Making the Most of Christmas with #Hallmark

This post is sponsored by Hallmark but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #ad

Christmas time is here * Happiness and cheer * Fun for all that children call * Their favorite time of the year*

I love everything that comes with the Christmas season.  Gathering with family and friends, a visit with Santa, shopping for gifts, and Christmas cards in the mail.  One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays is Hallmark.  They have the cutest gifts and the best stocking stuffers.  From candles, soaps, fluffy socks, stuffed animals, and candy galore….they have it all!

Have you checked out all the Star Wars stuff Hallmark has lately?  Let me just say we have a certain 5-year-old who is counting down the days until the Star Wars movie premier.  It’s everything Star Wars for this kiddo this Christmas.

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Cute little Christmas Yoda, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper.  The Star Wars wrapping paper is also available at Hallmark stores.

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If you searching for a gift for a co-worker or friend the Crafters & Co. gifts at Hallmark are perfect!  Everything from chocolates, artisan-made hand soaps, tea, and candles.  Just a little something extra to show someone you care.

Being a photographer I’m always looking for fun photo backdrops. One of my favorite things to do (and easiest) is to take wrapping paper and hang it behind my subject in a picture.   Nothing fancy…it just makes for a really cute photo!

I got this candy cane wrapping paper at Hallmark, I love their wrapping paper by the way because it’s not the thin, flimsy paper.  It holds up well to folding and taping 🙂

My photo backdrop:

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My handsome subject:

(The reindeer hat and mittens are also a Hallmark find!  Soooo cute and only $9.99 for the set)

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I hope you all have fun shopping, decorating, and gathering this Christmas!

Check out our video below for a sneak peek of all the fun holiday goodies at Hallmark this year.

Chocolate is My Love Language: Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe #SayMore #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you know me well or have been around me a decent amout of time you know my absolute LOVE for all things chocolate!  I recently tried the Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe chocolates and oh my gosh y’all!  Soooo good!  These KISSES are filled with whole roasted hazelnut, creamy layers and delicate crisps.

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Christmas is all about sharing love and spreading cheer.  What better way to say you care about someone than a box full of chocolates???

When I was growing up we would go to church on Sundays and my Dad would ask all the ladies if they wanted a “kiss“.  Of course they would smile and laugh at him…then sort of look at him like he was crazy!  Ha ha!  My Dad would smile back and place a Hershey’s KISS in their hand.  It tickled them and it made their day.  The looks on their faces was priceless when they realized it was a chocolate he was handing them 🙂

My Daddy is awesome like that.  He always thinks of everyone before himself.

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I look forward to the holiday season because of the feeling in the air and everyone just seems to be a little bit nicer.  People give more, do more, and say more.  These KISSES are twice the size of an original KISSES Chocolate.  More to love!  Ha ha!

I’m going to give someone a KISS this holiday….are you?

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Look at the hazelnut center.  I can’t wait to make someone’s day and make them feel special.

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Enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35

Contest opens on November 6, 2015 and closes December 14, 2015

Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Keep up with Hershey’s Kisses on Facebook & Twitter

This video touched my heart.  As Mom’s so many things we do go unnoticed and it’s so sweet what her kids did.  Melt my heart….literally.

How will you make someone’s day this holiday?

 

Friday Favorites + Enter to win Velvet Eyewear!

The blog has been put on the back burner lately…I’ve been booked every weekend with photo shoots.  Thankfully booked!  I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.  Maybe it’s because all the changes we’ve had, but seriously I cannot believe it’s almost Christmas.

Hopefully next year we’ll have a house to decorate again.  It is sort of freeing not to take everything out this year.  (Remind me I said that next year) In the mean time I found a tree at Target for $20 bucks and I’m just as happy as a clam with it!  Connor and I decorated it this week.

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I found some Buddy the Elf stickers at Target too.  It’s one of our favorite movies.  My friend Sarah makes the cutest Buddy the Elf shirts for the holiday season for kids.  Check them out HERE.

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My favorite Aromatique candle of all time was Amaretto Nog.  They don’t make it very much anymore….but this year I found a new scent that is surprisingly similar called “Winterberry” and I LOVE it too!  Smells soooo good!

