MI-DEL Cookies Review and Giveaway

 When I think back to my childhood, I realize that I was a lot different from most of the kids I knew.  I was never a candy eater, but if you offered me certain cookies, you won me over!  I loved eating the choco-snaps and ginger snaps more than anything else.  While most of my friends were eating the creamy filling from their cookies, I was eating the cookies my parents had purchased for themselves.  Although I am all grown up, not too much has changed.  I'm still not a big candy eater, and I still like my "snaps!"  

I was recently offered the opportunity to try MI-DEL cookies.  Although it took me a while to actually locate them, now that I have found them...they are mine!    MI-DEL offers three different varieties, all-natural, organic and gluten-free cookies.  Each variety has delicious flavors, and they even offer wonderful choices for people who suffer from food allergies!

About MI-DEL:

Since 1947, MI-DEL has been satisfying the appetites of people like you who want snack products that are healthful, natural, and taste delicious. MI-DEL is a combination of old-fashioned recipes and new bakery methods that let us create better for you cookies that meet the latest health standards without giving up a yummy inch of taste.

I purchased the Chocolate Snaps, Ginger Snaps, and Lemon Snaps.  Yes, I know, all SNAPS, but hey, this is about ME this time!   I honestly cannot tell you which cookie is my favorite.  They are all natural and the perfect snack with a glass of milk or a cup of tea or coffee!  The chocolate were perfectly chocolaty, the lemon were delicious, and I loved the spice of the ginger!  I did offer Chefy and Future FBI a chance to sample one of each flavor.  (Then I misplaced hid them!)  Even though they liked all the flavors, Chefy preferred the Lemon Snaps and Future FBI preferred the Chocolate Snaps.  We have declared these cookies to be tasty and perfect for our family!  MI-DEL cookies have made me a very happy mom!!

Want to try these MI-DEL cookies yourself?  Simply enter below in the simple Rafflecopter form!  Three lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces readers will win coupons to try these delicious MI-DEL cookies! 

Eco Friendly Cars of Tomorrow

As fuel costs continually rise, this can only lead to a growth in the development and popularity of electric cars that can get you from A to B at a fraction of the cost. One issue with these cars has been the cost and for eco friendly cars to be the transport of tomorrow, this is something that will inevitably improve.

Technology with regard to these eco friendly cars is improving all the time and that means that the cost will undoubtedly start to lower. In a short space of time, even new electric cars will be in the price bracket of most families and as the new vehicles begin to age, a whole newmarket of  used cars.

The eco friendly cars of tomorrow will also have made significant improvements when it comes to the battery itself. Range and longevity have long been issues for any electric cars and while a range of 100 miles may be enough to cover most domestic journeys, you will quickly have to re-charge your battery, maybe several times a week.

As the new ranges of electric vehicles are released, the battery range will have improved considerably but there will also be a rise in the amount of charging stations across the world. At the moment, it is difficult to charge your car if you are away from home and while these charging stations do exist, they are a little difficult to locate. As the market for eco friendly cars increases, there simply has to be a rise in the number of these stations just to meet demand. 

Another issue has been with the life of the battery, which has been relatively short and a replacement comes at a high price. Once again, this will improve in a very short space of time.

Perhaps the biggest development in cars that are kind to the environment will come with the actual physical size of the vehicles themselves. At present, many of these cars are aimed at the 'super mini' market and technology has meant that smaller electric vehicles have been much more prevalent thus far.

If you want evidence that there will soon be a growing market for larger, even luxury vehicles, then you only need to consider the advances made by Rolls Royce. Here you have a name synonymous with high-end luxury and many consumers could be forgiven for thinking that Rolls Royce would be the last manufacturer to consider making an electric car.

However, at the Geneva Motor Show in early 2011, the producer unveiled a prototype of their Phantom.  This was a fully electric model and showed an underlying commitment from Rolls Royce to fully explore the electric car market.

A suggested price for the electric Rolls Royce Phantom hasn't been released but it may well be prohibitive for most drivers. However, with manufacturers such as Rolls Royce and Chevrolet joining the ever-growing eco friendly bandwagon, it gives you a clear indication of where this market is heading.  In the future, eco friendly cars will be cheaper, bigger and more comfortable on the inside. Their battery range and life will improve and this will all amount to a big breakthrough that sees most of us behind the wheel of cars like these.

