an easter basket for the fur child ...

*** this post was sponsored by kroger. all opinions are 100% my own. ***

since eleanor joined the gang back in january, ms hattie our english bulldog graciously accepted her new role playing 2nd fiddle. so when kroger approached me with the challenge to create an easter basket for a loved one exclusively from items purchased at their store - i decided to spoil our pup with an easter basket of her own. after all, hattie is much more excited about goodies than our little one at this stage.




this was also a great opportunity to visit the new kroger marketplace®! along with the huge variety of the fresh food i've come to expect from my neighborhood kroger, the kroger marketplace® is a one-stop shop for everything else for your home - including home decor, linens, small appliances and more. and when it came to items for hattie's easter basket - it did not disappoint. i filled her basket with pup essentials:

- a little lamb doll (with sewn on features as a safe choice) + bunny ears from the easter selection
- a rubber ball from their amazing selection of pet toys
- a water bottle wrapped in a sock from the $1 bins (which of course is her favorite from the basket!)
- from their home goods section, i picked up a jar to fill with homemade dog treats!

... and even a little gift for me - a lint brush!

kroger has a great big natural section loaded with the gluten free products that we love as well! when we adopted hattie a year ago, we weren't entirely familiar with the bulldog breed. we knew they were super squishy, loud snoring, crazy loyal lovebugs. but we didn't realize that they are also one of the most unhealthy breeds. you can help with their allergies and breathing issues by keeping them on a gluten free diet. so yes - in this household even our dog is gluten free!

here's a super easy recipe for gluten free dog treats:

• 1 banana, mashed
• 1/4c natural peanut butter*
• 1/2c bacon, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4c gluten-free oat flour*
• 1/3 cup gluten-free oats*

* peanut butter is a good source of protein + it contains healthy fats, vitamin b, niacin and vitamin e. and oats are a great source of fiber which is especially beneficial as your dog ages. 




preheat oven to 300º F.

1. combine wet ingredients and dry ingredients (except the bacon) separately. then mix the wet with the dry ingredients. finally fold in the bacon bits. 
2. transfer the dough to wax paper. if the dough is sticky, use additional oat flour. roll the dough to a 1/4" thickness and use cookie cutters to shape each treat. transfer the the treats to a non-stick baking sheet. 
3. bake the treats for 35 minutes until golden brown. allow them to cool at room temperature before storing them for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. 

you might not be able to tell - but the treats are hattie approved! she's pretty excited about the basket as a whole! :)



of course kroger has everything you need to fill up an easter basket for your human counterparts too! for more easter basket ideas including great DIY easter projects - check out the kroger pinterest board and their Facebook page.

revlon expression experiment: challenge accepted!

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

the countdown is on ... i'm 10 days from turning 30.

i mentioned last week that i might be having a slight crisis. i ordered a sample of emu oil (yes bird juice!) promising younger looking skin. i brought a picture of a rock star to my stylist and asked for "her hair". i've walked over 15 miles since saturday in 90 degree heat hoping my teenage butt will make a reappearance. i asked wade if it would be weird for the mother of his children to have a tattoo sleeve. yes - though i still haven't bought that neon bra - i might be having a slight crisis.

just in time, i stumbled upon the Revlon Expression Experiment.

Revlon's mission has always been to inspire and encourage women to express themselves! Revlon Expression Experiment celebrates the essence of the Revlon brand while engaging w/ the modern consumer. their interactive Revlon Expression Experiment Facebook App includes how-to video tutorials with celebrity makeup artists, weekly makeup application tips, product recommendations and most importantly monthly challenges!

as a participating blogger, i received a kit including 4 separate challenges:

1 // the bright eyes eye shadow challenge
2 // the perfect canvas makeup primer challenge
3 // the daring nail polish challenge
4 // the red lipstick challenge  - this month's challenge on the Revlon Expression Experiment Facebook App

what better way to usher in my 30s than RED LIPSTICK? challenge accepted!!!

 

 {source: revlon}

i typically wear a little concealer as spot treatment, a neutral eye shadow + a little mascara and a soft peach blush on the apples of my cheeks. very minimal. you could maybe even call my look "makeup boring". adding a red lip to my morning routine was anything but boring! and completely rev-ed up my wardrobe - my typical white t-shirt and skinnies felt "blair gone fashionista" w/ a bright red pout! how crazy is that!?! the challenge gave an extra bold boost to both my look and my confidence.

