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Tie Tech: The Digitwirl Father’s Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day Gift Guide – Need I even say it? Ties are so passé, it’s not even funny. Unless your dad is rooted firmly in the dark ages, chances are he’ll want a little less “tie” and a little more “high tech” this father’s day. A little clueless about what the man wants? No worries— here’s a parade of the latest and greatest dad-friendly gadgets and apps.

father's day gift guide for tech lovers

Father’s Day Gift Guide for tech lovers

You can view the slideshow over on the Digitwirl site to see ALL of the awesome picks – Father’s Day Gift Guide. But here are a few of my total favorites from their list of super cool gadgets and gear that will be perfectly suited for any dad in your life this Father’s Day. I found great gifts for my brother, my dad, Abby’s daddy, and even grandpa! I call that smart shopping – thanks Digitwirl!

  • Is it cold in here? Not anymore, thanks to the Nest Learning Thermostat. It’s easy to program, but it’s so much more— it actually learns your habits, and creates your home’s unique thermal profile that helps you save energy. Plus, it’s beautifully designed so that while dad will love it for it’s utter geekiness, full of knobs and buttons that make it intimidating. Is it cold in here? Not anymore, thanks to this sweet gadget.
  • Grillin’ Guy: If your man has a thing for setting meat on fire, the iGrill Digital Grilling Thermometer will be the way to his heart. This digital probe thermometer tracks the internal temperature of whatever you’ve got cooking and let’s your iPad or iPhone know when it’s cooked to perfection. Now you can mingle with your guests and never worry that you’re dinner’s too raw or charred beyond recognition.
  • You say Nikki Minaj. He says Nikki Sixx: You say Deadmau5, he says Doobie Brothers. Before you call the whole thing off, get a Spotify Premium Membership. Millions of tracks from all decades, available for streaming on any device. The free version is cool, but premium gets you better sound quality, no ads, and the ability to listen offline.
  • Capturing Memories: If dad’s idea of a good time involves extreme weather or extreme sports, he’ll want a camera that can keep up with his adventures without getting in the way. He can mount the ContourROAM Hands-free HD Camcorder to his helmet, handlebars or ski tips and then, with the push of a button, capture beautiful HD video from a unique first-person perspective. When he’s done being a daredevil, he can strap it to the stroller and capture your toddler eating ice cream on the way home from the parlor. Priceless.

Check out all ten great gift ideas in the slideshow on the site. And for more of the coolest Father’s Day ideas, check out my Pinterest board. You’ll find loads of “Manly” recipes featuring bacon, cheese, and beer. Super sweet crafts and gifts that kids can create for dad. And cool gift ideas that you can order online to surprise your special mister.

What are YOU getting the special dads in YOUR life this year? Share some fun ideas in the comments!

carley knoblock bioDigitwirl is the weekly web show that offers simple solutions to modern day problems. In 3 minutes, Digitwirl brings busy women the very best time, money, and sanity-saving technology, and then teaches them how to use it, step-by-step. Digitwirl was created by technology lifestyle expert Carley Knobloch, who uses lots of technology to manage her busy life as mom of two and entrepreneur. Become a subscriber to get weekly show alerts and exclusive deals at Digitwirl.com, or follow Digitwirl on Twitter at @digitwirl.

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Posted by on June 13, 2012 Filed Under: Holidays | 4 Comments

Weekly Bloggertunities for Mom Bloggers – 6/14

mom blogging tips and leads

“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready…” – Will Smith

Love this quote. And I’m feeling more “ready” than ever after spending a few days with some of the most kick-ass bloggers around at Reviewer’s Retreat a couple weeks ago! Seriously – I learned tons of great tips and tricks, connected with some amazing ladies that I was so excited to meet in real life, and the excitement and energy from all of those awesome people really motivated me to bump my blogging up a notch! I had to travel for over 12 hours to get home again last week, then took a couple days to rest and help my poor house recover from being left alone with just the men to keep it clean, lol. But – I will be doing a recap of my session – Grow Your Audience – with a little more info thrown in. And I’ll pull out my notes from the event, and share some of the other great info that I learned during the weekend too. Stay tuned! {Want to head to some cool conferences this year too? Check out this Blogging Conference List for 2012}. Until then, check out my round up of cool stuff to help you increase your earnings, connect with new brands and bloggers, and cool tools to help you save time. As always – if you have any great event sign ups, linkys to share, blogging articles to help, or affiliates not listed here – PLEASE feel free to share them in the comments. The more you guys share, the more everyone benefits! And to make sure you never miss these weekly opps, take a minute to sign up for my email subscription. Thanks for reading!