**Special thanks to Helen P. with netcars.com who created this guest post for Shelly's Bits & Pieces**

Talking Becomes Cheaper With Straight Talk

This post brought to you by Straight Talk. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I lived in a larger city, I never had problems with cell phone reception, but when I moved out here to the country, that all changed!  You could be on one side of my house and the reception would be great, but if you moved ten feet, the call would be dropped!  GRRR!  After months of having dropped call after dropped call, a new cell tower has been erected just down the road from me!

During the time of my cell phone discontent, I have been doing research on different phones, companies, and the plans that are offered.  Many plans caught my interest, but one stood out among the rest!!  The plan that grabbed my attention is Straight Talk!  Straight Talk has everything you need to get the most bang for your cell phone buck!  I love that I can save money and I can get everything I want from my cell phone without having to sign a contract!!  WOOHOO!!  Contracts are for the birds!  I can save more money per month with Straight Talk than with a cell phone plan where I had to sign a lengthy contract!  It is a no brainer!  My mom has always told me to avoid contracts, and as always, mom knows best.

Some of the things I like most about Straight Talk are:
• There are no contracts, no surprise bills and no credit checks.  (Huge plus for me!!)
• Unlimited Monthly service is only $45, and includes calls, text, picture messaging, and web.  (Great price for unlimited!!!  Perfect for my texting addicted teenager!)
• 411 calls are included at no extra charge.  (This is perfect, because it never fails that we want to make reservations at a restaurant and forget to bring their number along!)
• Reconditioned phones are available from $10.00!  (This is ideal for the frugal side of me!)
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I love the fact that with Straight Talk, I can call a friend whenever I feel like it, and I don't have to worry about extra charges for running over on minutes!!

Know Where Your Kids Are? TracFone Can Help!

This post brought to you by TracFone. All opinions are 100% mine.

School bells are ringing once again as the kids have gone back to school.  My daughter is now a teenager, and she is constantly on the go.  Between after school activities, basketball games and practice, and spending time with her friends, keeping track of her whereabouts can be a nightmare.  With everything on her busy schedule, I knew it was time to get her a cell phone!  I have researched so much about different cell phone, plans and coverage areas that I could literally write a master's thesis on it!  I need a reasonably priced phone, with a good coverage area, with a decent amount of minutes, at a price I can afford.  I do not want to sign a contract either!    This is when I learned about TracFones and watched videos of  real TracFone customers.

The contract on my hubby's phone is ending in October, and we are considering changing our phones over to TracFones.  We do not like the long term contracts, like the one we are currently under, because if something happened and we couldn't continue using our phone, we'd still owe a large fee for breaking the contract.  With the economy like it is today, I don't know any family that can afford that!   

We are moving soon, and although we have landline service at the moment, we are considering doing away with it and going completely to cell service.  If we all get  TracFones, we can get great calling plans at affordable prices, with no contracts, credit checks, or activation fees!  Best of all, if I can't afford my TracFone, there is no cancellation fee!!  Another thing I like about TracFone is the actual price of the phones!  Since I need a no frills phone, I can get one for under $10.  My hubby and daughter both prefer phones with so many features like built in cameras, internet browsing capabilities, and even a slide out keyboard!  I can pick up one of those phones for as little as $29.99. 

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You can learn more about what real TracFone customers have to say by viewing some of the Youtube videos!  You might just be surprised at everything a TracFone has to offer!
 

What's New from Carmex Review & Giveaway

I have been a heavy lip balm user ever since I started junior high school.  I can remember using all the fun "kiddy" lip balms, and back then, I thought it made me grown up!  As I got older, I looked for other lip balms that would really help moisturize my lips and to keep them healthy looking.  About 10 years ago, my mother in law introduced me to Carmex, and I have been hooked ever since!

Carmex has introduced two awesome new items, an ultra moisturizing Carmex Lime Twist and Carmex Vanilla click sticks!  I was lucky enough to receive those items to review, along with a very cute picnic blanket and a Carmex Moisture Plus® clear satin gloss finish.  The Lime Twist immediately caught my attention, because I thought it sounded different.  My daughter, Future FBI, snagged it and has proclaimed it to be, "The absolute best lip stuff I've ever used!"  While she was content with the Lime Twist, I quickly opened the Vanilla and I LOVE it!  The vanilla scent is not overpowering and it makes my lips feel wonderful!  The Moisture Plus clear satin gloss was hidden inside of the pocket of the picnic blanket, and when I found it, I was thrilled.  I put some on over my lip stick and it actually helped maintain the lip color!  I like the idea of having the clear satin gloss, because sometimes, I want something on my lips that is without color and scent!  The fact that these great products have a 15 SPF is a huge plus to me as well!