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And last, but not least favorite of the week are my new Velvet Eyewear Sunglasses.

Velvet Eyewear has some of the most stylish shades.  Check them out HERE.  What makes them so special?

Velvet® Lenses – Block in Beauty

The Velvet®  {BB} Lens™ is an exclusive sunglass lens that is formulated with specific attributes that block out 100% of harmful UV rays, and reduce heat and eye strain. Velvet’s {BB} Lens™ Sunglass Protection helps prevent crow’s feet, fine lines, and the effects of aging in and around the eyes caused by the environment. When worn regularly, the Velvet {BB} Lens™ can slow down the signs of aging and Block in Beauty.

I’ve been wearing these beauties all week and they are super chic and comfortable.  I’m sure a lot of your girlfriends would love a pair for Christmas this year **HINT…**HINT**

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I love Velvet Eyewear so much I’m excited to give away one pair to a The Java Mama reader!

ENTER TO WIN BELOW

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Win Tickets To See Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 from Studio Movie Grill

If you love the Hunger Games series then welcome everyone!

“Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” is about to hit theaters and in the spirit if giving thanks this month Studio Movie Grill is donating 10% of the proceeds raised from online sales of Hunger Games-themed digital gift cards to partnering food banks.

Gift cards make great holiday offerings and will be available online from October 23 – November 25 at www.studiomoviegrill.com.
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When: Friday, October 23 – Wednesday, November 25

Where: Purchase online at: www.studiomoviegrill.com

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SMG exists to open hearts and minds one story at a time, and with this campaign we hope to make the issue of hunger a little bit easier for those less fortunate in our communities.

“As illustrated in Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, tremendous things can happen when people come together for a good cause. I’m extremely proud of our own SMG team members who have also taken it upon themselves to volunteer at their local food banks at this time, demonstrating that each of us can affect change.” – Brian Schultz, SMG Founder and CEO.

About Studio Movie Grill

Studio Movie Grill modernized the traditional movie-going experience by combining first-run movies with full-service, in-theater dining. Established in 2000, SMG has swiftly grown to 23 locations in 10 states. SMG, long considered the leader of in-theater dining exhibition, recently announced a major expansion initiative with plans for additional sites throughout the country.

With the addition of over 50 new screens this year, SMG now ranks the 20th largest exhibitor in the U.S. For additional information, visit www.studiomoviegrill.com

“And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

WIN 4 PASSES TO STUDIO MOVIE GRILL BELOW:

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Klondike Fall Treats #KlondikeVariety #IC

This post was sponsored by Klondike as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

It’s fall and football season is officially in session.  We are big TCU fans in our house.  Every weekend our Saturdays seems to revolve around the big game.  It’s so much more fun to have people over and watch sports than watching alone right?  Gathering, talking, and eating our favorite snacks and sweets.  One of my favorite treats to serve guests in Klondike bars.  Each sweet snack is individually wrapped and easy to share and serve!

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Let me introduce you to my little friends : The Klondike Bars.  Klondike has 12 varieties of yummy chocolate covered bars and candy filled treats!   My absolute favorite is the new Cookie Dough Swirl!  It’s just like the classic Klondike bar, but with layers of cookie dough mixed in…YUM.  Not to mention there are 2 extra snacks in the package 🙂

The OREO is one of my favorites too.  Mixing OREOS with ice cream???  Yes please.

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Look at my future little football player…isn’t he precious!

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Connor’s favorite is the Klondike Mrs. Fields sandwiches.  Chocolate chip cookies sandwiches with vanilla ice cream.  That’s a happy kiddo!  He’s growing up way to fast I tell ya.  I can’t stand it….soon we’ll be watching him in the stands (maybe if that’s what he’s into).  Of course by then I might need 3 boxes of these because boys eat a TON!               

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Also, the Klondike Kandy bars are AMAZING ya’ll!  If you haven’t tried these you are missing out.  The Cookies & Cream bars are sooooo good!  I’m in a mint mood with Christmas coming up, so the Mint Fudge Cookie bars sound so good right now.