FOR WORK:                                        FOR PLAY:                                     FOR EVENING:
 

{l to r}
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Cherry Tart
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice
Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss in Fire

all 3 of the samples were amazing reds! but I personally like the ColorBurst Lip Butter in Cherry Tart the best. the buttery balm made my lips feel younger and healthier. and since i usually only wear gloss, the red was a bit less intimidating than the Lustrous Lipstick and ColorBurst Lip Gloss (a very thick, high pigment gloss).

a few tips to going RED:

avoid dark eye makeup. pair your red lipstick w/ light eye makeup. i wear a nude eye shadow w/ shimmer & a little mascara.

prevent bleeding. apply a little concealer around the edge of your mouth & powder to your lips to keep your color on your kisser!

avoid a red teeth disaster. after applying your lipstick, place your finger in your mouth, purse your lips around it and then slowly pull it out to remove excess color.

uh oh! check out this ehow link for "how to remove lipstick stains from fabric".

okay - now it's your turn! join the movement of self expression with the Revlon Expression Experiment Facebook App. there's still time to jump on this month's red lipstick bandwagon - and you'll be all set for next month's challenge! CLICK HERE to sign up and let me know below if it's a "challenge accepted".

hey munday! an interview over at "how about cake"

hello lovelies. well we did it! we survived the marathon - hills, heat and all. i'll be back w/ pictures and tales of our weekend tomorrow.

until then - check out this little interview i did w/ brad from how about cake:

:) talk soon!

adventures in container gardening: whitney farms!

this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms. all opinions are 100% mine.

happy Earth Day, friends! hope you're able to get outside today to enjoy the beautiful world God has created! what's more earthy than an update on our container garden:

 

this is our first attempt at gardening. we're growing lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber + okra and a whole bunch of different herbs. i'll admit it - i'm going through a bit of an obsessive stage. we don't have kids or room for a pet, so these little guys have become my babies. i might check on them every time i leave the apartment and i might visit gardening blogs and websites 2-3x a day.

when we planted our little garden i was concerned w/ 2 things: sun & water. little did i know how important the plant food and soil you choose are to your produce as well. i've found that Whitney Farms® comes w/ highest recommendation. and love that their organic plant food & organic soil are guaranteed to create a bigger, HEALTHIER harvest.

 

with 25+ years of leading gardening experience, Whitney Farms® is a full line of 100% natural plant foods and soil with no additives, nothing artificial, just ingredients from the earth. their specially designed protein-based blends provide your plants with both macro and micronutrients they need to grow and thrive. as a container gardener (if i can call myself that), i also love that their product is proven to have low to no dust and no manure odor - making it ideal for transferring plants in/out depending on the season.

 

Whitney Farms® is offering a case of the mundays' readers a $3.00 coupon to try out their product. get your coupon now! CLICK HERE.

okay - i'm off to ace hardware to pick up Whitney Farms® organic plant food & a couple bigger pots. we're growing out of the ones we initially bought!

{ guest post } preventing winter weight gain

hi friends! while i'm traveling today, my sweet friend kristen of naturally free rd offered to stop by w/ a guest post. just in time for thanksgiving, she has a few fantastic tips for "preventing winter weight gain".  

preventing winter weight gain:

if you’re like me, the winter months may make you to want to stay inside under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa. now that daylight savings has hit and it gets darker earlier, i find myself coming home from work and wanting to sit on the couch with a good movie. my normal (and usually easier) plan is to head to the gym for a workout class or meet a friend to go walking. so, i completely understand how hard it is to get yourself to the gym in the winter rather than do what your body wants, which is hit the couch. but i promise you that once you complete that workout, your body will thank you for the extra energy and the mood-lifting endorphins.

{source: photo: b. gustafson/styling: c. stills johnson}

3 tips to prevent weight gain: 

1. hit the gym at the right time: are you too exhausted after a long day at work to work out even though you know it will make you feel better? you may benefit from an early morning workout before you head to work. sure, you’ll have to get up earlier, but you will get a great workout in, and you won’t feel guilty for curling up on the couch to watch your favorite tv show after a long day on the job. not an early bird? keep gym clothes in your car, and head straight to the gym after work. do not go home first! once you make it home, there's always an excuse to stay in (especially when it's cold!). plan in advance to accomplish your workout goals. 