Here's what's going to be in your kit:

• 1 Carmex Lime Twist click stick
• 1 Carmex Vanilla click stick
• 1 Certified Awesome Picnic blanket*
• 1 Carmex Moisture Plus® clear satin gloss finish

Want a chance to try these great items for yourself?  Thanks to the wonderful people at Carmex, one lucky Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader will win the same prize pack I received.  Simply enter on the rafflecopter form below! 

Wordless (or not) Wednesday

Future FBI and Ginger love to get their pictures taken.  I swear that whenever Ginger hears me turn on the camera, she turns around to be in the picture!!  LOL....My Hams!

Hmmm...Updates and Craziness

The last couple of days have literally been a blur.  We have been finishing up school shopping for Future FBI, and then we attended her 8th grade orientation!  My daughter begins her final year of middle school tomorrow...where does the time go?  Why they are starting on a Thursday is beyond me, but they are.  They will only go to school for 4 hours on Thursday and Friday,  but the school year will be officially underway! 

As we were out shopping on Monday, I received a call that my cousin had passed away.  He had been diagnosed with cancer about 6 weeks ago, and now he's gone.  Cancer has claimed the second male victim from my family since January(when my Papa died).  We really need to find a cure!  We are losing some wonderful people to that disease! 

On to Tuesday...while sitting at my parents home, everything started shaking and glasses rattling!  Who would have ever imagined we would be feeling an earthquake...in NC?  I expect the possibility when we visit Seattle, but never here!  I guess the Lord wanted to wake us up!

Hubby and I were prepping for some bathroom painting when we discovered some mold...this is certainly not a good thing.  This house was flooded in 1996 when Hurricane Fran came inland, and although it was cleaned and "certified liveable, " the entire flooring and wall structure was never removed.  After finding that mold, my hubby went on a "mold hunt" and found it in several other places!  Not good!!  We have now been instructed that we need to move.  According to my doctor, this probably is a contributor to my health problems!!  SO, things might get a little crazy over the next several weeks.  I already started packing, and I know we're gonna be crazy busy!  I promise the blog will not suffer!!  I'll make sure to keep it updated.

