a single marker. At my store the singles are $1.97.  I knew I was only going to need the black for this project. It was nice not to have to spent $9.97 for a set of 5 mixed colors.  (even though I know I would probably use them in the future)

Whewww.. no one hounded me about my picture taking!  Now, it's home to get crafty!
First I decided to make a vase and since I just love to personalize things... yup you guessed it, I'm stenciling a "V" (for VanDeusen) on my burlap.  I used a glass pickle jar I washed out and saved.  It was so easy and quick.  Less mess then using a paint and brush to stencil! I did put a folded paper towel under the burlap so the paint wouldn't go through to my table.  

My next project was to make a framed HOME sign for a shelf unit in my living room.
First, I spray painted the frame black to match my other stuff.  Next, I took it all apart and covered the back part with the burlap. I stenciled "HOME" with my paint markers.  I drew the squiggle under HOME free-hand.  Then, I put the frame back together.   EASY PEASY!

ALL DONE! 

I really think Elmer's has some great products for all sorts of craft and home projects!   You should totally check them out on Facebook, Twitter and their site at Elmers.com 

Have you made any projects using burlap or the Painters Paint Markers?   I'd love to see them!! 

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as a social shopper inside study for Collective Bias.  #CBias #SocialFabric #ExpressYourself