Sunshine and Sippy Cups

Rise of the Rock Festival – #Infographic

Are you a rock junkie? Love outdoor festivals? Here in Washington state, we have a few really amazing outdoor venues, so I’ve been to quite a few big outdoor shows. My favorite is the Gorge Amphitheatre, where you just sit out on the amazing hillside, and enjoy the scenery and the music. {Click the link to see how awesome it is!} If you’re an outdoor festival lover too, you’ll enjoy this cool infographic – great facts, crazy stats, and fun info. Leave me a comment below if you have a favorite outdoor venue too…. [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 21, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 14 Comments

Are You Prepared for Mom-Emergencies?

Are you ready for a major emergency?... Everyone by now has heard about the crazy-chaos in the New York area after major-storm Sandy last month. As a West Coaster, up here in Washington State, I didn’t even know until recently that there are a lot of people on the East Coast who have to do major prep for even regular storms during the winter. Here, we don’t have generators, we don’t stockpile food or supplies {unless we’re big-time couponers}, and we don’t have to worry about power outages for more than a very rare hour or two. But now that I have friends on the East Coast, the whole idea of preparing a little more thoroughly for emergencies has stuck with me. And, as a busy mom – preparing for disaster is kind of my middle name, right? [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 20, 2012 Filed Under: Giveaways, Busy Mom Solution | 31 Comments

Enter a Level of Geekiness – Get a Great Gift Suggestion, Slot Machine Style

“Tech the halls with gear and gadgets, Fa La La La”… Did you sing it in your head as you read that? I do, lol. Anyway, you know that I’m a gadget junkie, right? And I’ve shared some of my very favorites of this year’s hottest gifts with you the past two weeks, to help guide your holiday shopping. If you missed ’em: Best gifts for gals, Cool toys for kids, Gifts to make teens think you’re cool, and rad gift ideas for dudes. Well, if you need even MORE inspiration, this Geek Gift Guide can come to the rescue! It’s a super funny way to find the perfect gift using your receiver’s interests, your price range and their degree of geekiness – Slot machine style! Check it out: [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 20, 2012 Filed Under: Tech Tips, Shopping | 12 Comments

Best Baby Monitor Gift this Season! – #DealsoftheDay

These are definitely the days for deals, right? The big day is quickly approaching, and it’s time to wrap up all of that holiday shopping before it’s too late! And, to help you find some of the sweetest savings this week, from now until Thursday, I’ll be sharing the newest Deal of the Day from Sears with you! All week, these deals have been my highest traffic posts of the week! There was the the Digital Camera Binoculars, and then the super cool Android Tablet deal. Hope you love today’s deal just as much. And, this is the last deal of the day that I’ll be posting, for you to get in time for Christmas…

Sears’ Deal of the Day offers exclusive one day promotions on different products at amazing prices. Check back daily for the best deals on products. Sears is your online destination for last-minute gift ideas at super affordable price-points. And, these deals will be pulled from every category Sears carries – like jewelry, electronics, tools, clothing, toys, furniture, and more. That means there’s something for everyone! Get ready for it – today’s deal has TWO awesome products at huge discounts…

Charging your car battery is a breeze with this Stanley Battery Charger

This innovative device automatically selects a charge rate from 0 to 40 AMPS to maximize battery life, charge speed and maintenance. The easy to read digital-display LCD screen offers clear and concise information. Other features include spark resistant reverse hook-up protection, microprocessor controlled digital diagnostics and a moisture protection coating.

Stay fully charged with this Stanley 40 Amp Automatic Car Battery Charger w/ LCD Display, 1-Touch Technology & Moisture Protection! Get it for only $49.99 at Sears now.

Do you have a new mom, or mom to be?

Then an awesome gift for them this year would be a ClearVu® Digital Wireless Technology Baby Monitor! ClearVu® technology ensures outstanding image and sound clarity so that you can watch and listen to your child up to 500ft away, giving you total piece of mind. The large LCD gives you Superior Viewing Quality – Imagine what you will catch your baby doing on this bright, clear, large 3.5” LCD screen. Temperature Monitoring to Ensure Safety – Many studies indicate that your baby’s room should be between 68-70° F (20-21° C). Talk to Baby Intercom – Soothe your baby from a distance with the Talk to Baby™ intercom. Five Soothing Lullabies – Turn lullabies on and off as well as change the song being played all from the parent unit with the simple push of a button. The built-in night vision allows you to see your child, even in complete darkness up to 10ft away. When the lights go down the system automatically adjusts to the level of light. Relaxing Nightlight – The baby unit has a gentle nightlight that you are able to turn on and off from the parent unit. Voice Activated Control – Conserve battery power and sleep well at night with VOX activation. The camera can be wall mounted so you can easily view your baby in its crib as well as see all other parts of the nursery. 24/7 Lifetime Live Customer Support – Our customer support team can be reached by phone 24/7 or by email and live web chat services, so you always have access to an expert. List of Contents – 3.5″ LCD video monitor, night vision camera, rechargable battery (monitor), 2 power adapters, instruction manual, 24/7 lifetime live customer support, 1 year manufacturer’s direct warranty.