New reviews and giveaways are coming....I'll be putting one up this evening, after I come home from the funeral!  Thanks for reading and I hope everyone has a blessed day!!
Until Next Time,
God Bless You,
~~~~~Shelly~~~~~

Tastes From Home with Frito Lay Review and Giveaway

Nothing tastes any better to me than a good potato chip!  Lay's chips have always been my favorite, and recently I have more reasons than ever to snack on a Frito-Lay chip.  Frito Lay now offers a line of Regionally Inspired Flavors!!
"All of the Lay's Regional Flavored potato chips are made with all natural ingredients and cooked in healthier oils, like corn and sunflower oils, which contain 80% or more of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat - the "good fats." They also contain 0 grams of trans fats per serving!   There’s also less sodium in them than you might think – a 1-oz serving of our Lay’s Regional Flavored potato chips contains less salt than a plain bagel!"

The chips come in SEVEN regional favorites:

          o Northeastern U.S. – Lay’s Honey Mustard
          o Midwestern U.S. – Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch
          o Northwestern U.S. – Lay’s Balsamic Sweet Onion
          o Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch
          o Southeastern U.S. – Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice

          o Great Lakes Region- Garden Tomato and Basil
          o Eastern Region- Tangy Carolina BBQ

The Tangy Carolina BBQ is awesome!!  It has become our newest favorite!  We also tried the Garden Tomato and Basil chips and really liked the uniqueness of their flavor.  I really want to try the Creamy Garden Ranch, but it is not currently available in NC.  The name alone makes my mouth water...OK Frito Lay, you could at least make it available for a limited time here!!  My hubby is from the west coast, and he really wants to try the Balsamic Sweet Onion, BUT it is not available in NC either....BOO! 

In honor of the release of the regional flavored chips, I was asked to write about my favorite recipe that reminds me of the region I call home and the story behind it.  It took quite a lot of thinking on my part, because nothing reminds me more of home than food...Lots of different ones!  For my entire life, all our family celebrations have revolved around eating, most importantly, eating our favorite foods!  Since I was a child, my grandma has been the one who prepared the food for every large family get together.  Even now, at 83 years old, Grandma will be in the kitchen cooking each family member's favorite food.  Our favorites range from her turkey dressing to macaroni and cheese, or from a pig pickin cake to her delicious punch.

My daughter spends a lot of time with her great grandma, and she is learning all the secrets to preparing Grandma's delicious food.  They share a lot of laughter and bonding time while working in the kitchen.  It is something that Grandma and I would do together during my days spent with her as a child.

My daughter and I cook together often!  We have a great time putting our heads together, trying to figure out how to change recipes to suit our taste buds, and it is so wonderful to realize that we are creating memories.  These memories will last a lifetime!

When I cook for my family, and my extended family, the one dish I get the most requests for is my Macaroni and Cheese Casserole!!  I stick with this recipe, and it is always a big hit.  The recipe is taken from the one my grandma uses, I just added dry mustard and a little more cheese!  On nights that I want a quick and easy complete dinner, I've been known to add 2 cups of diced ham and a small can of peas to this recipe.   I decided to share this recipe with you!

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole (feeds 4)

Ingredients:

     8 ounces elbow macaroni
     2 tablespoons butter
     1/4 cup all-purpose flour
     1 tsp dry mustard
     2 cups milk
     1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese or Colby-Jack
     8 ounces cubed processed cheese food
    
Directions:

   1. In a large pot with boiling salted water cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain.
   2. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat melt butter or margarine. Whisk flour and dry mustard, stir vigorously. Add milk and cook until thick and bubbly, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add cheeses and stir until completely melted.
   3. In a large bowl mix together the drained pasta and cheese sauce mixture. Toss to coat evenly.
   4. Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Let stand before serving.


Are there any regional dishes that you like to prepare?  If you try my recipe, make sure you leave me a comment and let me know if you kept it the same, or how you made it your own!

Want to win a variety pack of our Lay’s Regional Flavors potato chips?  Simply enter below in the rafflecopter form!

Fiber One, Sams & Seneca Winners

The winners have been drawn for the following giveaways:

Fiber One Prize Pack #183 Crissy Durst

Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit #139 katklaw777

$25 Sam's Club Gift Card #176  merleandtina@*****.com

Thanks to everyone for entering!  All winners have responded!  These giveaways are now closed!
~~~~~Shelly~~~~~

Foto Friday: Simba and Ginger

More Winners!!

The winner of my $25 GC to My Baby Clothes Boutique is #78 Veronica L.

The winner of the $50+ in coupons and a surprise is #74, Polly!

Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations ladies!!!

Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit Review & Giveaway #MomSparkMedia

During the school year, making sure my family has something healthy for breakfast can be a nightmare.  The biggest problem we have is time!  If I get up and cook a big breakfast, no one wants to take the time to eat it.  Often, my daughter will run out of the door with only a granola bar.  Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit is about to change all that!   I received a box of Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit in Apple Cinnamon and a box of Vanilla Peach to try out with my family!

Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit just launched in April, and it is the perfect choice for anyone who has trouble finding time for breakfast in the morning. In less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee, only 45 seconds, you can heat the six-ounce cup in the microwave!  It is ready to heat and eat, no milk or water is necessary!  Looking for the health benefits?   Seneca's Oatmeal & Fruit has no trans fats or cholesterol, and is a great source of Vitamin C. 

Seneca Farms Oatmeal and Fruit is currently available in Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Peach, and can be found nationally at Walmart and at a wide variety of retail grocery stores.  For a detailed store list, visit www.seneca-farms.com.  Later in the year, Seneca Farms plans to expand its flavors with Oatmeal & Fruit Cranberry Apple, and Oatmeal – Maple & Brown Sugar.

