‘Giveaway’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Honey Bunches of Oats & the Starring You Sweepstakes

September 30, 2016 · Ad-Free, Narrative

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own. And my opinion? We love cereal.

When it comes to breakfast cereal, the kids and I are all over the map.

Or the cereal aisle, as the case may be.

Nick likes two or three kinds of cereal that Madeline doesn’t.

She likes two kinds of cereal that I don’t.

And, well, pretty much nobody likes the ones that I do.

Sound like your house too?

But when it comes to Honey Bunches of Oats, surprisingly, that’s the one cereal we can all agree on.

Now because there are several varieties of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, I wouldn’t go so far as to say we all agree on the same one… but at least we’re in the same ballpark. Which is ok because there are 12 (yes, twelve!) different varieties to choose from.

Both kids honestly hate honey, but don’t mind the gentle honey nuances in the cereal, which is good, because I happen to love honey.

More honey, more better.

And we all love the crunch it delivers.

Because there are so many varieties of Honey Bunches of Oats, they are really celebrating the variety of flavors and textures in your bowl (and your taste buds!), and they have launched a new campaign called THIS. IS. EVERYTHING. Because, really, starting your day off with the right bite is what it’s all about, right? You might have noticed some recent ads for this campaign, and the Honey Bunches of Oats team has launched a new microsite to give fans (you and me) a chance to create our own cute little video. The kicker? You have a chance to win $10,000 for your THIS. IS. EVERYTHING. video, so … do it. I did. You can make your video right here.

And that’s not all. If you make your own video, which seriously takes less than five minutes and features your cute face and that of your fam, and drop the link to your video in a comment below, I will choose one lucky winner to win a $75 Visa gift card and a box of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal.

Who wouldn’t love a $75 gift card?!

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A Day in the Life {Milk Life}

October 22, 2015 · Ad-Free, Narrative

The folks at Milk Life asked me to talk about A Day in the Life of our home and how I instill healthy eating habits, and as the kids had a heated debate over who was going to eat the last Nutella and Go, I had to chuckle.

Because that’s really it right there.

Nutella is life.

I mean, it has dairy in it, right?!

No, no, no … that isn’t my message.

At least not this time.

An hour earlier and they were divvying up the roasted broccoli to make sure they each had a heaping plateful.

And that’s my message.

All things in moderation.

I don’t harp on what is healthy, and what isn’t healthy necessarily. I more or less guide the kids as to what may be a better choice, and what we need to keep a rein on (see: Nutella), and it’s served me well over the years.

Madeline eats cherry tomatoes like they’re Hershey Kisses. And Nick loves to snack on frozen grapes and yogurt. And yesterday, when they saw I came home with a bunch of broccoli for dinner, they high-fived each other. Because roasted broccoli is everything. No joke.

From the time we wake up to the time we hit the pillow, we just try to make smart choices most of the time.

A grab-and-go breakfast like these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, a granola bar, a Go-Gurt, or something else along those lines.

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Four Things You Might Not Know About Milk {and a Giveaway}

September 29, 2015 · Narrative

Milk. It does a body good.

Anyone remember that slogan from, um, 1980, or am I dating myself?

A few years ago, when I attended the Food Blog Forum in Orlando, I was the lucky winner of one of the door prizes … a year’s worth of milk from the very generous Florida Dairy Farmers. And I swear that was as good as winning $500.

Because we go through a ridiculous amount of milk in our home. To the tune of nearly two gallons a week. Which is kind of awesome, but it also means I’m at Costco every week picking up more.

Clearly I need to win another year’s supply because the kids, particularly Madeline, can drink me under the table.

But I needn’t complain. Because it’s actually (and perhaps surprisingly) one of the most affordable ways to make sure the kids get enough calcium, vitamin D, and potassium in their diet.

But milk is for more than just kids.

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New Build-A-Bear Product Line {and Giveaway}

June 19, 2015 · Ad-Free

The following is sponsored content. All thoughts and opinions are my 100% my own.

Last week, Madeline came to me and told me that we hadn’t been to Build-A-Bear Workshop since she was in Kindergarten.

A whole year ago!

And now, all of the sudden, it was a desperate situation and we needed to go NOW and get her another bear.

I went through all the excuses … she had just gotten a bear during Spring Break … she has a TON of stuffed animals … all of which fell on deaf ears.

She was so determined, she went to get her piggy bank to start counting her money to offer to pay for it herself.

And that’s exactly what she did.

The next day, while her brother was out at an event, I took her to the store and she used her own, hard-earned money to get the next bear to add to her collection.

I did, however, spring for one outfit.