Keep an eye on your little one with this Levana LV-TW502 Monitor for only $104.99 at Sears!

{Disclaimer: I’m a Sears blogger, but all opinions are my own.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 20, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | 7 Comments

Five Raddest Gifts for the Men in Your Life

“There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.” – Erma Bombeck… Luckily for men, there are few that have really grown up, lol. When it comes to the holidays – I don’t know if you’re one who’s shopping for a hubby, brother, dad, or other – but most of us have some guys in our lives to shop for, and they can be tough. So, here are a few of my favorite dude deals for the holidays – all available at Best Buy!

Nike SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom with Sensor

This is super cool. Do you know an active guy – a guy who’s all about the gym, how many steps taken during the day, how many reps did you do earlier? It’s a SportWatch with sensor that measures time, distance, pace and calories burned for versatile use. The built-in GPS lets you track pace and elevation changes, plus other route data. Super smart. Get the Nike Sportwatch.

Turtle Beach Gaming Headphones

Do you have a mister who LOVES the video games? Is so, you so need these headphones… Not only will HE love them, because they make the sound more rich and real, but you’ll love ’em because you don’t have to hear his darn games all night long anymore! Get the Turtle Beach – Ear Force X12 Gaming Headset.

Garmin GPS system

Hit the road and arrive at your destination with ease using this GPS that features preloaded base maps of the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Lifetime map updates ensure you have up-to-date information when you travel. What man doesn’t LOVE GPS? It gives him a way to get directions, without EVER admitting it, lol. Get the Garmin – nüvi 40LM 4.3″ GPS with Lifetime Map Updates.

The GoPro HERO3 HD Camcorder

I so want one of these!!! This is just the coolest thing – You can mount it anywhere, and it records in amazing HD quality. The built-in Wi-Fi lets you control the camera from a compatible device {like a smartphone or tablet that has the GoPro app} or a Wi-Fi remote. Imagine what your mister could do with this – does he hunt, ride motorcycles, drive racecars {what my Mister does}, or even if you just watch the kids sports – whatever! You can record awesome HD video, on a sweetly smart device, that can be mounted anywhere. These are just so cool – GoPro – HERO3 HD Camcorder – Silver.

Super Spy Camera

Do you have a guy who loves spy movies? Then get him his own spy-ready digital camera – the Nikon Coolpix SO1 is smaller than a salt shaker, fits in a front tee shirt pocket, or dudes denim pocket, and still takes rockin’ photos. {See some rockstar example photos here.}

As a Best Buy Blogging Board Member and Brand Ambassador, I get the chance to check out cool new gadgets and gear from Best Buy. But, I only promote the products that I think are rad – I love this stuff, and think the men {or you!} you will love these products too!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 20, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping, Deals and Coupon Codes | 17 Comments

Win a BIG Set of Holiday Kitchen Solutions – #Giveaway

“Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough but not baked in the same oven.” – Yiddish Proverb… This quote always cracks me up. Or depresses me, when I think about bad guys. Or entertains me when I think of totally unique and funny weirdos. Anyway… When we talk about dough, and ovens, and baking – I have an awesome giveaway to share with you ladies. This giveaway will ONLY be shared here, Facebook, and Twitter. No giveaway sites, no linkys. This is just for you rockin’ ladies that follow me. One of you will win this super sweet package of goodies…

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 19, 2012 Filed Under: Giveaways | 21 Comments

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Bread Recipe

Mmmmm…. How I do love me some holiday carbs! … It’s true, a low-carb diet would never work for me. Breads, muffins, cakes, and their friends are some of my very favorite things. And there’s not much that’s yummier at the holidays than a good cinnamon streusel type dessert, right?

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Bread Recipe

This recipe is SO perfect for holiday entertaining or gift giving – it’s super moist and delicious, and pairs perfectly with a mug of dark hot cocoa. Snuggle in with a good family movie, a warm cozy blanket, and enjoy! Or, if you’re in need of some homemade gift ideas, use these adorable holiday themed pans from Handi-Foil to present loaves of this yummy coffee cake bread as gifts! {Want to win your own set of a TON of holiday themed pans?} And, the recipe is super simple to make, using basic essentials you probably already have on hand. And if you want to see the Homemade Shake & Bake Chicken recipe that I made to go along with this Cinnamon Streusal bread for a totally simple – yet super delicious – dinnertime solution, check it out and watch the video in the post. Enjoy – and Happy Holidays!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Bread Recipe

Ingredients

For the Streusal:
1/3 cup Bisquick mix
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup firm butter or margarine
For the Coffee Cake:
1 3/4 cup Bisquick mix
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs

Instructions

First things first - Heat your oven to 350°F.
While your waiting, spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix 1/3 cup Bisquick mix,the brown sugar and the cinnamon.
Next, cut in the butter using a pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly. Set aside until needed.
In a medium bowl, stir all of the coffee cake ingredients from the list until all blended. Then spread the mix into the pan, and sprinkle with topping.
Bake it up for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Store tightly covered, to make sure it's still totally delicious in a day or two.

https://sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/12/cinnamon-streusel-coffee-cake-bread-recipe/

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 19, 2012 Filed Under: Food | 15 Comments