Real California Cheese: Pair Savvy

Pair Savvy is a user-friendly application that works on both iPhone and Android devices and allows users to search by cheese, wine or beer varieties based on personal preference. California cheesemakers make more than 250 varieties and styles of Real California Cheese, everything from bandage wrapped Cheddar to award-winning Brie.

Here’s how it works:
Download Pair Savvy to your mobile device and you can select by cheese, wine or beer. If you don't have a compatible mobile device, users can still use the Pair Savvy site to find savvy pairings.

Pair Savvy will come up with a pairing that has a list of suggested cheeses, California cheesemakers and brand names they can purchase at retail. So cool!

Some pairings even suggest fruit accompaniments, which is great when putting together a cheese plate or display. Users can also save pairings and rate the pairings they have tried. There’s even a “Surprise Pairing” option for the more daring at heart.

This fun app is available for free download, just in time for holiday events. A beautiful, perfectly paired selection of cheeses and beverages will make you the most celebrated host or hostess and the favorite guest at every party you attend.

Real California Cheese Pair Savvy is available today to most smart phone users through their mobile browser

For the iPhone: Visit the App Store, search for “Pair Savvy” then download for free (available soon).

For Android users: Visit the Android Marketplace, search for “Pair Savvy” then download for free.

Better yet, Pair Savvy is linked to Real California Milk so the app will update automatically with no need to download future updated versions.

Dairy products – including cheese – made with California milk can be identified by the Real California Milk and Real California Cheese seal, which certifies that the products are made exclusively with milk produced on California dairy farms. Ninety-nine percent of California dairy farms are family-owned. California produces more fluid milk, butter, ice cream, yogurt and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese, which is available nationally under the Real California Cheese seal.


Disclosure:  I was entered into a drawing for a gift card through my membership with One2One Network for posting about this unique combination of pairing the right wine with the right cheese.  I have downloaded the app to my phone and look forward to getting the right combination.

COMMUNITY {animated TV show review: 12/9 episode)

I love this time of year, all of the "animated" tv shows come to life.  These shows bring me back to my childhood and now I can enjoy them, old and new with my children.  Old animated shows like the original Frosty the Snowman to How the Grinch Stole Christmas to Shrek's Christmas, to now, "Community". 

There is a show on tv that I, unfortunately, have not watched yet, though for tonight and tonight only, they have made an animated show of it with top celebrities, i.e., Chevy Chase, Danny Pudi, etc.  The show is called "Community", and if the regular show is anything like the animated show, I definitely will be checking it out next week and weeks to come.

This show is about a boy named Abed who is searching for the meaning of Christmas.  Watching this show it made me think of what Christmas meant to me, really meant to me.  To me it is about being with my family and remembering memories and making new ones.  I love everything about Christmas.  What does Christmas mean to you???

You definitely need to check out this show tonight, at 8pm EST on NBC, and see if Abed found the meaning of Christmas and if so, what it meant to him.  This was a great episode, I really enjoyed and look forward to my family watching it with me tonight.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

Disclosure:  I reviewed this episode of Community through my membership with One2One Network.  I did not receive any monetary compensantation in writing this review.  The words are my own 100%.  I watched this show and loved it...

...FEATURING Norah Jones {Music Review}

Norah Jones' new album …Featuring is in stores today! The album is a star-studded collection of the multi-platinum selling, multi-Grammy Award winning singer’s musical collaborations from the past decade.

The 18 songs on the album include cool cameos, collaborations and duets with such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and with 21st Century icons from OutKast to the Foo Fighters. The album spans Norah’s entire career and reveal her astonishing musical versatility, from jazz to country, hip-hop to rock.

Check out the video for the Making of ...Featuring here.