Monetize Your Blog

  • Referred Media: I just joined them a couple of weeks ago – {I’d been hearing about them for ages, and just finally took the time to check it out!} – I’ve heard good things, and am excited to check it out a little more. Refer partners to Referred Media!
  • Paper Coterie: These are the prettiest paper products you will ever find… Seriously, incredibly creative picks. I’m crazy in love with their photo-cover planners! Sign up for their easy peasy affiliate program {runs just like Escalate} – and earn when you share their fun seasonal promotions and pretty products!
  • Izea: They have a lot of different options for monetizing your blog – I don’t use the ads, but I love Social Spark {get paid for writing totally easy posts}, Sponsored Tweets {get paid for tweeting fun info}, and Staree.com – a new one where you earn from your own photos that you share.
  • InfoStable: Share quick giveaway links, and earn a buck a piece each time one of your readers enter. So simple – and I researched the giveaways, the ARE legit and safe to promote. Earn with InfoStable.
  • zuuzs: Similar type of site – share deals, and earn every time your friends shop. Then earn more when THEIR friends shop too. Sweet, right? And what’s really cool is that they often do referral bonuses for affiliates – which means extra cash for you each month. You can sign up for a basic account here, then go to the Affiliate section to let them know you’re a blogger, so you can get the additional earnings

Brand Connections and Opportunities

  • Moms with Voices: They are looking for great bloggers who also offer services – things like editing, social media promotion, design, and more. If this is you, fill out the form on her site to add your information to the new database they’re putting together.
  • Real Mom Media: Another great network that wants to connect with you! Fill out this form, and get onto their contact list for cool upcoming opps and other fun stuff. Join Real Mom Media.
  • Question Moms: If you’re a business owner, you can get great feedback on your products or services. If you’re a blogger – you can earn incentives for sharing your feedback with the brands, and connect with them for product reviews too.
  • Clever Girls: There are SO many fun opps on here right now – You’re totally missing out if you’re not signed up with them yet! Click here, then the button up top to “Join Clever Girls Collective” – you’ll love it.
  • Sponsored Opps: Fill out this form to get on their mailing list for announcements of new opps like sponsored posts, twitter parties, and giveaways. Sounds cool.
  • Global Influence: Are you a member here yet? It’s simple to join, and you get access to their weekly newsletter with fun new blogging opportunities and giveaways. Join Global Influence Network today.
  • Brad’s Deals: Sign up on this form to be contacted about joining their team – it’s a pretty awesome site, so I’m excited to see what else they have in store for blogger promotions. Feel free to use me as your referral if you need one.

Good Reads and Helpful Tools

  • Ping-o-matic: Ping-O-Matic is a service to update different search engines that your blog has updated. Check them out, and enter your info today.
  • Sendible: I am loving this super helpful Social Media Management tool – very helpful, and very simple to use. Check it out – learn more, and try it yourself to see how much time it will save YOU each day.
  • Business Cards: Are you heading to conferences this summer too? Then you need to have the coolest business cards – seriously. And my very favorite are Moo.com. {Hint, sign up for their newsletter, to get TONS of super cool ideas each week. Love the creative cards that people come up with!}
  • Facebook Promoted Posts: Many of you have already read my post introducing the new paid post option on Facebook – But if you’re interested to learn how it’s working for real bloggers and businesses, take a minute to read some of the comments. I learned a ton by checking out everyone’s feedback on this new FB feature!