I have never been an oatmeal eater.  Sorry!  I'm a Southern girl, and I grew up eating grits!  My daughter, Future FBI, on the other hand is like her daddy and will eat just about anything.  We sat down as a family to do a taste test of the Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit.  I was not sure what to expect, but here are our thoughts!  My daughter and hubby(Chefy) really liked the overall flavor of the oatmeal.  Sorry Apple-Cinnamon, but Vanilla Peach won the taste test.  Make sure you stir up the oatmeal thoroughly!  Lots of fruit had settled in the bottom, and we did not realize it until we had eaten over half of the first bowl!  Future FBI was happy with the cooking time and the ease of cleaning up.   Chefy was concerned about the amount of food in each container.  My daughter easily devoured 2 containers, and could have probably eaten three.  My hubby ate 2 without blinking an eye, and told me he could have eaten all four.  Me?  I took a bite out of each flavor before Future FBI devoured them!  My thoughts...well, the flavor was OK, but, I just do not like the texture of oatmeal.  If I had to eat it in a pinch, I could eat this! 

Overall, my family was pleased with the Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit.  Future FBI has requested the Cranberry-Apple flavor when it hits the market, and she did ask me to keep these on hand for busy mornings and after school snacking!   If I could change anything, it would be the size of the package.  I recommend a 10oz cup. 


Does your family skip breakfast?   

Did you know that*…

    * Nearly 60% of U.S. parents of children ages 3-17 admit that their child skips breakfast, with more than half of U.S. Moms wishing their child ate a more nutritious breakfast.

    * 58% of U.S. Moms say they skip breakfast regularly. 46% of Moms who skip breakfast say they do so because they do not have enough time to prepare or eat it.

    * 57% of single adults say the number one reason they skip breakfast is that they don’t have enough time to prepare it.

    * While 71% of U.S. adults agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, 67% of those admit to skipping breakfast.

*Results of 2011 Children's Nutrition Survey, conducted by Harris Interactive for Seneca Farms


Want to give Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit a try?  One reader will win a 2-pack of each flavor of Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit!  Simply fill out the rafflecopter form below. 

Wiggle Butts and the Diaper Changing Adventures

Well, I have been another blogging challenge from SocialMoms and this time they have partnered with Huggies!  My challenge is to tell you my tips and tricks for changing the diaper of a squirmy baby!   I have had plenty of experience in this area, so here are my tips!!

When I was 10 years old, I started baby sitting.  Most of the families I sat for used cloth diapers, so diaper changing was a nightmare for me.  I would often give a child a toy to hold onto while I changed them.  Sometimes it worked, sometimes not.  Little babies were a breeze for me to change, but my waddlers and toddlers were a nightmare.  No kid wants to stay still once they become mobile!  When disposable diapers became more prominent, changing diapers became a little easier, and less dangerous! 

Things changed a lot for me when I became a mom!  Every child is different!  Future FBI was a breeze when it came to diaper changing.  Little Man was a world class sprinter when he needed to be changed!  Now Little Bit and Princess Pickle are the perfect examples of kids that hate having to be still.  The Wiggle Butts know how to remove their diapers, and when they are wet, you will often find them streaking around the house.  When you actually get to change a diaper, sometimes you have to throw your leg across their body to keep them still.  Toys do not work!  Occasionally, Little Bit will set her sights on a necklace or Princess Pickle will see my glasses and try to grab them, but nothing comes easy when it comes to diaper time! 

A new ally for the Battle of the Diaper Change is on the horizon!  WOOHOO!  Huggies has recently released new Slip-On diapers.  These diapers are similar to Pull-On diapers for kids going through potty training, these however, are designed to do double diaper duty.  They will work like a pull-on as well as a traditional diaper. Using Huggies Slip-On diapers, I'd be much more likely to get Princess Pickle and Little Bit to stand still for a minute, instead of forcing them to lay down for a diaper change.

What are your tips and trick for the Battle of the Diaper Change? I’dappreciate any hints!!  I’m always looking for new battle plans!!


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Huggies blogging program, for a gift card worth $35. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Happy Birthday Daddy! I thank God for you everyday!

I have been a Daddy's Girl my entire life!  Everything my daddy ate, drank, watched on tv or did, I was wanting to either try or do!  Was I spoiled?  Probably, but I also knew that whenever Daddy spoke, you moved...immediately!  When I became a teenager, we butted heads a little more often, BUT...I still pretty much got away with things with Daddy. 