For the latest news, tour dates and more, check out Norah's website, Facebook and You Tube Channel.
_________________________________________________________________________

...Featuring Track Listing:
1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

My review:
When Norah Jones hit song came out a few years ago, I instantly loved it - the song drew me in.  So, when I was offered the opportunity to review her new cd "Featuring" it seemed pretty much a proven fact that I would like it.  Boy, was I wrong - I LOVED IT!  Not only do I love it, but both of my daugthers love it to.  At 4 and 8, they definitely know what kind of music is good and which is bad.  This cd was definitely a hit!  Norah Jones has a voice of beauty.  Her voice is unlike any out there - different in a very good way.  I can't even begin to describe it, just that each song is different.  The sounds that come from her voice are legendary.  I wish I could sing as good as her.  The venue of music is from jazz, to hip hop to country, to blues - it puts you in so many different moods, all good and positve.  From one song, while listening you almost feel like sitting back, lighting some candles and sipping on a glass of wine, to wanting to watch Christmas movies (Baby It's Cold Outside), to getting up and dancing to relaxing in a bubble bath.  The songs are awesome and geared toward not one specific age group.  This cd will be a GREAT holiday present to any and all.

Disclosure:  I received this cd through my membership with One2One Network.  No monetary was given.

KT TUNSTALL: TIGER SUIT {Music Review}

Oh the genras of music.  Growing up, I truly only liked one type of music - Heavy Metal.  Yes, I was that crazy rock-n-roll chick who head banged and went to lots of concerts (can't picture it, can you?)

Now, as a mom of 3, a wife, and aged (still young though I might add), I still like heavy metal music, though I like a wider assortment. 

I was given an opportunity to review KT Tunstall's new cd:  Tiger Suit.  While I have heard of KT Tunstall before, I truly never continuously listened to her music, until now.  This album is amazing.  Her voice, the ballads, very relaxing, yet edgy (is that possible, yes, yes it is!).   This is now an album I listen to over and over in the car,together with my girls liking a few of their songs too.


Here are some facts about KT Tunstall that you may know and do not remember, or you may not know and now do:

* KT is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum, Scottish-born singer-songwriter


* Tiger Suit was released October 5th and her rollicking first single "Fade Like A Shadow" is already a Top 20 hit at radio.  (I love this song!)

* KT will be on tour this Fall (10/31-12/1) playing 17 US cities. Tickets are on sale now.

Oct 31   Crystal Ballroom     Portland, OR
Nov 1    Commodore Ballroom     Vancouver, BC
Nov 2    The Showbox SODO     Seattle, WA
Nov 4    Knitting Factory     Spokane, WA
Nov 5    Knitting Factory     Boise, ID
Nov 7    Knitting Factory     Reno, NV
Nov 8    Warfield Theatre     San Francisco, CA
Nov 11  The Music Box     Los Angeles, CA
Nov 12  House of Blues     San Diego, CA
Nov 16  Ogden Theatre     Denver, CO
Nov 18  Epic     Minneapolis, MN
Nov 19  The Vogue     Indianapolis, IN
Nov 21  Vic Theatre     Chicago, IL
Nov 22  The Crofoot     Detroit, MI
Nov 23  Phoenix Theatre     Toronto, ON
Nov 25  Club Soda     Montreal, QU
Nov 26  The Trocadero     Philadelphia, PA
Nov 27  9:30 Club     Washington, DC
Nov 29  House of Blues     Boston, MA
Dec 1    Terminal 5     New York, NY
__________________________________________________________________________________
* KT's previous hit songs include - the Grammy-nominated "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," "Suddenly I See," Other Side of the World" or "Hold On".

Sounds of Tiger Suit
Tiger Suit heralds the beginning of a new musical adventure for KT. Organic instrumentation is blended with dance-friendly textures, the results of which she has dubbed “Nature Techno” to encapsulate the album’s collision of raw, upfront rootsiness and sleek electronic textures.  Check out the video here.

 
You can become a fan of KT Tunstall on Facebook by clicking here.
You can also follow KT Tunstall on Twitter by clicking here.

This album is available for purchase now and can be ordered through Amazon.
Disclosure:  Through my membership with One2One Network, I was given the opportunity to review KT Tunstall's newest cd, Tiger Suit.  The opinions written above are my own and 100% honest.  I listened to the music and now love it. 

SCHOOL OF ROCK: FREE WEEK available NOW through October 31st

DO YOUR KIDS WANT TO ROCK? PLAY IN A BAND? PERFORM ON STAGE?

School of Rock is offering One2One Network members, family and friends a FREE WEEK at participating locations through October 31st.

