Flyers Rice Krispie Treats!

Flyers rice krispie treats we made for today's Memorial Day picnic! They turned out pretty good considering it was my first attempt :) We dyed the marshmallow orange, which you can't really tell here. Next time, I'd definitely make the orange brighter, but I think they look great! Thanks for the Flyers cookie cutters, Mom!

The weather is beautiful here today! Perfect for swimming. Hope you all have a fun day and great weather!! Let's not forget, also, to spend a moment today or tomorrow thinking about our servicemen and women. We celebrate this weekend in memory and thanks to them all.

Halladay Pitches Perfect Game!!

 (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Congrats to Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies for pitching a perfect game tonight against the Florida Marlins! Only the 20th perfect game in Major League history!
Nice job Roy!!

Fun Host/Hostess Gifts!

So this weekend is the first holiday weekend of the picnic/barbecue season. If you're like me, you always want to bring something, but you're not the best cook in the world. I like to make stuff but I'm not always confident that it's gonna turn out well (or edible). Here are a few cool items I found that any host would be thrilled to receive.

Viva Ice Pitcher (74oz.) -- Keep your beverage cold without watering it down with this pitcher's removable ice chamber.

Available from Uncommon Goods for $18.00

Bamboo Flatware -- Reusable flatware that's casual and green. And at $4.95 for a 3 piece setting, you could get your host a 4 place settings for $20.

Available at Crate & Barrel.

Flower Chip & Dip Platter -- (Aren't they adorable!) Made of melanine and dishwasher safe, they're available in the 2 colors shown. This would be so nice for chips or veggies and dip.

Available at Pier 1 Imports regularly for $19.95 (but on sale now for $13.96!)






I also found a bunch of cool things from CB2, Crate & Barrel's hip sister-site. Lots of cool, inexpensive extras to add some fun & whimsy to your gifts.

Cow Appetizer Plates (Andy Warhol) -- $1.50 each!

Party People Glass Markers (set of 12) -- $6.95

Toothpiks (set of 24) -- $5.95

Finger Food Plates (set of 10) -- $9.95

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!! :)

What is it with brain bleeds lately?!

I just read that Gary Coleman has passed away at the age of 42 as a result of a brain hemorrhage. His was apparently a result of a fall, but this is a scary thing! And so sad. First Brett Michaels and now poor Gary Coleman. May he rest in peace.

I always thought about brain bleeds as a TV injury. I knew they could happen in real life but I don't remember hearing about them  really happening. And now 2 happened within 1 month. Just one more thing for worriers to worry about! Yep, I'm a worrier. I fully admit it. I try not to be, but sometimes I just get an idea in my head and it runs around in there, causing me to worry.  I promise, to my friends and family reading, and to all of you, that I won't seriously start worrying about brain bleeds, but it is frightening when it happens to 2 people within a short period of time. Just makes you think about how short life can be. Makes you really appreciate every minute, y'know?

Friendly Friday!

It's time for Friendly Friday! Friendly Friday is a great way to find new readers and followers for your blog! It's hosted by three lovely ladies: Christi at The Frugal Novice, Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier &  Charla at Healthy Home Blog! Be sure to follow their blogs and say hello!

So thanks for visiting! If you're new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay! I'm having such a good time writing this blog and I'm really enjoying meeting all of you! So thank you so much for stopping by! Don't be a stranger! (Enter my CSN Stores Giveaway while you're here too!)

I'm getting ready for a busy holiday weekend. I'm still not sure what I'll be making to bring to picnics on Sunday, so I have some work to do tomorrow. If you have any quick and easy recipe ideas, I'd love to hear them. I always tend to wait to the last minute and then I get stressed about it. Hopefully I'll figure something out fairly early tomorrow. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend with beautiful weather!

Thanks for stopping by!

*You can find a list of blogs participating by clicking the Friendly Friday button at the top of the post. Be sure to also visit the 3 featured blogs this week!*

This Weather is Giving Me a Headache!

Literally! My sinuses are so angry. The weather keeps changing and the pressure in my head is no fun. Advil has been my best friend for the last 2 days and it's gonna get worse when the front goes through tonight. It's been so hot for the past two days. Temp was in the 90's yesterday. (It's still May for crying out loud!) I couldn't even be on our 3rd floor yesterday. It was pretty unbearable up there. And tonight the front is supposed to go through with some thunderstorms to cool it off. That sounds great, but it means my head is gonna get pretty mad again before it's all said and done. Anybody have any secret family headache-relief secrets? I would try most anything at this point.

Wordless Wednesday - Peonies

The Peonies are blooming! I love this time of year!

You'll find more Wordless Wednesday entries at 5 Minutes for Mom and WordlessWednesday.com.

100+ Follower Giveaway - Winner!

Out of 154 entries, Random.org chose...

And the winner is...

Congrats to lmurley2000!!! I'll be contacting you shortly for your address!

Thank you again to all of my followers and readers! I really do appreciate you so much!