On August 16, 1985, my church group was in an accident while we were on a youth trip.  A tractor trailer truck hit our van and 3 people out of the 11 on the trip were killed.  My brother and I were injured, but the Lord was with us, and we both survived.  My daddy's best friend, our pastor, Mike Murphy, was killed.  Our accident occurred in Pennsylvania, which is quite a distance from our NC home.  My parents drove to the hospital there, and made it in record time.  I will never forget the look on my Daddy's face when he saw me!  He held me close for what seemed like hours, and told me how much he loved me.  This was the first time I had ever seen my daddy cry!  Although we had ALWAYS gone to church, other things held a higher rank of importance, until that day!  Things not only changed physically and emotionally, our family changed spiritually!  From that day, I noticed my daddy reading his Bible more, and he became more involved in church.  Outside activities mattered less, and his family and God mattered more. 

During the next 25 years, my parents started a music ministry, became Sunday school teachers, and volunteered constantly at church.  My daddy became an ordained deacon and then a lay minister.  He is now a licensed minister and is being ordained.  God has worked so many miracles in my life and in the lives of my family.  Our family has grown quite a lot during those years.  My parents are not only grand parents, but great-grand parents!  They continue to be involved in all our church activities and are such a blessing and a huge source of spiritual strength to our family and others. 

I've said all that to say:  Thank you God for blessing me with a wonderful family and for giving me a Daddy that loves his family, his church and you.  Happy Birthday Daddy!  I love you more with each passing day.  Thank you for always being there for me, loving me, and for continuing to guide me spiritually!   I love you!
Always!!
~~~Shelly~~~

My Baby Clothes Boutique Review & Giveaway

Princess Pickle is certainly growing fast.  Even though she is only 18 months old, she is taller than most of the 3 year old kids in her daycare.  She goes through clothes faster than our household goes through groceries, (Well, not quite!) and when I find something I like for her, I jump on it!  When I was offered the opportunity to check out My Baby Clothes Boutique, I was thrilled!  They have lots of adorable clothes and I was happy with the prices!

A bit about them:  There is nothing more precious than a little baby girl or boy.  At MyBabyClothes.com we strive to bring you the most fashion forward and unique baby clothes on the web, all at a Guaranteed Lowest Price!  Our team searches to find the cutest, most comfortable, and highest quality clothes and accessories available.  Our goal is to offer these unique and trendy boutique style clothes at affordable prices.  The My Baby Clothes Boutique customer service team is available to handle your questions and concerns.  Feel free to email, call, or instant chat us to ask any questions or place orders.  Don't forget to check out some of our cute accessories like baby hats, baby headbands, baby booties, unique baby socks and much more.

I fell in love with so many of the dresses and outfits!  Here are a few of my favorites: 

My thoughts:  When I first visited the My Baby Clothes Boutique website, I was immediately hooked!  There are so many beautiful dresses and outfits to choose from!  I literally was on the site browsing for over an hour.  The prices are competitive and FREE SHIPPING is more than a plus!  This is the dress I chose for Princess Pickle: 

Princess Pickle in the Bonnie Jean Watermelon Seersucker Dress

The dress was delivered quickly and the fit is generous.  I love buying something that fits, but allows for growing too!!  I will be returning to pick up some additional outfits for Princess Pickle, and some other adorables too!

Want to give My Baby Clothes Boutique a try?   Thanks to the generous people at My Baby Clothes Boutique, you can win a $25 gift certificate by simply entering below through rafflecopter. 

Oh My Goodness!

I'm working on a full weeks worth of reviews and giveaways right now, and nothing is completely ready to go. I'm having some camera issues...but the main reason I am not finished is that I was a church earlier, then I ate lunch with my Grandma's house. When my daughter returned from her beach trip, be immediately went to grab some school clothes on the last day of the tax free weekend. I'm just too pooped right now to finish my posts! I'll have a new review and/or giveaway coming everyday this week, so keep your eyes peeled!

'Til next time.....
God Bless You,
~~~Shelly~~~

$50+ in coupons & a surprise Giveaway-Back to School Giveaway Hop

Time has arrived for the much anticipated Back To School Giveaway Hop hosted by Tammilee Tips! In the spirit of this very special time of year, over 75 blogs have joined together to participate in this giveaway blog hop. Make sure you use the linky below to see what everyone has to offer...and ENTER!!

In my county in NC, school bells will be ringing and the kids will be heading back to their learning institutions on August 25th! When I was a kid, I was always excited to get out for summer vacation, but even more excited to return to school that fall. I always loved getting school supplies and new clothes, and I loved getting to see my classmates again! My daughter won't admit it, but she IS excited to be going back. She is an 8th grader, so this will be her last year of middle school.(Boy, do I feel old!!)