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What are your favorite treats to serve during the season?  

Sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and relax this time of year and not have to worry about cooking…especially “what’s for dessert?”.  I guarantee your guests will enjoy a Klondike treat just as much, and you’ll get to spend more time with your friends and family too!

Now that’s what I call a WIN=WIN.

For more information about Klondike visit Klondike on Facebook and on Twitter 

Halloween 2015

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We’ve had a crazy year so far.  Connor has had bouts of constant sickness.  First he had pneumonia, then all of us got it.  Then he had strep for about a week.  The Doctor put him on penicillin, he broke out in horrible hives.  Turns out he’s allergic.  About a week later he started having joint problems and could barely walk…it was just awful.  I guess his allergic reaction sort of went septic and caused a lot of issues.  So, 3-4 Doctor visits later he seems to be doing much better after being on a steroid treatment.  I told him to stop licking the carpet at school because of all the GERMS!  Seriously…kids are just gross.

I’m hoping and praying we have a HEALTHY holiday!

Anyway…

The actual day of Halloween we didn’t get to do much trick-or-treating because Connor couldn’t really walk around well.  We went to Terence’s work on Friday night and they had a big trick-or-treat for the kids of the employees and each department dressed up in different themes.  It was really cool!  I’m glad we got to go and participate this year…first time I haven’t had to work full-time in over 10 years and be present 🙂

Sarah made us matching “Mother of Dragons” shirts to wear.  Yes…we are so cool right?

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Connor was Luke Skywalker this year.  Anything and everything Star Wars these days is “totally cool Mom“.  Ellie (Sarah’s daughter) was Peppa the Pig.

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A few weekends ago we also got together with a bunch of our pre-school friends and had a little reunion at the pumpkin patch.  It was so nice to see familiar faces we love and miss so much!

Here is my big Connor boy
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The two loves of my life- My boys 🙂BBP_8994

The corn maze.  Ugh…those things are so frustrating!  It could be because it was 90 degrees….but yeah we got lost.  That’s the point right?BBP_8995

Connor and his bff Bridget

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And Lucas

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All the gang together again

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Family pumpkin patch pic

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Hope you all are having a great fall!  I can’t believe we are already headed towards Christmas.  You know me…I’ve already had a couple eggnog lattes 🙂

Boost your Cup of Coffee with Folgers Flavors #RemixYourCoffee #IC

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Folgers. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
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Coffee is definitely one of my love languages.  I love coffee any time and any day of the week!  It puts the pep in my step and helps with that daily “boost“.  Some days are just hard to get through, from the moment you get up it can be struggle just to make it out the door.  I also have those afternoon sinking spells all the time.  Needless to say, I drink a lot of coffee!  I’m not really a black coffee sort of gal…I do love coffee…but I need some FLAVOR!

I just love, love, love these new Folgers Flavors.  These are perfect for adding yummy flavor to your coffee.  The bottles are easy to pop in your bag- use on the go, no matter where you are.  Folgers Flavors don’t need to be refrigerated either!

Folgers Flavors come in a variety of flavors too:

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I am a big fan of caramel.  The first flavor I tried was the caramel and it added just the right amount of “oomph” to my coffee.  Some days I also enjoy an iced coffee, and the Iced Hazelnut was really good too!  BBP_9272

I even add the Mocha flavor to my protein shakes to flavor it a bit more. They taste really good that way!  You can also mix the flavors together and have a caramel hazelnut coffee.  Or how about a hazelnut mocha? #YUM

How do you #RemixYourCoffee ???  What’s your favorite flavor?

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YouTube sensation Mike Tompkins has put his unique spin on the iconic Folgers jingle and created an original a capella Folgers remix mash-up.  Watch HERE & below.

For more information, visit www.Folgers.com

 

Folgers Flavors Giveaway:

“Contest entrants are only eligible to win once per sweepstake, per household as part of a campaign sponsored by Influence Central.”

Enter to win two samples of the Folgers Flavors using the entry form below.
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Follow the latest and greatest from Folgers on Facebook & Twitter.