Avalon Bay AB-WINE12S Wine Cooler Review

I received an Avalon Bay Wine Cooler for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

This summer has been amazing for the garden but all those organic veggies are really hampering my wine storage in the fridge… I usually like to keep a few bottles at the ready, just in case of emergency, but there is simply no room for any bottles among the bountiful greens, tomatoes, squash, peppers and herbs. Sad story but true.

Obviously, I jumped at the chance to try a wine cooler. (You know, once I realized that they weren't talking about the sweet and delicious wine-ish beverages popular when I was younger. Ahem.) I liked the  sleek look of the Avalon Bay Wine Coolers and thought one might fit in quite nicely in my kitchen. Perhaps giving me an excuse to hoard more wine. Yes!

I received the 12-bottle Avalon Bay Wine Cooler to review, but there is an 18-bottle version, too. It arrived in a double-walled cardboard box, ready to plug in and play. Or cool down some fine vintages, at least.

It's a pretty compact unit, not much bigger than a case of wine, so it is a good size for most kitchens. Our kitchen is not very big but I decided to put the Wine Cooler next to the sink, beside the cupboard that we keep our dishware in. The plain black and brushed steel look of the wine cooler blend in well with our granite countertops and natural wood cabinetry.

See? It doesn't take up much space at all, really. One caveat: the AB-WINE12S is a freestanding wine cooler and should not be placed inside a cabinet or nook because it needs air circulation to perform efficiently. I noticed that the temperature stays more consistent if I pull the unit away from the cabinet slightly so it can breathe. Like any good red wine should. If you are looking for a wine cooler to fit a specific cabinet or niche, you should check out front-venting wine refrigerators.

The sliding wire racks are removable, so you can accommodate other bottles or even, uh, boxes. No judgment! At just 24 lbs, you could even plug it in on the patio to keep some six packs cool at your next BBQ. So many options… 

One thing the AB-WINE12S is not meant for: food. Its cooling range is great for white wines or red but 51-64ºF is not going to keep your leftovers safe for eating. This is a wine cooler, NOT a dorm fridge! Although it would certainly be the coolest dorm fridge ever. And if you stocked it with wine, you would probably be the most popular kid on your floor. I digress.

If you find you need more space for your wine, the AB-WINE12S is an affordable, compact solution.


In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received an Avalon Bay wine cooler to facilitate this review but no other compensation was made. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own.

Inexpensive Ways to Create a Fun Children’s Bedroom

Creating a stylish, yet fun bedroom for your kids doesn't have to be expensive - there are plenty of easy ways to decorate and spruce up their personal space. As it’s for the kids think bold, bright colors and try to pick a consistent theme that can be used throughout the room.

Consult your kids

One of the easiest ways to keep your kids happy with the end result is to involve them in the decorating process. From bedding designs, to wallpaper and funky storage units – there are a variety of styles to suit everyone.

Children’s tastes will change according to age and you can probably never be too sure of what will appeal, especially when it comes to teenagers. Pick up some home decorating magazines or go online to view children’s bedrooms by interior designers, and then use these ideas as a starting base.

Choosing the right color scheme

A wall color scheme is one of the most important starting points. Colors can be used to complement other features of the room such as duvet covers and furniture such as tables and cupboards. Choosing bright colors also has the advantage of opening up a smaller space, making it appear larger. If bedrooms are small then remember to stick up a large mirror or two in order bring in more light and to open up the room.

Brighten up blank wall spaces

An easy to implement, fun idea is to paint some items directly onto the walls using stencils. Get your kids to choose the images they like such as balloons, animals, aeroplanes or boats. Match up the design colors to ceiling or table lampshades and consider adding the same stenciled designs to cupboard doors. This is a great way to set a theme in place throughout the room; getting the colors and design right will make the room look unique and funky.

Avoid a cluttered look

Keep it simple and avoiding cramming too much furniture into your children’s bedrooms. Kids amass a huge amount of toys, books and clothes, and storage options are the best way to keep a room tidy.