CSN Stores Review & Giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed. I'll be announcing the winner soon.**

A few weeks ago, I won a set of Rachael Ray Bubble & Brown baking dishes from CSN Stores on A Stay-At-Home Mom's Frugal Finds and Reviews! (It's a great blog full of reviews, tips, recipes and more. Stop by and say hi to Felicia for me!) I was so thrilled to win them. (They're awesome, by the way!) I was even more excited when CSN Stores asked me if I wanted to do a review or giveaway on my blog too!

Choosing the product I wanted to review proved to be a problem though. There were too many choices!! CSN Stores is home to 200+ stores, all in one convenient site! In one spot, you can get furniture, luggage, dishes, lighting, shoes, office supplies, toys, kitchenware and much more! The incredible selection made my decision much harder! I spent a lot of time browsing the site. As impressed I was with the selection, I was even more impressed with the low prices! You will save money shopping at CSN Stores. The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 14 piece cookware set, for example, is $70 cheaper on CSN Stores than it is at a chain competitor. Plus shipping is free! You can't beat that kind of savings!

After much debate, I decided I would review a pair of Aerosoles sandals. I have always appreciated Aerosoles for their comfort and style. I chose the Aerosoles Punchline sandals in Black Patent leather.

(Aren't they cute?!)

First of all, they came SUPER-FAST. We placed the order May 14. They shipped May 17 and arrived May 18!!! Shipping on these sandals is free (as is shipping on many other items at CSN Stores!) and right now they're offering a free 2-day upgrade! Yep, place an order for these and you'll get yours super-fast too!

I wanted to give you a better look at the braided accent on the front of the thong sandal and how they actually looked on feet. (Please excuse my less-than-perfect pedicure and my paler than pale feet!)

So we know that these sandals are adorable. The black patent leather is beautiful and shiny and they'll go with everything. You'll be able to dress them up or down. But are they comfortable?! YES! The footbed is super padded. The soles are flexible, yet still pretty supportive.  I tested them out this weekend at 2 family parties. Granted, I wasn't walking a marathon in them, but for the average picnic, they tested to be very comfortable -- 2 days in a row.

They also come in an assortment of colors! (From Top to Bottom: Bronze, Blue Metallic, Silver, White Patent Leather and Black Patent Leather.)

These sandals are perfect for all of the spring and summer parties you have coming up! And with all of the color choices, you're sure to find a pair that matches! These sandals are also a great price at only $29.99!!

So... CSN Stores has generously offered my readers a giveaway! 

1 winner will have their choice of a pair of Aerosoles Punchline Sandals (in winner's choice of size AND color!) or a $30 CSN Stores gift certificate! So if you love these sandals, like I do, you can win a pair for yourself. And if you'd rather get something else, you can choose the gift certificate. It's win-win! *Please note that colors and sizes are subject to availability*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to enter:

For your first, and mandatory, entry: Please go to CSN Stores and let me know one item you'd love to have.

Extra Entries:
(Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you do. Also make sure you leave your email address, so I can contact you if you win!)

- Follow my blog on Google Friend Connect (see sidebar) - 1 entry
- Subscribe to my blog (see sidebar) - 1 entry
- Follow me on Twitter @jodibeedesigns - 1 entry
- Tweet this giveaway (leave a link in comments where I can find it) - 1 entry per day
- Grab my blog button and put it on your blog (see sidebar) - 1 entry
- Blog about my giveaway (include a link) - 2 entries
- "Like" CSN Stores on Facebook and leave a note on their wall telling them you entered my giveaway. (please leave your first name and last initial so I can check entries) - 2 entries

That's it! Giveaway will end on June 9 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents, 18 or older. I will choose 1 winner via Random.org. I will post the winner's name and email them. Winner will have 48 hours to reply with address and prize choice. If I don't receive a response within 48 hrs, I will choose another winner. *Please remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. If I can't contact you, I'll have to choose someone else.*

Good luck!!!

CSNstores sent me the pair of sandals free to facilitate my review. They are also supplying the prize for the giveaway. I was not compensated for my review and the opinions here are solely mine.

5 Must-have Fashionable Pieces to Pack for Every Weekend Trip

I don't know about you, but I take a lot of weekend trips in the spring and summer. We always have family parties or weekend getaways that require easy packing for just a day or two. My boyfriend lives about an hour away from me, so if we have a party with his family, I pack a bag and stay up there. I like to pack as light as possible, but these 5 are necessities!

1. Comfortable, cute shoes. (This usually means my brown or black thong sandals, depending on the outfits I've packed. Both are cute dressed up or down.)
2. A light sweater or jacket. (Having one each in brown, black and white get me through all seasons)
3. A nice pair of comfortable jeans (for cooler nights outside)
4. Bathing suit. (I always pack my tankini, especially during the summer months. You never know when swimming could be suggested and I like to be prepared)
5. A comfortable dress that can be dressed up or down, depending on accessories.

You can find even more great tips and information on the Discussion Page here.