I've been doing back to school shopping, and saving money any way I can! The best way I have found to spend money is by using coupons, so I decided to share that with you! I am giving away over $50 worth of coupons to one Shelly's Bits and Pieces Winner! The winner will also be getting a special bonus prize, but I'm not saying what that is!! Interested? Simply fill out the simple rafflecopter form and you're all set! Thanks for stopping by!

Sam´s Club 6 Box Tops on a Pack Promotion Review & Giveaway

School starts on August 25th around here and it is time to start thinking about everything we need to buy for Back To School!!  I make a lot of my purchases at Sam's Club because I can grab school supplies, check out the computers, find some clothes and grab some groceries in one place!  Sam´s Club wants to remind you that it´s never too early to start collecting Box Tops. This year, Sam´s Club and Box Tops for Education can help you prepare for the fall when you shop their back-to-school event. I started clipping Box Tops for Education (BTFE) when my nephew was in elementary school (1996). He is now 23 yrs old and the father of two, so you can tell I'm an old pro at clipping by now! Since my daughter is in eighth grade this year, I want to go out with a bang, and send the most BTFEs ever! Sam´s Club is helping get me started this August with the 6 Box Tops on a Pack promotion. When you purchase participating Box Top items, you can collect even more Box Tops on some of your favorite General Mills brands such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Nature Valley Oats 'N Honey Crunchy Granola Bars, Totino´s Pizza Rolls, and more!  We purchase these products year  round, but when school starts, we use a LOT more!

Plan ahead and take advantage of the savings made simple at Sam´s Club. Your wallet - and your local school - will be thanking you!  With all the cuts to the education budget, our school's need all the help they can get.  Every BTFE is worth 10 cents for your school!  If everyone helps out, the money can add up!  To learn more about the Box Tops for Education Program and how you can help contribute to your school, visit www.boxtops4education.com.  Box Tops for Education has helped America’s schools earn over $400 million since 1996. You can earn cash for your child’s school by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. Box Tops also offers easy ways to earn even more cash for your school online! 

Want to help out your school?  One lucky Shelly's Bits & Pieces reader will win a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card, so they'll have the opportunity to grab some of these special boxes of General Mills products!  Fill out the rafflecopter form to enter!

Fiber One 80 Calorie Cereal Review & Giveaway #MyBlogSpark

Ever since I was a child, I have loved cereal. It is something I can eat everyday and never get sick of it! I try to eat healthy, but sometimes just the thought of eating one of those bland "healthy" cereals makes me sick. I was a little worried about that until I tried Fiber One 80 Calorie Cereal.

What they say:  With 40 percent of the Daily Value of fiber in one 80 calorie serving, Fiber One 80 Calories cereal can help curb your hunger, which can help you stick to your weight loss plan. With great-tasting Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, there is a new breakfast option that helps you feel satisfied without sacrificing flavor! Find out more on the Fiber One Facebook page, HERE.

My thoughts: The flavor of the cereal is sweet, but not too sweet. The texture is nice, and much better than I expected. Do Not allow this cereal to sit in milk any longer than necessary, because it did get mushy toward the end of my bowl. (Most cereals do)

Family thoughts: My hubby eats cereal dry, and he thought the Fiber One 80 Calorie Cereal had a nice flavor. My daughter grabbed a bowl and she liked the cereal, but it was a little sweeter than she expected.

All in all, we thought the cereal was good. Having 80 Calories is a plus. It is something we would buy again!

MyBlogSpark is offering one Shelly's Bits and Pieces reader the opportunity to receive the same prize pack I received!

Giveaway Winners!!.

Congratulations to my Christmas in July giveaway winners!!!  #110 Susan and #35 A Helicopter Mom were chosen by Random.org!!  Thanks to the organizers of the blog hop and thank you to everyone who entered!  I hope you'll drop back by again soon for another visit!!

Congratulations to #88 Shala for winning the $25 Home Depot e-gift card from cablemovers.com! 

Congratulations to #110 Farah Jo for winning my Honey Nut Cheerio Giveaway!  More great giveaways coming soon!

Thanks for entering!!


Til next time...
God Bless!
~~~Shelly~~~