Also take care to choose the right size of bed - they now come in a variety of shapes and sizes including the always fun bunk beds, so take your time and consider the amount of space available and requirements that you have.

These easy to implement ideas aren’t expensive and are a great way to get your kids involved in redecorating their rooms. A bright and fun bedroom will be someplace they will look forward to spending some time in rather than dread!

Sources – houseandgarden.co.uk, Elledecor.com

L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation Review #VLBlurfection

I've never been a big foundation wearer because it always seemed so… fake. Now that I'm getting older, I am a bit more understanding about the desire to, uh, blur the lines. L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation does just that, creating a luminous, dewy finish that is less pancake and more sheer radiance. 

That might sound silly but it's true. The coverage is more opaque than I ordinarily choose but is also very lightweight. I am totally aware that these are contradictory statements but somehow it works. Proof:

Not bad, right? L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur is super quick and easy to apply, even if you've overslept and haven't showered. Ahem. I'm totally dying to try L'Oréal's Visible Lift Blur concealer, too.

For more information: 
L'Oréal Paris on Twitter: @LOrealParisUSA 
L'Oréal Paris on Instagram: instagram.com/lorealparisusa
L'Oréal Paris on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LOrealParisUSA
Website: http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/products/makeup/face/foundation/visible-lift-blur-foundation.aspx

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that this is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/L’Oréal and I received a sample to facilitate this review. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own. 

Meatless Monday - Tofu "Egg" Salad

When I was in college in Austin, most of my friends were vegetarians. As one of the few among us who actually liked to cook, I made a ton of meatless meals. I've never gone over to the other side, being awfully fond of a good Southern pulled pork BBQ sandwich or a slice of pepperoni pizza, but I still don't think every meal needs to be centered upon some kind of animal protein. 

This eggless tofu "egg" salad was one of my personal favorites back in the day and I'm thinking about bringing it back for school lunches. Have you tried it? It's so good. Well, if you like egg salad. If you're anti-egg salad or mayonnaise, I would steer clear. Otherwise, you should totally give it a go. Makes great sandwiches or a nice protein source on top of a bed of greens. Especially spicy arugula!

Eggless Tofu Salad

Created by House Foods America

INGREDIENTS:

1 (12 oz.) pkg House Foods Tofu Premium or Organic Extra Firm or Super Firm, drained and pressed
2 whole celery stalks, minced
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp relish (dill)
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
2 Tbsp vegan mayonnaise
Pinch of turmeric
Dash black pepper
Dash salt
Pinch of dill (optional for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

Mash tofu with fork or crumble into a large mixing bowl.  Combine celery, Dijon mustard, relish, garlic powder, onion powder and vegan mayonnaise with tofu.  Add remaining spices and mix well.  Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy

Serves 4

Cable and Gauge: Effortless Style

During my tenure as a stay at home mom, I might have became a bit of a slave to comfort. That means yoga pants. Transitioning back to an office setting kind of threw me for a loop. Yeah, I want to look professional but I also don't have any desire to iron anything, ever, and I really enjoy being able to just throw something on and scoot out the door. Without looking like I nabbed something off the laundry pile.

Cable and Gauge makes easy to wear clothing that looks as good as it feels. Their knitwear features classic silhouettes with smart, figure-flattering detailing that can be dressed up or down– all while feeling as comfy as your favorite loungewear. Seriously.

I received two pieces to review, a knee-length floral faux wrap dress and a twist-top maxi-dress:

Roo immediately tried both on and decided they fit perfectly. Look how elegant she is!

Being a short girl, I usually wear shorter dresses, so I knew I would like the wrap dress, especially in the plum floral tones. But I didn't expect for it to be so soft and feel as comfortable as wearing a t-shirt. The fit is very flattering for curvy girls, with wide straps that actually cover your bra straps. The only thing that would make this dress more of a go-to for me would be if it included pockets!