Because a naked bear just wouldn’t do.

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Weekend Photos in Review

November 10, 2014 · Photos

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Review: Dreft Laundry Detergent {and a Giveaway!}

November 6, 2014 · Ad-Free

I have a few things I am picky about.

Alright, it may be more than a few things…

The dishwasher, for sure, particularly how it’s loaded (just ask Sarah). Even though I don’t think it’s pickiness in as much as it is just the way I happen to do it.

And laundry.

Most particularly, the way it smells and feels.

When Nick was a baby, a friend and a pediatrician both mentioned Dreft detergent. And I was pretty much in from the word go. One of the things I look for when choosing a laundry detergent is something that doesn’t have an overpowering scent. I want it to smell clean. Not like a field of flowers. To smell fresh, but not to smack you in the face when you put on a shirt.

Simple but important requirements.

And when I started having kids, I added one more requirement. It had to be safe for the baby’s skin, so I didn’t have to worry about them breaking out.

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Recipe: Macaroni & Cheese {#CascadeShiningReviews}

October 16, 2014 · Ad-Free, Narrative

A deliciously cheesy and easy macaroni and cheese recipe AND clean dishes after a run through the dishwasher? Sign me up.

The weather is starting to (finally) match the calendar and cooler temperatures are upon us. Which means it’s the perfect time for comfort food.

But, truth be told, I can find a reason for comfort food twelve months out of the year.

I mean. Really.

And very few dishes scream COMFORT FOOD quite like mac and cheese.

Besides the delicious cheese factor.

And the fact that it’s kid-approved.

And, well, ok, Mom-approved.

Is the notion that it is perfect for a crazy weeknight of cheer or scout meetings.

Or a crazy weeknight of life in general.

Who are we kidding?

Whether you make it ahead to just heat and eat, or throw it together while supervising homework duties, it’s simple and flavorful, and just downright pure awesome in a dish.

I made a double batch and invited some friends over.

For a few reasons.

I’m a big fan of cooking and sharing. Saves me the math of trying to halve recipes for my family, and I don’t have to worry about leftovers languishing in the fridge. And who doesn’t love a random text like “Hey, plenty of food, come on over for dinner and take the night off tonight?” I mean, those are kind of my favorite to both send and receive. And I had more Cascade Platinum packs to share, and inviting friends over is the perfect opportunity to give them away.

Because if those Cascade packs are going to show off, it’s totally going to be all over the starchiness that gets stuck on dishes after mac and cheese has been stuck on it and sitting for awhile.

Amiright?

This recipe for mac and cheese is one of our go-tos. Simple, using on-hand ingredients, and a pinch-hitter for when you haven’t planned ahead or want to host impromptu friends.

Which pretty much describes most days.

And just like the last time I mentioned the Cascade Platinum pacs, they are giving away another prize pack to a lucky reader. One winner will be chosen from the comments below. You have from now until midnight EST on Friday, October 25. You may receive additional entries by following me on Instagram, following me on Twitter, and tweeting this giveaway. Good luck!

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Review: Cascade Platinum {and a Giveaway!}

September 21, 2014 · Ad-Free, Narrative

My dishwasher and I have a love/hate relationship.

I love the fact that I have one.

But I hate the fact that I need to pre-rinse everything before I load it up.

In fact, my plumber, during one of our many conversations about my dishwasher, told me that I should actually completely clean everything before I load it into the dishwasher.

Which is when I wondered what the whole point of having the dishwasher really was.

I mean, really.

Luckily, quite the opposite is true if you’re using Cascade Platinum pacs. In fact, they encourage you NOT to pre-rinse your items before you load. As the Cascade folks explained, the pacs actually work better when there is food left ON the dishes, because the special enzymes latch themselves onto the foods, break it down, and then wash it away. If there’s nothing there, it can’t work as hard for you.

And, well, you can imagine this was music to my ears.

And because I didn’t know such a magical thing existed (and that would prove my point to my plumber), Cascade encouraged me to throw a party to educate my friends as well.

As if I need an excuse to throw a party.

#takingonefortheteam

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FlossandBrush.com {Cheap and Convenient}

August 15, 2013 · Ad-Free

So here’s two things you might not know about me.

One, I am ridiculously vigilant about changing our toothbrushes very regularly. For a variety of reasons. And even more often when someone has been sick. And well, just ick. One of my germophobe tendencies that I make no apologies for. *And besides me being a weirdo about this, the American Dental Association says you should change your toothbrush every three months anyway.

And two, I am all for convenience.

If there is a way to combine those two things? I’m on it like white on rice.

For realz.