Events, Linkys, and Hops

  • Free Events: I always love this list – great resource for finding FREE blog events to join. This is a great way to help get your blog in front of a lot of new people, and meet some cool new bloggers too.
  • Mommy Solutions:Crystal & Co does my favorite weekly linky – I find SO many amazing ideas here, and get quite a bit of traffic from the stuff I link up. Whether you add a post, or just browse the super smart, and incredibly creative ideas there – you’ll love it.
  • Twitter Party: I’m helping co-host the Glad One Bag Twitter Party with Mom Central – check out the details, and tweet out the invite for a chance to WIN $50 Amazon gift cards. Awesome, right?
  • Intimidated by Twitter Parties? Join this super fun, much slower paced, and totally informative party as a great way to learn how it all works. It’ll give you a chance to explore Twitter, share solutions to parenting challenges, and connect mom bloggers and mom businesses. Cool, right? Mompact Twitter Party RSVP.
  • Pin Party: Link up your Pinterest account, check out the other super amazing ladies on the linky, and have fun pinning cool content! I love this weekly feature.
  • Cannon Camera: Join this great giveaway event to giveaway an awesome prize – a new Cannon camera! Learn more and sign up here.

Love it? Share it!

Use the easy peasy buttons at the top or bottom of this post to share these tips and leads with your own blogging buddies, and then take a minute to add any great opps, linkys, events, or other awesome stuff in the comments below. I put out a new Bloggertunities list every Wednesday – so be sure to sign up for email updates so you never miss a post.

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Want More? Check out all of the other Weekly Bloggertunity posts too, or browse my Blogging & Social Media board on Pinterest.

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Posted by on June 13, 2012 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Weekly Opp's | 10 Comments

My Simply Perfect Morning Routine… #IDandMe

“A morning without coffee is like sleep.” – Author Unknown… If you’ve read even just a few posts here on this site, you know that the majority of my bloodstream consists of coffee. I crawl out of bed, slither like a helpless jelly-fish to the kitchen to brew my first pot of coffee, and after a few cups of caffeinated goodness, I’m magically transformed into a super mom, ready to take on the challenges of my busy day. Yes, my name is Meagan, and I am a coffee junkie.

making iced coffee at home

“Coffee is a beverage that puts one to sleep when not drank.” – Alphonse Allais

I like pretty much any coffee drink, to be honest. I’ll drink a fancy shmancy drink at Starbucks, and I’ll chug down a cheap cup of coffee from the 7-11 if that’s all I can get access to. {If you were lost in a desert, would you turn down a glass of water because it wasn’t a designer bottled brand? No. And when I haven’t had my coffee, I get pretty desperate for hydration too…} And while I do drink a ton of basic brewed coffee, my fave, especially in the summer, is a perfectly sweetened iced coffee drink. Here’s how I make my home-blend:

  • International Delight Creamer {I usually use Non-Fat French Vanilla, but I do mix it up from time to time}
  • International Delight Original Flavor Iced Coffee in a carton
  • Coffee-cubes – extra strong brewed coffee frozen into ice cubes

I throw a few of the coffee-cubes into my rad International Delight cup, pour the pre-made Iced Coffee {cartons available at Walmart and Safeway} over the cubes, then throw on a splash of creamer to sweeten it up just a bit. Stir it up, and enjoy an amazingly delicious, super quick pick-me-up anytime, made right at home. {Remember how much money I saved when I switched to Iced Coffee from International Delight for a month?} Sooooo good.

working with iced coffee

“Behind every successful woman…is a substantial amount of coffee.” – Stephanie Piro

This is my daily coffee moment… I love to mix up a glass of creamy iced coffee, then head out to the patio with my drink and my laptop, to get some early morning work done before the craziness of the day begins. It’s such a nice way to get started… sunshine, the sound of the birds singing in our field, and a perfectly blended iced coffee to get me revved up and ready to tackle my to-do list.

Check out International Delight’s new Coffee Creamer packaging on Facebook!

Enjoying a coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee break Kit, by completing these two steps:

1) Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest

2) Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.

 

jjjEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
This
ddddEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
ThisEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
This

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight June Sponsored Conversation. The opinions and text are all mine. International Delight Sweepstakes and Rules.

