Tiny Prints Holiday Cards

Are you thinking Christmas yet? 

Only 2 more months!

 I like to plan ahead and order my cards as early as I can so I can drop them in the mail on December 1st. And with so many choices of Tiny Prints Holiday Cards, I need some lead time to see all the new options and figure out exactly what kind of card I want. Cards now come with so many options! I can change the color of the font or the size of the card or the type of card. But not only that, there are all kinds of new time options  that include square, rounded, bracket, ticket and scallop trim. Plus there is the new design styles for 2013 that include Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder and The New Tradition.

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I want to share with you some of the options I am considering for our holiday card this year. I have to admit that I am all over the place on choices. I have yet to decide if I want a flat card or a tri-fold or one that doubles as an ornament. Or do I want one that is sophisticated or playful? So many choices!

Merry Happy Moments

I just love the square shape of this card contrasted by the circles in the background of the words. It feels to me like this one is a sort of playful sophistication but being just a bit different with the square shape.

There is are also matching address labels and and envelope liners that can be ordered to accompany the holiday cards.

Spray of Glitter

I think it can probably go without saying why this one made my top five list. It's dual purpose! It is both a card and an ornament. We could be on the trees of all our friends and family.

Tender Tidings

So, this one is pretty classic in the form and layout, but it is also super affordable and it might be an appealing option depending upon how many cards we choose out send out this year.

Blissful Blizzard

This one made my top five list because it is a tri-fold. I have not ever received a tri-fold holiday card, and I am thinking I might want to be the first one to send one out.

The Naughty List

This one is definitely at the top of my list. I can't picture my two kids on the front this card, perhaps even our whole family of four. I also love the rounded edges of this card. There is just something about changing the edges that makes the card feel much more expensive, but it isn't.

Or maybe you are not thinking about cards, but instead gifts are on your mind. Don't forget that Tiny Prints Holiday Photo Gifts. Do you know someone who would love an iPad case, iPhone Case, Acrylic Tray, or perhaps an ornament or a mug?

I will be given the opportunity to review my own set of Tiny Prints holiday cards in exchange for this post.No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Try It Tuesday: Paper Mache Monster or Alien Masks

Just when I thought we had finished our Monster Theme for Preschool-at-home and moved on to another theme, my son asks if we can make monster masks. So, I thought we would make it a multiple step project that he can participate in and end up with a mask for both his sister and him to decorate.

To start out we made a paste of white flour and water, just by whisking the two together to the desired consistency.

Then we took strips of torn newspaper and dipped them in the paste and smoothed them over a blown up balloon.

After we covered the balloon with a couple layers, we hung it from a light fixture over our kitchen table to dry. I did put some cardboard under it to catch any drips.

After they were dry, we popped the balloon and took it out. Then using a pair of scissors I cut the cast in half. I let each kid draw on their own features an then I cut them out.

Next I took an elastic headband (got them 6/$1 at the dollar store) and cut it so it made a long elastic piece. Then I stapled it to the mask and covered the inside where the staples were with some tape to keep from getting caught in hair.

Then it was painting time. Both kids got to painting with acrylic paints. My daughters painting plan was to paint her base coat and then to a clear glaze with glitter over the top. My son painted his base coat and then when it was dry I painted on crackle medium and let that dry and then painted silver (his choice) over the top of that so that you mostly see silver buy the purple and green show through the cracks.

You might be able to click on the picture to make it bigger to see the crackle effect. I got out a variety of supplies for the kids to choose from and hot glue on to their masks. I did the gluing but they told me where and they put the pieces on.

Supplies they used were feathers, plastic jewels, sponges (they cut up them up the way they wanted), glitter glue and gift confetti (or whatever that stuff is called.)

My daughter had done a little better job making sure the eyes lined up so she could actually see out of both eyes on her mask. The kids don't actually plan to use them but instead have them hanging in our dining room with other Halloween decorations.