I was concerned about trying a maxi-dress, since I am only 5'2" and usually think that long skirts make me look like a jawa. Surprisingly, this one just skims the ground when I wear high wedges and I've worn it to work a couple of times already. Ladies, did you know that maxi dresses are an on-trend way to hide your unshaven legs? True! I love the zany print, too. Bob thinks I need a couple of peacocks on leashes to accesorize with. What do you think?

I've gotten a ton of compliments on both dresses and, better yet, actually enjoy wearing them. I am not rushing to change out of them and into yoga pants as soon as I get home from work, which is pretty impressive. Cable and Gauge has exceptionally reasonable prices and, right now, many items are on hefty reduction. Stock up on tops and dresses that will become your mainstays!



In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received samples to facilitate this review, which includes affiliate links that I could potentially earn some money from. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own. 

National Backpack Program from Office Depot Foundation

Roo and Jasper start school on Wednesday, so the past week or so has been abuzz with getting all their gear together and making sure we have everything they need ready. With all the hubbub of the back to school season, it's easy to forget that a lot of kids will be starting the year empty-handed.
The Office Depot Foundation wanted to make sure that kids have the basics they need to feel confident in the classroom, so they established The National Backpack Program in 2001. In the 14 years since it began, the NBP has distributed more than 3.3 million backpacks and sackpacks to kids in need.

The specially designed sackpacks include a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler and crayons. I think it's really great that the sackpacks do not have any Office Depot Foundation or Office Depot logos or markings – just kid-friendly graphics. 

For more information, like the Office Depot Foundation on Facebook or follow @OfficeDepotFndn on Twitter.

#CheatClean with Quest Nutrition Protein Chips

Snacking is the great diet killer. Unless you have unusually strong willpower, you have probably given in to the urge to nibble on something crunchy and salty or chewy and sweet. Quest Nutrition is all about giving you better options for snacking, so you can satisfy those pesky urges without ruining all your hard work. 

Their latest creation, Quest Protein Chips, is the world’s first high-protein snack chip. Available in three flavors, Sea Salt, Barbeque, and Sour Cream & Cheddar, they pack a whopping 21g of protein into a single serving 120 calorie bag. They don't taste exactly like junky junk food, probably because they are baked instead of fried, but they are satisfyingly crunchy and flavorful. Plus they get bonus points since, like all of Quest's products, they are made from high quality natural ingredients without sketchy chemical additives. Did I mention that they are low carb and gluten free? Take that, evil cravings!

Quest Protein Chips are available online at QuestNutrition.com and select retailers nationwide.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received product samples to facilitate this post but no compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own. 

VitaFrute Summer Cocktails by Veev

There is nothing better than a fruity cocktail in the summertime. Add a pool and good friends and life is pretty close to perfect. What could make it better? Avoiding bartender duties with ready-to-drink cocktails. Better still? Make those ready-to-drink cocktails with premium organic, all-natural ingredients. 
Sound too good to be true? Then you haven't tried VitaFrute Cocktails by Veev! Available in four all-natural flavors (Coconut Colada, Margarita, Lemonade and Cosmopolitan), VitaFrute Cocktails have just 125 calories per serving. Plus they are a total no-brainer: just shake, pour over ice and enjoy! We are particularly fond of the Veev Margarita:

Veev is more than just another pretty bottle in your liquor cabinet. You can use it in anything you might use vodka for, but Veev is actually the world's first carbon neutral spirit! This superfruit spirit is made from Açaí, a tropical berry with amazing health benefits. Honoring its heritage, VEEV donates 1% of all sales to rainforest preservation. (So you can feel good about giving back, even as the bottles pile up in your recycling bin. Ahem!)
As if you needed any incentive, here's a downloadable coupon for $5 off a bottle of your favorite VitaFrute Cocktail by Veev:

Follow Veev on Facebook for a chance to win The Ultimate Summer Party:

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a Veev sample to facilitate this post, which includes affiliate links that I could potentially earn some money from. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own.