School of Rock is the national leader in music education and has been teaching kids how to amaze audiences for more than ten years. They offer lessons in guitar, bass, vocals, drums and keyboards for kids ages 7 – 18. No experience necessary just eagerness to learn - School of Rock knows the best way to learn is by doing!

The school's mission is to inspire kids to rock on stage and in life! We love to rock and in support of their mission, that's why School of Rock is offering 1 FREE week to all kids now through October 31st.  They want to get all kids rockin!

What a unique opportunity this is.  I WISH there was a participating location where I live, as my kids would love to "rock out" and jam with others.  My 8 year old loves to string along her guitar, though definitely needs some lessons, however, she loves "pretending".  This opportunity may bring out that inner rocker in your child.  Check out now if there is a participating location near you - your kids will thank you!

FREE WEEK at SCHOOL OF ROCK available NOW

* Includes one private trial lesson (30-45 min) and one Rock 101 group class (90 min).

* To redeem call 866-371-0557, use code SORBLOG

OR

* Complete the online form and input the SORBLOG code in the Questions/Comments field and the school will contact you directly.

* Free week must be completed by Oct. 31, 2010

* Offer available at participating locations and is subject to scheduling and availability.

* Must mention code SORBLOG when contacting the school to receive the free week.
_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

ABOUT SCHOOL OF ROCK

School of Rock's performance-based curriculum teaches kids to play rock music in a unique and interactive way, which is changing the way kids learn to play music across America. Professional musicians teach students of all levels, developing both their music skills and confidence. School of Rock operates 58 schools in 23 states.

School of Rock’s core Performance Program lets kids show off what they’ve worked for – on stage! Kids learn performance, harmonies, musicianship and get to choose from new show themes every season. Students get ready for their gig with a 45-minute private lesson and a 3-hour group rehearsal each week.

Check out School of Rock on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure:  Through my membership with One2One Network, in posting about this program, I am eligible to win a Yamaha guitar or $50 gift card.

WEIGHT WATCHERS LOSE-A-PALOOZA (September 14, 2010)

Growing up I was alwas the "thin" girl, and could eat everything and anything.  That I feel is part to my fast metabolism, and plus I was always on-the-go.  Now, in my thirtys, happilly married with three beautiful children, I only wish I had that stelt body, though with a little more meat as I was quite thin.  I, today, am "content" with my figure, however, I would love to lose about 20 lbs.  Growing up with an overweight mother, I know first hand how hard it is to lose weight and the evilness behind peoples stares.  It is not very nice, nor is it very easy.  Being overweight is not all about excessive eating, sometimes it is just your metabolism and it may not work into over-drive like on others.  There are programs out there, and one is Weight Watchers.

From this, the one thing I try to instill in my family is to never, ever waste food.  To either start with smaller portions on your plate or try to finish all of what you give yourself.  There are too many people in this world who do not have any food, or means to getting it.  That is where Lose-A-Palooza comes in.  Lose-A-Palooza is a one-day social media event created to encourage participation in the Lose For Good® campaign to benefit Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

As part of the Lose For Good campaign, Weight Watchers will donate $1, up to a maximum of $60,000, to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger for each approved mention, acknowledgment or action related to “Lose For Good” made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and check-in via foursquare.

Important note: there is a difference between Lose For Good and Lose-A-Palooza. Lose For Good is a 7-week campaign, Lose-A-Palooza, on the other hand, is a one-day event as part of the Lose For Good campaign. The event runs one day only – September 14th – and its objective is to drive as much social media awareness as possible for Lose For Good. Every time Lose For Good is mentioned using an approved method on 9/14, Weight Watchers will track the mention and donate a dollar – up to $60,000.

PLEASE get involved by visiting Weight Watchers/Lose For Good and doing what you can to get the word out on September 14, 2010.  Every little mention will help Weight Watchers achieve their goal of donating $1.00, up to a donation amount of $60,000.

If you post about this on Twitter on September 14th, please use the #LoseForGood hashtag.
Save the date 9/14 Lose-A-Palooza-1 day only-Weight Watchers donates $1 for each #LoseForGood socmed mention http://bit.ly/LoseAPalooza

Today Only! Lose-A-Palooza -Weight Watchers donates up to $1 for each #LoseForGood social media mention http://bit.ly/LoseAPalooza

So, mark your calendars with a black sharpie for September 14th and make sure to either blog, facebook or twitter about these awesome event.  Help spread the word and get Weight Watchers to meet their goal of $1 for each Lose-A-Palooza mention.