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Posted by on June 13, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution |

How to go “Design Spotting” with Me & #DysonDesign

“Good designs come from the heart, not from the brain.” – Danny Sengers… I want to know – what designs inspire you? Do you notice great design in your daily life? Many times we really don’t – badly designed products are frustrating, don’t do what they should, slow you down – forcing you to take notice of their flaws. But a product that is designed well becomes such a seamless part of your day that you often stop paying much attention to it. I talked to you a few weeks ago about some amazing designs in my life that I did notice, once I took a little time to pay attention to the amazing things around me. Last week, I decided to do a little more “Design Spotting” – and made a point to capture photos of the things I saw that amazed me with their beauty, smart function, and plain ol’ awesomeness. I’d love to see what inspires you too – snap some photos to share to Instagram and Twitter, and tag them with #DysonDesign. I am super excited to see what you find.

clean energy windmills

“Content precedes design. Design in the absense of content is not design, it’s decoration.” – Jeffrey Zeldman

I really do believe that the basis of a great design is a smart idea. I love this photo, and this is definitely a design that is more than mere decoration – this is a structure with a purpose. This is just one of hundreds of windmills that now dot the top of the ridges that you drive through when leaving Washington, headed towards Oregon. Those small dots on the hillside are cows, which helps you realize the magnitude of these giant energy-generating gadgets. It’s very surreal as you drive through them all – they’re beautiful in their simplicity, yet they seem so foreign in this natural landscape. They’re incredibly quiet, even though there is such an incredible amount of them in one place. It’s a very weird feeling as you pass them…. But knowing that these massive windmills are here, in this mostly desolate area, quietly and simply creating energy from the winds that blow by, is pretty amazing.

Design is about making things good (and then better) and right (and fantastic) for the people who use and encounter them.” – Matt Beale

Another amazing example of design that is smart, and beautiful in it’s simplicity is the Dyson Air Multiplier. Have you seen this fan yet? {If not, click through below to check it out.} I’m amazed, and have to admit – I do not really understand how this works. But I am incredibly intrigued, and am looking for somewhere local to check one out in person. I love that the design is like nothing else I’ve ever seen in a fan. I love the “cool” factor it has. And I love the safety of no blades for little fingers to get stuck in. Seriously – this is what I call impressive design.

Dyson Air Multiplier

The Dyson Air Multiplier is available in table, tower and pedestal sizes. With no fast-spinning blades, it’s safe, easy to clean, and generates smooth air with no buffeting. Keep cool with Dyson Air Multiplier. Learn more at www.dyson.com/cooling.

Get inspired with #DysonDesign on Instagram and Twitter.

{Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dyson via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dyson.}

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Posted by on June 13, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | No Comments

5 Great Tips to Steal from the Greek Lifestyle…

Healthy Living, the Greek way… You’ve probably heard the term “Opa!” – a popular Greek term used to express excitement and cheer, right? Greeks are super smart about finding creative ways to celebrate their heritage, food, and family every day. They seek balance in their daily lives by participating in outdoor activities and relying on a healthy diet of olive oil, grains, vegetables, fish and dairy. Clearly, this is a lifestyle worth borrowing a few tips from.

chelsie hightower healthy living tips

Healthy Living Tips inspired by Greek Living – from Chelsie Hightower

Get some great ideas for healthy living from the amazing Chelsie Hightower, from Dancing With the Stars. These 5 tips will have you living like a Greek in no time – and can help you be happier, healthier, and full of “Opa!” too…

  1. Take your workouts outside. While a walk around your neighborhood might seem less exciting than a hike around Greek ruins, try to find something in your local outdoors that motivates and excites you. Explore a local park or a new neighborhood route to change up your fitness routine.
  2. Make healthy meal choices. I try to stick to a Mediterranean influenced diet that is rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, fish and dairy. I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page.
  3. Go dancing. In Greece, dancing is a large part of any celebration or gathering. I love going  dancing with friends; not only do we have a great time but I also get a workout!
  4. Healthy Living = Happiness. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to plan a gettogether. Invite friends and family over just because! Ask guests to bring a dish, or set out appetizers like olives, cheese and Old London Melba Toast for everyone to enjoy. I’ve found being happy is a big step to staying healthy.
  5. Love yourself. People come in all shapes and sizes, and what works on others won’t necessary work for you. Being healthy is about how you feel. Stop comparing yourself to others and begin loving the person you are from head to toe.