Make It Monday: Southwestern Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

One of my favorite things about carving pumpkins (be sure to check out our creations this year) is that we have an abundance of seeds to roast. This recipe fits perfectly in the clean eating or paleo lifestyle. If you are looking for something sweet, then try my Sugar and Spice Pumpkin Seeds Recipe. Or maybe you want to use the pumpkin too, then read my post on How to Bake a Pumpkin.

Southwestern Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 1/2 C pumpkin seeds, rinced and dry
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp celery salt
1/8 tsp hot sauce
1 1/2 tsp grapeseed oil (or your oil preference)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  
• Combine all seasonings and oil in small dish
• Pour seasoning mixture over bowl of pumpkin seeds and stir until well coated
• Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet
• Bake for 15-20 minutes
• Allow to cool before serving
• Enjoy!

Video Review: Glasstic Water Bottle

I did take a couple picture of the Glasstic Water Bottle to show you, but I thought this review would be best done as a video review because there were so many features it was easier to show you in a video than taking pictures and having to read. I received the pink water bottle to review, but there are several other colors to choose from as well as some patterns. Right now the prices range from $14.99-$16.99 (most are $14.99) on Amazon, but you can get 15% off using the coupon code below. They also have FREE prime shipping (I love having prime shipping!)

All my readers can get a discount on their purchase of a Glasstic Water Bottle from Amazon

Please use Amazon Coupon Code: 9GE47TZC

My Thoughts:

I have had the Glasstic Water Bottle for about a week now to review and I really like it. I used refillable water bottles constantly. They are pretty much a necessity when I am working out 5-6 days a week, but it's not only there that I use them. I always take along a filled water bottle with us in the car no matter where we go and have one sitting on the table next to my chair when I am watching TV or on the computer.

I think the look is attractive in a simplistic sense, but there is also some pattern choices if you like that too. It is a little heavier than my BPA-free plastic water bottles, but I only use it to have next to me when I need it. However, it is designed to be carried comfortably for a 2 mile walk. I really like that it does have a lock on it. No one wants there water to spill open, especially when you are carrying it on it's side in your gym bag.

I like that is is glass, for several reasons! Glass seems to clean better in my dishwasher than my plastic bottles, which sometimes I find residue from cleaning sticks to and I have to rinse out. I did not have have to give this glass bottle an additional rinse. Glass also cleans free of smells more easily than plastic in my opinion and my water tastes fresher longer.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Ozeri Stainless Steel Earth Pan

If you have been a follower of my blog for a long time or even a short time, you have come to realize that I cook most of our meals at home. But you don't have to cook as much as I do to be concerned about what your cooking products are adding to your food. Some times it is hard to keep up with all the things used in cooking products that can be toxic and remembering those complicated names is challenging and we might only remember that they once said that non-stick pans were "bad" and we should find alternatives, which is what we did. That "bad" toxin that is under investigation is PFOA, which is PerFluorooctanoic Acid.

Ozeri Stainless Steel Earth Pan is free of PFOA, cadmium and lead AND has a non-stick coating (ETERNA - a USA made coating) and that is important to me when I cook for my family. I find that the best test of the effectiveness of a non-stick pant is to cook eggs in them. I have made eggs in the a half dozen times since receiving the pan to review. It made beautifully fried eggs that did not stick to the pan.

These next two pictures are so that you can see what the pans looks like on both sides when it is empty. I was reviewing a 10" pan, which I find to be the perfect size to make 4 fried eggs in, saute veggies or brown a pound of ground turkey or beef in.

The pan is also oven safe to 500 degrees, although I have not had the opportunity to test that out. I don't normally use my pans in the oven, just on the stove top. I do want to say that I love the handle on the pan. It is a nice solid handle that feel good to hold and is sturdy and fits nicely in to my grip. It always amazes me when I try out a product and I find a feature that I just love and was not aware that I cared about that feature before, but I really like how the handle on this pan feels when in use.

You can BUY OZERI STAINLESS STEEL EARTH PAN from Amazon. Currently it is $34.95, but we all know how prices on Amazon fluctuate.