Disclosure: Through my participation in One2One Network, this post is written by me to get the word out and for a chance at winning a gift card or Weight Watchers products. All opinions are my own. I was not enticed to write a favorable review.

CRYSTAL DEODORANT {Review}

I don't know about you, but I have been through my fair share of deodorants. It seems I will use one and after a few months, it doesn't work anymore and doesn't keep me dry. There are the deodorants that say they go on clear and won't get any white residue on your clothes - wrong! So, when I was given the opportunity to try a new deodorant, I was happy, though to be quite honest, I was a little skeptical of Crystal Body Deodorant as I have always used solid deodorant and this was liquid roll-on. I have tried liquid roll-on deodorant before and it was icky and sticky and I didn't like it at all.


After using this deodorant, I like it. Yes, when it went on it was wet and cold, though it dried within seconds and wasn't sticky and lasted all day. It had a deodorizing smell that was aromatic (lavender) and left me dry and non-smelly all day (basically, to put it in laymans terms - it lasted all day). And, there was no white residue on my clothes! Sha-wing!

Some key points of Crystal products are as follows:

Crystal® Respect the body™

• Crystal® is the original mineral salt deodorant brand (established in 1984)
• Crystal® is a natural deodorant that actually works
• Simple ingredients, simple promise: All day natural odor prevention
• Mineral salts create an invisible barrier that make it impossible for odor causing bacteria to grow
• Our deodorants are available in 28,000 stores worldwide (including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid)

Product Line:

• Both unscented (Crystal Body Deodorant®) and lightly scented (Crystal® essence)
• Crystal® Body Deodorant is available in 4.5 ounce Stick, 2.25 Oz. Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray
• Crystal® essence (Pomegranate, Lavender & White Tea and Chamomile & Green Tea) is available in 2.25 Oz Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray

A Few Other Points of Interest about Crystal®:

• Mineral salts work as a buffer between your skin and odor causing bacteria.
• Goes on lightly, won’t leave a white residue.
• Won’t stain clothes.
• Crystal Body Deodorant Stick lasts up to a full year of daily use! NO JOKE!
• Crystal deodorants do NOT need to be reapplied during the day. A single application under each arm lasts the entire day. ( Can endure even the toughest, longest workouts.)
• Endorsed by Cancer Treatment Centers.
• Rated safest in the Skin Deep database / Environmental Working (www.ewg.org)
• Compact Signer of the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics
• Never tested on animals (member of Leaping Bunny)

Right now there is a September Crystal Sale Price Promotion going on at CVS, no coupons, but rather limited time discount.
CVS Body Stick Deodorant ($5.99 online only pricing - savings of $1.00)
Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On ($3.99 online only pricing - savings of $0.50) [2009 Winner - All-Time Top 10 Classic Best of Beauty Award by Better Nutrition]
Crystal essence Pomegranate Roll-On ($4.99 online only pricing - savings of $0.50) [2010 Winner - Best Natural Deodorant by Better Nutrition Magazine]

To all you die-hard CVSers, use your ECB (Extra Card Bucks) to purchase Crystal Body Deodorant products.  I guarantee you will love it and thank me for telling you about this awesome deodorant.

If I was not given the opportunity to try this product, I would never even think to purchase it for two main reasons: 1) I have never heard of it, and 2) I did not have a coupon for it. I could glance at it on the shelf and not even give it a second thought. I am very glad I tried it, because I now will use Crystal Deodorant. Even if I don't have a coupon, which if you know me, you know that I normally do not buy anything without a coupon, so this must really work for me to buy without the savings. However, if I am going to spend money on a product that works - that to me is more savings than having a coupon and paying next to nothing for an item, especially if you have to re-apply the deodorant that you got next to nothing. Wake up in the morning, take your shower, apply Crystal Body Deodorant and be done with it. It truly lasts all day long!

Disclosure:  Through my membership with One2One Network, I was provided with Crystal Body Deodorant products to help abide in my review.  By receiving these products, it did not entice my opinion to write a favorable post.  I tried the product and truly loved it.  I also was entered into a drawing to win a gift card.

