We purchase a Restaurant.com certificate and headed out for a casual Friday night date night. The Loop Grill was perfect. They have a variety of foods and it was fresh and tasty. They even have a Gluten Free Menu. I was thrilled. Check out their Pizzas! :)
Boulder Mountain man had a Salmon Burger and Fries. He love it and would order it again.
They even have a nice Broccoli option in lieu of French Fries.
I was crazy for my Cranberry, Walnut and Goat Cheese Salad. It was crisp and cold and awesome! As usual, I got my dressing the side. It was a light Scallion Vinaigrette. Perfect with this salad blend.
I couldn't decide on the Goat Cheese or the Blue Cheese so they served me both. ;) The Goat Cheese was perfect with it.
The restaurant was clean and bright and colorful so it is a fun place to hang out. The Loop would
be perfect for the whole Family. In fact, we've been before and our boys love it! We loved our Restaurant.com certificate because we got basically half price for the two of us so that was a Win!
Where do you like to go for your Date Night or Family Night? Any Night? Have you tried the Savings on Restaurant.com? :)
Warmly,
Carolina Mama
FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Restaurant.com and is part of the Restaurant.com Blogger program.
Even though we all know eBay is an international power-house for Buyers and Sellers. The most remarkable thing about eBay is that eBay is a Community! More than Community, eBay Cares!
My love affair with eBay started when I became a Mom of Twins! Some of my favorite eBay memories where ordering items from eBay that we could not readily purchase in our town. Or, the Mother's Day when my husband surprised me with jewelry he purchased on eBay. Whether I was home nursing our Twin sons or living in a small town that didn't even have a Target, eBay makes anything possible! Together, we learned with eBay dreams come true!
eBay has given me this privilege to serve on the eBay Parent Panel and share with others how to live the American dream. Or, buy Birthday supplies you can't find anywhere else!
eBay also has a big heart. When we visited the eBay headquarters in San Francisco, it was remarkable to see the heart of America right up close. eBay has heart, eBay gives back with Giving Works, with the Green Campus, and eBay Thanks You Campaign was launched to encourage and inspire the eBay Community.
eBay brings you community and your eBay store right to your home! So in essence I can say, eBay changed my life! eBay gives me a way to serve my community and give back. I have been honored to help many a friend Buy and Sell on eBay!
The Thank You Campaign helps you serve and give back to your Community, too!
And of course, none of this excitement would be possible without all of you, our valued eBay community—your lives and families, your stories and involvement, your buying and selling, your great hearts and generosity.
As we head into the holidays, we at eBay want to reach out and thank you personally for everything you do. From October 16 through November 6, we’re hosting the first annual “eBay Thanks You” campaign, exclusively in your honor.
You know I am loving working with and dining out with Restaurant.com as one of their Bloggers. We have used their site lots prior to this. With Fall here and getting in full swing, we are talking about Fall Foods and how our taste buds change with the weather.
I fall right in the category of those who change their dining choices with the weather. :) Let's face it, that's part of the fun with new seasons. Now that it is cooler weather, I am soooo in the mood for Los Tres Magueyes and their Cheese Enchiladas! They are perfection and it's the first thing I order when Summer is over. So, look out for us soon. :)
Though in the Summer, I like the Taco Salads. With Fall here, I love Hearty Soups and Stews. They are a meal and the warm my heart and soul during Fall and Winter. So far, this year, I am going with the Soup and Salad options.
For me, Soup and Salad is perfect, I can enjoy a warm, comfort food and a healthy salad as well. The combination is perfect. It is nice now that so many restaurants always have Soup and Salad and often the Combination.
Also, I love pushing myself to try new things. And with Restaurant.com, it is the perfect time to get creative and curious and check out something new on the menu. After all, I am saving lots with Restaurant.com so it is a good time to wonder off of my typical menu choices.
For more information on Restaurant.com or to download the mobile apps, visit www.restaurant.com.
What are your favorite foods in the Fall? Do you change up your order, too?
Warmly,
Carolina Mama
*FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Restaurant.com. I am an Official Blogger for RDC and these opinions are all my own.
The countdown is on Holiday Season is upon us and with it comes a brand New Year! I love a New Year! A fresh start, new beginnings and a whole New Year of adventure and accomplishments.