Celebrity dancer Chelsie Hightower has teamed up with some awesome nutrition and culinary experts, and partnered with Old London this summer – to help you incorporate the spirit of Greek culture into your life with easy-to-manage health tips like these, and super yummy recipes to support an overall healthy lifestyle for you and your family. I LOVE these ideas, and am already using them in my own life…

super simple spinach party dip

How I bring Greek Living to my Summer entertaining

Have you ever tried Old London snacks? They’ve got some really great options that are perfect for summer entertaining, like the ones I used at last weekend’s BBQ  – Melba Sea Salt Whole Grain {perfect fit with my Nutrisystem diet}, Melba Toast in Rosemary & Olive Oil {perfectly crunchy}, and Garlic & Herb Bagel Chips {all natural, no trans fat. Awesome.} These paired up pretty much perfectly with my favorite Super Simple Spinach Party Dip. Here’s the quick steps to put it together:

  • 1 {10 oz} package of frozen chopped spinach
  • 1 package Veggie recipe soup mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 oz) container sour cream
  • 3 chopped green onions

Directions for Super Simple Spinach Party Dip: Put frozen spinach into a strainer to thaw out. Once thawed, squeeze out any extra water, and get the spinach as dry as possible so your dip doesn’t get too runny. Combine all of the ingredients into a big bowl, stir to mix, then refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors blend together. Serve with bread, crackers – or my personal fave, Old London chips and crisps!

Old London is sending one lucky winner and a guest on an all-expense paid trip to the Greek Islands!

Old London SweepstakesOne lucky Old London fan is going to get a first-hand experience of the local culture, food and activities that help the Greek stay so healthy and happy. “Say Opa! to a better you by
maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and participating in physical activities you love while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Greek Islands!” – Visit Facebook.com/OldLondonFoods to get tips on living a healthy lifestyle and your chance to
win. I cannot even imagine how amazing this trip would be… Grand Prize: 8-day/7-night trip for two to Greece. Prize includes the following: Round trip (coach class) air transportation from a major airport nearest the winner’s home address. Seven nights (double occupancy) first class hotel accommodations in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. $2,000 gift card for spending money. {Approximate retail value $9,500. Grand Prize winner may select a cash option of $5,000 in lieu of the travel prize. But who would pass up a trip to Greece, right??} So what are you waiting for? Head on over to their Facebook page today, check out more delicious recipes to help you life like a Greek – then enter to WIN a chance to REALLY live like a Greek on this sweet getaway adventure.

What do YOU think??

Do you plan to try “Living Greek” – using Chelsie Hightowers healthy living tips inspired by the Greek lifestyle, or trying some of the super yummy recipes on the Old London Facebook page? Are you from a Greek family, and have some additional fun tips to share with us? I love hearing from you guys – so don’t be shy, comment away!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Photo Credit for first photo.}

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Posted by on June 12, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

New Site Lets Your Build an IdeaFolio to Design your Dream Home

Merillat Kitchen Design Your Dream Kitchen – This is super cool. You know I’m a big fan of home design sites – {my last addicting find was Houzz.com. Love it!} And I’m excited to spend more time using the tools and freebies here on this new site too – Check it out! It’s another super fun way to put together an idea book for cool projects inspiration…

Super cool inspiration and ideas…

What you’ll find here – Create a scrapbook of your favorite products and images from Merillat.com. Save your step-by-step kitchen and bath planner results or create your own styleboard. Share your projects with your friends too, which is super fun.” All free tools! You’ll also see links to get freebies like the Take 5 booklet, featuring 5 quick and easy recipes from renowned chef Curtis Stone and Curtis’ top 5 favorite Merillat product features!!

What is YOUR favorite home design site??

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Posted by on June 12, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Simple Summer Pirate Party… #GrabSummerFun

“In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams… I love summer. I love being outside with the family, enjoying the fresh air. Yes, this is partly because they make less of a mess INSIDE the house, when they get to run wild in the yard. But I also just truly love being in the outdoors. And – I’m totally a “celebration” type person… I like to find simple but creative ways to make the everyday a little more fun. So if you’re looking for easy ways to take your outdoor summer days up a notch too, keep reading – and feel free to steal some of my ideas for your own summer fun.

laptop and coupons for summer fun shopping

“I am curious, I love making discoveries, travelling, speaking with people, going shopping for cool new things to make life more fun.” – Maria Grazia Cucinotta

So – you know that I consider myself a super smart, totally savvy shopper, right? Which means that before any shopping trip, I always take a few minutes to check out my coupon stash, match it with my shopping list – and then check the store website for any super specials going on. {No, I’m no extreme couponer. But I do make a bit of an effort to ensure we spend our family budget in a smart way – which is why we do most of our shopping at Walmart.} Then, with list in hand, coupons in their envelope, and cash in my wallet – we headed out to grab a bit of gear to celebrate the first day of summer break for the big kids.