I am a big fan of automation. Of things magically being taken of without me even having to think about it. Or order it. Or go get it. No second thoughts, ever.

More ways to make life easier? Puh-leeze. And sign me up.

I have a list of items that I “subscribe and save” to on Amazon. I set how often we need it, and they magically ship it to me on that schedule without me ever reminding them (perfect for things like vitamins, for example). My contact lenses? I have that on automatic shipment too (and one of these days, I’m going to write a post all about it). Every four months, a new package arrives on my doorstep with new fresh lenses, and I didn’t have to think twice about it.

Magic.

So when I was able to combine the magic of automation with my penchant for changing our toothbrushes on the regular?

You didn’t need to ask me twice.

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Electrolux Perfect Temp Drawer, Kelly Ripa, and Gourmet Popsicles

August 13, 2013 · Ad-Free

Bet you’re wondering how those things are all related? Just you watch.

So, did you know that Electrolux makes refrigerators? No? Good, so then it wasn’t just me. I am well versed in their vacuum-speak, but their market space in the refrigerator sector was definitely new to me. And I’ve got to say, now that I’ve seen their line, I’m in love.

I mean, they’re pretty darn gorgeous.

We have had our refrigerator forever. And I love it. First major purchase that The Ex and I bought for our first house back in 1999. But when it goes?

I’ve got my eyes on these gorgeous gems.

The Perfect Temp Drawer is a serious bonus, because I’m kind of paranoid about food poisoning, and things being stored properly, and everything being the right temperature.

Years of living with my mom will do that to you.

So the fact that this drawer will keep everything just right, so I don’t have to worry about it?

Sold.

So very sold.

Now through August 22, visit www.livelovelux.com and enter the Electrolux Perfect Temp Sweepstakes daily for a chance to win your own Electrolux French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator and a trip to a climate with a perfect temp – the sunny Abaco Islands in The Islands Of The Bahamas. And if you win, take me. Okay? I mean, it seems only fair. I *am* telling you about the contest and all. That is, if I don’t win.

For every entry and share, Electrolux will donate $1 to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) with the goal of reaching $125,000.

Oh! And Kelly Ripa! Of course, you’ve seen her commercials and ads for Electrolux, so you know how much she loves the appliances too. She recently shared a few original recipes for popsicles (yes, please!), and that sounds like the perfect thing to celebrate the near-end of summer … as we wait to win our fancy new refrigerator. Go get ’em!

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Summer Bucket List: Lemonade Stand

June 27, 2013 · Ad-Free

It wouldn’t be an O’Malley Summer Bucket List if the phrase “lemonade stand” didn’t appear on it. We have been trying to have one over the last few weekends, but between a heat wave, days upon days upon days of rain (we currently have torrential downpours now, as I type this, along with a tornado watch), or sports schedules, the odds have not been in our favor. But we’re a determined bunch and it will be happening with the next two weekends.

I can almost guarantee it.

And in the meantime? We are gathering our supplies and planning our mission. And this time, we have two secret weapons in our arsenal.

1. To make sure to appeal to adults, as well as kids, we’ll be selling International Delight Iced Coffee, as well as lemonade. I know! Gettin’ fancy up in here.

2. We’ll be using these awesome lemonade stand printables that Kim from The TomKat Studio has put together. Because, really, this isn’t just your average lemonade stand.

Nick has really wanted to work this summer. For the time being, he is making rubber bracelets (that fit both kids and adults), and is donating half the proceeds to the local animal rescue group that we work with. We’re planning on doing the same thing with the lemonade stand money that the kids raise. Having a lemonade stand is a great way to give your kids an opportunity to earn a little bit of money (and, in our case, give back as well), and it’s a perfect summer rite of passage.

Because, really, what car or neighbor walking by is going to pass up two cute kids selling lemonade and iced coffee for a good cause?

I certainly wouldn’t!

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Cooking with Country Crock and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter {Wrap-Up}

June 26, 2013 · Ad-Free

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Unilever.

First things first, the giveaway winner. Tabathia, comment #16, was the winner of the Wal-Mart gift card – congrats! And thanks to all of you that entered – way to turn out!

Although Country Crock is a staple in my refrigerator, this challenge was the first time that I actually cooked with it. And it won’t be the last. With 70% less saturated fat than butter and 30% fewer calories, it’s hard to ignore those stats, and, quite frankly, it’s an easy swap-out to make. I’m all for changes that are simple and don’t require a lot of thought. And, of course, my little toast monsters in the house use Country Crock as their go-to when spreading something on their warm toast. Because there’s nothing worse than your bread being torn to pieces by attempting to spread cold butter on it.

And what better way than to show you?

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