I strongly rely on my Datebook! This year I have fallen for an incredible, classy Desk Datebook by Graphic Image! It is lovely in every way and it has me looking forward to the New Year! My video tells you all of my favorite perks in the Desk Datebook by Graphic Image.
It left me smitten by the Kelly Green that is so 2013! Of course, this will be perfect with all my Carolina Mama pinks. Here you go.
The package was so beautiful and could be sent, as is, for gifting that someone special. I love the personal touch and the Monogramming option is classic. Graphic Image surprised me with my Carolina Mama logo!
The Gold Monogram and Lettering with gilt edges is very Professional. Here are the features:
This popular diary is ideal for home or office.
Our week-at-a-view desk diary has a vertical format designed with such economy that our trim size offers more writing space than most larger, more cumbersome diaries. This is a pure appointment book designed to organize your day, week, month and year.
Size: 7" x 9-1/4", 240 pages
Brights genuine goatskin leather agenda
Month and week-at-a-view pages
Smyth sewn for strength and longevity
Cream-white, acid-free paper with gilt edges
All Brights leather dates are pre-stamped gold
Personalization is available
Makes a great corporate gift.
Here are some pages with the Maps. So handy.
This is a look at the month-at-a-glance pages. LOVE these. I pretty much
live by month-at-a-glance. I have to see it to believe it. Seriously, it helps me
make sure we are not over committing. I just need some blocks of white space.
Down time = a good thing.
Here is a closer look at mine personalized Datebook! LOVE it!
I'm all ready to commit to 2013.
DISCOUNT COUPON CODE: Now for YOU - a Graphic Image Discount Code of 20%!! Just add MAMA as your Discount Code and you receive 20% OFF of your ENTIRE ORDER! Enjoy the Holiday Savings! And Cheers to the New Year!
Are you looking for a Desk Datebook? What is your favorite feature?
Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh is amazing! There are fun things to do for all ages, from infants to toddler to our Tigers just breaking into middle school.
Marbles Kids Museum proudly announces a series of special events to celebrate Halloween – MarblesKooky Spooky Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and, in light of the teacher workday for traditional calendar Wake County schools, an Oct. 31 all-day airing of “Flight of the Butterflies,”Marbles’ latest documentary, which debuts Friday, Oct. 19. Moreover, come dressed as a butterfly and see the film for free,* valid from the debut through Oct. 31.
“Flight of the Butterflies” – shown at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles – is a 3D documentary depicting a true marvel of nature. The compelling story follows the monarchs' 2,500-mile journey, revealing the millions of butterflies’ astonishing voyage and mysteries. Standard ticket prices for documentaries are $9 for adults and $7 for children.
Marbles will host a special night of magical mischief, silly surprises and tasty treats for kids and families at MarblesKooky Spooky Halloween Party. Guests are invited to come dressed in costume to join in on the night’s spooky activities, including wrapping mom or dad like a mummy, a Monster Mash dance party, mad scientist glow in the dark lab experiments and much more.
“We are thrilled to launch so many exciting activities here at Marbles for the fall, especially the premiere of the fascinating film, ‘Flight of the Butterflies’,” said Sally Edwards, president of Marbles. “Also, Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party is a great opportunity for kids to unleash their fun, creative sides in the spirit of Halloween.”
Pre-purchase tickets for Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party are available at the museum welcome desk or online for $8 for members and $10 for non-members. Tickets may also be purchased on-site the day of the event for $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
Our recent visit to Marbles Museum, as a family, was so memorable! And fun! Thank you Marbles for hosting us!
First, the Around Town Gallery is a incredible interactive area for toddlers to learn about many different factors of everday society. Highlights for our toddler visitors from out of town were the fire truck, the EMT station, the dinosaurs and the train exhibits. He probably could have stayed there the entire time!
One thing Boulder Mountain Man was extremely excited about was the Treeville display. This area consisted of doll houses that were set up with solar panels and rain barrels and urban gardens.
Splash is also a great one for mid-toddler age. It has a pirate ship and an interactive submarine where your young one can learn about life at sea. This is a fun way to let the children work off some of their excited energy.