PEPPERIDGE FARM: Strawberry Milano - Savoring the Sweetness of Life

Ahh, the love of chocolate... Ahh, the love of strawberries. Combined - absolutely, just as good (if not better)! Yes, you read right. Milano’s newest cookie - Strawberry Milano cookies. Oh how I love thee chocolate, and moreso, love strawberries - combined in a cookie form, even better. I can just picture the flavor - a outer cookie shell with rich dark chocolate and scrumptious strawberry in the middle - every bite bursting with the combined flavor of chocolate and strawberry. (Boy, can I go for a Strawberry Milano cookie now!)

I have always enjoyed Milano cookies, growing up as a child and now as an adult. My favorite has been the Double Chocolate Milano cookie. Actually, to this day, there is not a Milano brand coolie that I do not like or have ever turned my nose up to try a new flavor.

I have yet to try the Strawberry Milano cookie, however, with this $1.00 coupon, I will be picking up a bag to enjoy with the family. Actually, my son is leaving for college next Friday (can you see my eyes starting to well up now) and since he too loves Milano cookies, I will pack him a bag in his care package of goodies. Once he opens his care package up, I am sure he will be overjoyed as he will have a little of home with him.

Do you LIKE Milano Cookies on Facebook? If not, go here and LIKE them.

Eating Milano cookies is like savoring the sweetness of life. This past summer I savored the sweetness too many times to count, though my biggest moment was watching my son walk across the stage and graduate with his classmates from high school. Believe me, I have always prayed for this day to come and knew it would, I guess it was the anxiety leading up to it. You see, my son is a straight A student, and I believe he fell into “Senioritis” during his Senior year (as I am sure others do). My son has developed, through his love of sports, a cracked spine. With many doctors appointments, surgery, missed school days, I was very hopeful to see him graduate - and guess what? I did! Seeing him walk across that stage, proudly, grinning from ear to ear, an accomplishment, one of many more to come in his future. That moment is how I savored the sweetness of life this summer. How did you savor yours???

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign through One2One Network. The opinions and words written above are my own. By writing this post, I will be entered to win a gift card.

Thank You Mom Reunions

This posting is to all daughters and sons out there, basically everyone with a MOM. PLEASE READ.....


I am truly blessed to have not only my family, but most importantly my MOM living close to me. Family is a huge part of my life, more so the matriarch of it all - my mother. I definitely am fortunate to have my mother not only living in the same state as me, but literally a few blocks away. Having 3 kids of my own, it is a blessing to have my mother/their grandmother close to home. Since my parents have retired a few years ago, they bought a camp in Lake George. Each and every summer they pack up and go to Lake George for the summer. Now it is only 1 hour away, still close enough to drive to, but far enough to not be able to visit each day. This makes the time that I do spend with her very special.

It is so nice to be able to talk on the phone or even a computer to my mom each day, though actually being able to go to lunch, shopping or even stop over to visit - that to me is appreciation - appreciation of my Mom and the fact that she is with me, each and every day.

Proctor & Gamble continues to celebrate moms everywhere with “Thank You Mom Reunions”, a nationwide contest to reunite Moms and their children for milestone family moments like graduations and birthdays they otherwise might have missed.

“Thank You Mom Reunions” will bring together 105 moms with their children, who are unable to do so on their own (15 per month for a 10 month campaign.)

Since Mother’s Day, participants have been submitting their stories online to be considered for a reunion with their mom or mother figure for the June contest. Thirty finalists have been selected and consumers will choose the 15 winners.

Winners will receive $1,000 travel voucher and portable digital video camera to capture their reunion and are encouraged to share the video on Thank You Mom.

Please, please, please, take the time out of your busy, hectic day to visit Thank You Mom and vote on your favorite entry, or submit one of your own for the next round of voting in July.

Remember, voting is limited to once a day, so bookmark this site and vote every day to vote for your favorite. By voting you are helping that entrant get that much closer to seeing their mother, or a mother seeing their child, or even grandchild.

Disclosure: I belong to One2One Network and received free product samples for participating in this campaign. My post is eligible for a gift card via random drawing by One2One Network.   My words are my own and have not been influenced at all by posting this.