Product Description from Amazon:

• Features ETERNA, the world's longest lasting 100% PFOA-free non-stick coating developed in the USA.
• Made of the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel with TriPly construction and a polished mirror exterior. 
• Eco-friendly pan delivers unprecedented non-stick performance without releasing harmful fumes or toxins at high temperatures. 
• Scratch-resistant coating allows for super easy cleaning, while remaining free of PFOA - a harmful chemical used in making traditional cookware. 
• Boasts a comfortable heat-resistant stainless-steel handle reinforced to the pan via 3 rivets, and a magnetized base for use with rapid heat transfer induction stoves.

It sauteed my veggies for a homemade spaghetti sauce just beautifully. I also browned ground turkey in here for taco meat and it worked perfectly.

A few things to note about the Ozeri Stainless Steel Earth Pan that are in the user's guide:

• Use only butter, olive, vegetable, coconut or other natural oils in the pan. Non-stick sprays are not recommended because they may contain additives.
• Do not pour cool water in the pan when it is hot as it can cause cracking.
• It is recommended you handwash the pan with hot soapy water, but it can be put in the dishwasher but be aware the dishwasher detergents can be harsh and contain perfumes, dyes and other additives

I look forward to my continued use of this pan as it is working really well for us right now.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fitness Friday: Taper Time

Last Sunday, my running partner for this half marathon and I ran our last long run of 11 miles and now we have begun the taper until race day. I did a 3.11 mile run on my own, which ended up being my fastest 5K time ever at an 8:31 average pace. We also ran 4.16 together this week. In between, it's yoga for strength and flexibility.

This Saturday I will have a 6 mile run to do, which really starts to seem short even though it totally isn't, when your long runs have been much longer than that for so long. Then it's just a 2.5 mile and a 3 mile run during the week next week and lots more yoga and maybe some walking if I find a walking partner, just to stay loose.

With this being my second half marathon, I am feeling more prepared mentally and physically for the race for many reasons. The part I am nervous about is the weather. Ugh! For my first half we were training in the winter and doing outside runs in the cold and on snow and then ran in beautiful running weather (it helped we drove 6 hours south for that run.) This time we have been running mostly in beautiful running weather and it's going to turn cold right before the race.

I have lots of friends running a half marathon this weekend and they are mentioning snow. Eeeek! And then the temps continue to slowly drop through the next week and one forecast model even calls for A LOT of snow around my race day.

Us Minnesotans are hearty when it comes to the weather, but we do like to complain in the fall when it starts getting cold. 30 in October feels very different than 30 in January (or even May, if you remember we got an incredible 18" dumped on us at the beginning of last May which is totally not normal).

Time to dig out my running tights and start figuring out layers.

Warner Bros. Spook-Tacular Movie GIVEAWAY!

What is the best part about Halloween?

The pumpkin carving? The costumes? The free candy? All are amazing, but whether you are the bunch that loves dressing up and scaring the neighbors or you plan to stay-in, Warner Bros. has a line-up of Spook-Tacular Movies to get you in the holiday spirit. From classics like It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown & Scooby-Doo The Goblin King to Adventure Time – Jake the Dad, you can count on a spook-tacular selection that the entire family can enjoy!

Before you and the kids take the neighborhood by storm, get in the mood by sharing some spooky stories! Download copies of the Spook-Tacular Story Time PDF, fire up the flashlights, and gather in a circle..... this Halloween it's STORY TIME! Perfect for kids ages 7 to 73! Scroll down for the Download Link.

ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN A RANDOMLY CHOSEN WB DVD

ENTER RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW

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Each household is only eligible to win 1 WB Spook-Tacular Family Movie [CHOSEN AT RANDOM] via blog reviews and giveaways. 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.

IWAS GIVEN NOTHING TO REVIEW OR IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS POST. NO MONETARY COMPENSATION WAS RECIEVED. I DID THIS POST SO THAT MY READERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN THIS PRIZE.