2. get REAL FOOD conscious: during the winter, vitamin d levels drop because you're not exposed to the best source of vitamin d ... sunlight. this is one reason why it’s very important to get your vitamin d levels checked regularly. consider a vitamin d supplement during the winter months. low vitamin d levels are linked to depression, and many people struggle with SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder) caused by not being exposed to as much light/sunshine. and the winter blues could lead to comfort eating. instead turn to real foods. foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, folate, & b12 are especially important. this includes wild salmon, walnuts, eggs, dark green leafy veggies, sunflower seeds & organic/grass-fed meat products. when you’re focused on eating foods that grow from the earth and less processed foods, the weight will naturally come off. 


3. don’t go overboard at holiday festivities: some people blame the winter pounds on the holidays. and if you’re someone that has multiple thanksgiving, Christmas, new years' parties to attend, you definitely have to work harder at preventing the weight gain than others. but it IS possible, and you CAN do it. the best way to not overeat at a holiday party is to eat a healthy snack right before the party. a handful of nuts is an easy snack to keep in your purse when you’re on the go. the healthy fats & protein in the nuts will keep your blood sugar from dipping and will give you a sense of being full so you’re not starving at the party. make sure you’re eating protein at every meal/snack to keep you feeling fuller longer also. most importantly ... when you’re at a party, don’t feel like you have to deprive yourself. enjoy the food, but just make sure you limit the items that are exceptionally high in calories/fat/sugar. load your plate up with veggies/fruit and protein first, then have a small portion of the higher carbohydrate items. did you know that sugar is just as addictive as cocaine? the more you eat it, the more your body wants it. focus on your veggies & protein during the winter months, and this will help you not go back for seconds and thirds on all those holiday desserts. 

enjoy this holiday season and remember the reason for it all! don’t stress over the little things, because we all know what stress does to our body too. have fun with all your loved ones, and safe travels to you all!

Naturally Yours,
Kristen M. Pardue, RD, LDN, CLC

about kristen & naturally free rd:

over a year and a half ago, kristen's health started falling apart. having always been healthy, she began dealing with extreme joint pain, swelling, tingling/numbness in her hands and twitching throughout her body. doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong, so she took matters into her own hands eliminating gluten from her diet & switching to organic foods & products throughout her home.  feeling 100% better today, kristen launched naturally free rd with the hope of helping others heal themselves as well.

----------------------------------

thank you so much, kristen! i personally am sp incredibly thankful for you and our friendship as i've transitioned to a gfree lifestyle. have questions about your weight or other nutrition issues in your life? feel free to reach out to kristen (kristenmpardue[at]gmail.com).

{ guest post } desirous of everything

today i'm guest posting over at desirous of everything:

i've posted a quick and easy DIY - mix & match {clip}art! another project for our bits and bobs wall. anxious to hang everything ... i started laying out all of our "bits" this morning. but wade and i agreed there are still a couple "bobs" missing! in particular the perfect frame for my paint by number bouquet and a round or oval frame (filled w/ who knows). hmf ... patience.

be sure to check out my post & tell sarah hi! :)

ooh ooh - win a $50 modcloth giftcard

hi people! this month i'm excited to be a sponsor over on desirous of everything complete w/ fun guest post {which i really need to wrap up and send over to sarah!}. in the meantime, check out this fantastic giveaway sarah is hosting to celebrate a blog milestone. a $50.00 gift certificate to modcloth? count me in!!!

so many pretty things ... what would you buy if you won?

clockwise from upper left:
coach tour dress in bleu {47.99}
from ear to eternity earrings {11.99}
go all out heel {59.99}
copywriter top {44.99}

{sponsor: Express} 50 free pairs!?!

this post brought to you by Express. all opinions are 100% mine.

after an extremely hot camping trip this past weekend, you can bet i'm beginning to daydream about the cooler weather just around the corner. 3 cheers for FALL!

my closet needs a little facelift this time each year. specifically i need new jeans! i wear the few pairs that i have at least 5 days a week ... all year long. today i've been cybershopping for a few new pairs. did you know that Express jeans come in 7 different cuts ranging in super skinny jeggings to wide leg?

for sometime i have been fighting the wide leg and flare revival. but these 2 pairs might just cure my hesitation this fall:

{click to shop}

luckily if you're like me - and it took you forever to commit to skinnies and now you LOVE them - they still have plenty of skinny jean options as well!

all Express jeans are currently buy 1, get 1 50% off!

and oh hey - and what better time to check out Express' women's jeans ... they are giving away 50 FREE PAIRS of jeans! check out the Express giveaway on their facebook page now to see how you can sign up! AND leave me a comment below letting me know which of their fall line you love and why.

the FRESCHETTA® Simply Inspired giveaway winner is ...

thanks to everyone that participated! and congratulations to ...

i'll reach out to you shortly to get you the loot! :)

A GIVEAWAY ... your final reminder!

today is the last day to sign up for the FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ giveaway. did i mention i'm throwing in this adorable little apron?

well i am! if you haven't signed up ... you need to A-SNAP! click the banner below.

{sponsor} FRESCHETTA® simply inspired + A GIVEAWAY! (expired)

this post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. all opinions are 100% mine.

since i’m still a bit under the weather, wade and i have been opting for easy meals this week. last night, we decided to try FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizza for the first time.

i’ll admit it … i’m not always susie homemaker. at times, we’re frozen pizza people - and we’re used to sacrificing that fresh homemade pizza taste for time saved. but with FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizza, we didn't have to sacrifice! using a blend of top-quality ingredients on a thin artisan crust, it delivers a delicious flavor i couldn't believe came from frozen! the fresh taste of homemade pizza minus the effort of putting it together.

"larger cuts of fresh-tasting vegetables. flavorful cheeses. vibrant sauces. experience a deliciously different pizza from toppings to bottom." i couldn’t agree more!

{check out the size of the veggies!}

check out the variety of combinations available:

• hawaiian style pizza
• farmers market veggie pizza
• harvest supreme pizza
• southern bbq recipe chicken pizza
• rustic pepperoni pomodoro pizza
• classic bruschetta pizza
• tuscan farmhouse pizza
• chicken bianco pizza

we picked up the farmers market veggie pizza. i am a visual person - if it looks good, i'm more likely to give it a try. and i love FRESCHETTA®'s FRESCH-TASTE SEAL™ packaging and the preview window (though it definitely made choosing a combination 1000x harder)!

plus - along w/ a better pizza, FRESCHETTA® has created a better package. their FRESCH-TASTE SEAL™ packaging locks in all the freshness and flavor and reduces their carbon footprint by reducing their packaging material by 30%!

so now it's your turn to try a FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizza of your own. they are giving away a coupon for a FREE pizza + a FRESCHETTA® bamboo cutting board of your choice.

and to make this giveaway even more fun … i’ve made a little mix/match apron to add to your collection. it's not perfect - but i think it's pretty darn cute!:

here’s how to enter (you can enter up to 3x!):

1 // follow @freschettaSI on twitter and/or “like” them on facebook. (bonus: the FRESCHETTA® simply inspired facebook page is offering weekly giveaways of awesome prizes through the rest of 2011. and right now, they have an opportunity to download a $2 off coupon!)

2 // be or become a follower of a case of the mundays either on twitter, facebook and/or blogger.

3 // visit freschettasimplyinspired.com and take the “what’s your flavor” quiz to learn more about their 8 great-tasting varieties, and find which flavor is simply … you! then share your flavor. {i’m the classic bruschetta – yum!}

this giveaway ends weds, may 4th @ midnight. this giveaway is closed.
i’ll announce the winner on the blog the next day!

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{sponsor} express

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express. All opinions are 100% mine.


it was 70 outside last weekend ... and today they are forecasting a high of 65. Is it really February?!?
it's days like these when i daydream about summer vacation. i'm secretly hoping (taxes willing) to head to hawaii this summer to visit my sister and her husband after they relocate there this spring. and that would of course mean i'd need a new swim suit (or two)!

which brings me to the NEW spring women's swimwear collection at express:

{click to shop}

i'm torn over which of these bikinis is my absolute favorite. stripes are so much fun ... but i love the flirty ruffles too. and i'm crazy over the bright colors which look amazing on any skin tone!!!

AND what better way to stock up for summer than w/ a $200 express giftcard! sign up today through 4/21 for Express e-mail and a chance to win one of ten $200 express giftcards (sweepstakes rules).