summer fun pool party ideas

“It’s almost Summer! Time to find out what my friends with swimming pools have been up to since last summer…” – Unknown

I usually spend way too much of my days working at the computer. The kids will remind me once in awhile that “you’re WAY more fun when you’re not at the computer, Auntie Meagan!” So now that summer break is here {school got out for us on Friday} – I have decided that it’s time for me to take more blogging breaks, and #GrabSummerFun more often. This was a perfect weekend for breaks… It was time to get our pool ready for summer opening!! We pulled the cover off – the kids ooohed and ahhhed – then added the chemicals and cleaners to have it ready by next weekend. Super exciting. Then – since the kids really wanted to get in the water – we set up this super cute little Mushroom Baby Pool that grandpa sent us… They had a BLAST. Great way to burn off some of that afternoon energy that kids seem to have an abundance of. The kid that us tired moms can’t even remember….

summer fun day supplies

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent

After an awesome afternoon of outdoor summer fun, you have to start thinking about dinner. And while the dreaded “what’s for dinner!!??” calls can sometimes be stressful – they don’t have to be when you’re prepared. For this summer celebration dinner, I grabbed a few pre-made products that I jazzed up just a bit, to make them more fun. Frozen pizzas {even when you add extras like we did} are a quick dinner fix. And Nestle Drumsticks please even the pickiest of eaters. I mean heck – they have sprinkles. Who doesn’t smile at sprinkles, right?

pirate pizza

“To err is human , To Arr is Pirate.” – Unknown

I headed into the house to gather up some of the groceries I’d bought earlier in the day, to put together a super fun “Summer Pirate Pizza Party” that would totally top off the day. I had found some ideas on Pinterest – and hoped that they’d be successful… {Only about half of the cool ideas I attempt actually work out, lol.} I love that Walmart has everything that I need to put together any fun family evening that I come up with. Drum roll….. Ta da!! My Pirate Pizza was a super success – The kids LOVED it. I love moments like this, that make me feel like a super mom. {I plan to make this guy again for our Princess and Pirates Birthday Party for Abby in July…} I used a basic Tombstone Pizza for the base, then added our own pepperoni, peppers, and olives for more toppings. {My Walmart was totally out of pepperoni pizzas when we visited – see the rest of our shopping trip on Google+.} I wasn’t really sure what I was doing, and just kind of put him together randomly – but I think he came out kind of awesome. #JustSayin’.

Pirate punch

“Summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

Of course no party is complete without party drinks, right? So I put together a super simple Pirate Party Punch – And, seriously – never underestimate the excitement kids will show over a few maraschino cherries – OhmyHECK. You’d think I’d brought home new ponies with built-in XBox systems. Wow. Want to be a super-hero mom too? Here’s the easy peasy mix:

  • Cherry Kool-Aid mixed with…
  • The juice from half a jar of maraschino cherries.
  • A splash of Squirt soda on top of each glass.
  • Then add a couple of maraschino cherries, plus half-frozen mandarin oranges, or pineapple wedges. {Those were my first choice, but we were out!}
  • Stir it up, add glow-in-the-dark straws from the party aisle – voila! Pirate punch fit for any little buccaneer!
Honestly, I could not believe how excited they were over this punch. All of the kids told me it was sooooo good. {Even though it’s just mostly Kool-Aid??} And the adults made their own grown-up beverages with this punch as a base {think rum or a bit of vanilla vodka} – and they raved about it too. I love when my short-cuts seem impressive…. Lol.

home ice cream summer party

“Summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

And last, but absolutely not least – we finished up dinner with those frozen treats I mentioned earlier. We love Drumsticks – and I was super excited to see that Walmart now has some new options – including cherry stuffed, sprinkle topped, super yummy ice cream creations! You might remember how excited the kids get over some cherries? So yes, these were a huge hit too.

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Sam Keen

Collective Bias #CBias{Disclaimer: 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 Nestle #CBias #SocialFabric.} And learn more about the awesome products featured here on the Nestle Facebook page, and Tombstone Facebook page.

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Posted by on June 11, 2012 Filed Under: Celebrations | 11 Comments
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