2 Coupon Offers are also being offered:

Gap Outlet Offerings 

Gap Outlet is offering a doorbuster sale with up to 40% off all adult items and 30% off all kids items from May 25-31, 2010!  THEN, Gap Outlet extends the sale with up to 50% off select styles! Also, Gap Outlet is offering an exclusive coupon code to the TwitterMoms community for an additional 15% discount on all purchases, with a minimum spend of $75. This exclusive additional discount is available to all TwitterMoms friends and family from May 25 - June 7, 2010! 

Banana Republic Factory Store Offerings

Banana Republic Factory Store is offering 40% off the ENTIRE STORE from Wednesday 5/26/10 – Monday 5/31/10 ONLY! In addition, Banana Republic Factory Store is offering an exclusive coupon code to the TwitterMoms community for an additional 15% discount on all purchases, with a minimum spend of $75.  This exclusive additional discount is available to all TwitterMoms friends and family from May 25 through June 7, 2010, so hurry to your closest location today.

Get your coupons today at http://gap.twittermoms.com

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Gap Outlet blogging program to be eligible to win a $20 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

100+ Followers Giveaway Ends tonight!!

If you haven't already, take a moment and enter my 100+ Followers Giveaway. One winner will be able to choose either a $15 Itunes or $15 Walmart gift card! The giveaway ends tonight (5/25) at 11:59pm est.


Good luck!!

Free Boscia Blotting Linens

Boscia is offering a free 25-sheet pack of their Green Tea Blotting Linens when you sign up for their emails here.

*I'm not sure how long this offer will last, so sign up soon if you're interested!*

Follow Me Back Tuesday! (5/25)

Yep, it's that time again! It's Follow Me Back Tuesday!

Thanks for stopping by to say hello!! Today is the last day to enter my Walmart/Itunes giveaway, so be sure and enter! This morning, I'm still on a natural high because our boys in orange & black advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals last night! Today is a very good day for Flyers' fans! :) I hope you all are having a great day as well!

Follow Me Back Tuesday is hosted by Survey Junkie, Little Yaya's, Review Retreat and Boobies, Babies & A Blog!

Be sure to check out the list of bloggers participating and visit some of there blogs!

Lord Stanley, Here We Come!!!

10 Things That Make Me Happy!

It's Monday afternoon and this is the time each week I usually need a reminder of good stuff to get me out of the dumps. My weekends, especially in the Spring and Summer, tend to be jam-packed and come Monday, I'm still pretty tired.

This past weekend, for example, I went to see the Reading Phillies on Friday night. Then Saturday I had a lunch date and some shopping with my boyfriend. We had a friend visiting in town for the weekend, and bunch of us stayed up til almost 2am playing Beatles Trivial Pursuit. (So fun!!) We then headed to Allentown (yep, at 2am!), spent the night and got up early for my boyfriend's cousin's Confirmation and birthday party. After the party, we drove back from Allentown to a Lost Series Finale viewing party! So I was up until 1am again last night. I told you we were busy!

So Mondays, after a busy weekend, I am always feeling a little less than rested. I tend to have a bad case of the Mondays til about Tuesday afternoon! So little reminders of things I love always help my mood. So I'm going to share 10 things with you. 10 products, books, movies, snacks, etc that make my day a bit brighter. I'll even link them up so you can check them all out for yourselves!

So here are this afternoon's 10 Things That Make Me Happy:

In no particular order:


1. Starbucks' Iced Caramel Macchiato

(My favorite Springtime treat! They are so sweet and delicious - perfect on a warm day! *For an extra treat, ask for extra caramel!* )


2. Badger Balm - Sweet Orange Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

(Just the right texture and flavor. I love that it's a fatter stick too. And it's a great price - Only $5!)


3.  Scattergories!

(Roll to see which letter you're playing with and get thinking & writing! Fun game whether you have 10min or 2 hours!)


4. Sonic

(We never had a Sonic before a couple of months ago, and now I can't get enough. Their tots are perfect! And the ice in the fountain sodas is the perfect size. It's a really good coke.)


5.  Serendipity (the film)

(My favorite romantic comedy! John Cusack is adorable in this film and it takes place in my favorite city, NYC!)


6. Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

(The best ice cream I've ever had! It's creamy and oh so good. It's full-fat ice cream though, so save it for a treat if you're watching your figure for swimsuit season. I usually save this for Monday nights when I especially need it. It always cheers me up.)


7. Pangea Organics Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Facial Cleanser

(It's creamy, soothing, and smells great! And it's organic so you can feel good about using it on your skin!)


8.  Food Should Taste Good - Olive Chips

(Green, Black & Kalamata olives with garlic and sea salt in a tortilla chip. Soooo good with hummus or on their own!)


9. Moon River

(I especially love this version from the film with Audrey Hepburn singing. Click the link if, for some crazy reason, you've never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's. You'll love it too, I'm sure.)


10.  Bigelow Tea's Pomegranate Pizzazz.

(This is my night time treat before bed. It's fruity and delicious and it won't keep you up at night!)



So there's today's list. Stay tuned for more next week. I also want to have some other bloggers contribute their lists. I think it would be a great way to get to know each other! If you'd like to put together a list and be featured, please email me!