The two our Tigers really enjoy are the Idea Works and Power2Play. Idea works is an awesome way to get your child to create things. There are wood blocks that they can create with tools, and massive building blocks that you can literally build your own room! The Work Bench is a fully stocked work bench where you use safety goggles and use real saws, hand drills, and more to build your creation!
Power2Play is the favorite of the Tigers. There is a great place for the older toddlers on up can blow off a lot of energy. There is soccer, gymnastics, surfing, basketball hoops, and the absolute favorite, Hockey! Even Daddy got to play Goalie in the "ice rink" with the Tigers!
A great way to wind up your day and wind down is to go see the IMAX movies next door with the ALL NEW 3D "Flight of the Butterflies!"
We ended up running out of time, and are really looking forward to going back to the IMAX Theatre and learning about the 3,000 miles migration of half a billion butterflies in the latest 3D IMAX movie Flight of the Butterflies 3D. The educational 3D movies are our favorite when it comes to IMAX movies. How's this for fun: Until October 31st you can see the Butterlies movie for free if you dress like a butterfly!
We highly recommend the Marbles Museum for parents with younger children. It was great to get back to the basics of:
"The best way for children to learn is to play."
If you are ever in the Raleigh area, Marbles Museum is a wonderful way to spend the day with the family!
If you have been to Marbles, what is your favorite thing to do? And, are you attending the "Kooky Spooky Halloween Party?" What about "Flight of the Butterflies!" Maybe we will see you there!
For more information, please visit www.marbleskidsmuseum.org or www.imaxraleigh.org for movie show times. The documentary is slated to run well into 2013. Warmly, Carolina Mama
*Note: the free film admission is not valid for advance purchase and may not be combined with any other offer including group tickets.
*FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Marbles Museum in Raleigh. Our opinions and love of Marbles is all our own.
New Orleans' "Boo at the Zoo" at the Audubon Zoo is one big fun tradition!
Thanks to Carnival, "Boo at the Zoo" this year just got more fun.
Look at all of the fun Pumpkins filling out the Pumpkin Fun Ship!
Carnival Cruise is sponsoring Boo at the Zoo at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans this year, and one of the main attractions is a massive 70-foot-long “Fun Ship”-shaped display comprised of more than 500 carved jack-o-lanterns. Look how convivial this looks!
Among the jack-o-lanterns are some Fun Ship 2.0 themed carvings. Here are a couple of the awesome stencils for your own Jack-o-Lanterns! Have fun.
Rayovac has us spoiled. Seriously, I love working with them because they have the
coolest products in the lighting world. Hands down. And we get to test them first!
Look at these awesome Rayovac Glow Sticks for Halloween. I fell in love. Here they are for fun. These are the best because they are more like a portable flashlight... you can turn them on and off and onto the 5 different LED Light Modes! Win!
Now, check them out in Glow mode at night. They are very powerful and fun!
Our boys are LOVING them. See the smiles. Look out Trick-or-Treaters, we've got Rayovac Glow Sticks!
You have to know that they have (5) settings on the glow stick! I LOVE that
myself. They boys are trying them all out and it even has a Flashlight mode.
Flashing light, etc. And I checked out the Rayovac price at it is only $3.99
which is $2 below the industry. That's awesome and they are battery operated so
they will be long lasting.
Of course, Boys love all things that light up. So look who cannot wait to Trick-o-Treat!
Pretty much, the Glow Sticks one up the Candy around here! :) Look at the smiles.
Another great use for Glow Sticks: Did I tell you the Tigers are so awesome with animals.
Remember the Fish Diaries!
Well, I am thinking these Glow Lights will be fabulous for "Walking the Dogs." :)
I cannot wait for Halloween and the the next night time Dog Walk
because they will light up the night with these.
These will be awesome year round. In fact, do not let the Tigers know, but Carolina Mama
wants to get herself one of these 3 LED Mode Glow Sticks!
Here are the incredible features and benefits:
6 lumen LED
5 light modes: flashlight, flashlight and wand, flashlight and flashing wand, glowing wand, flashing wand
Features two buttons for added versatility
Includes a clip for a belt or pocket
Safety mode: can stay on until turned off
Light comes in multiple colors - red, blue, green, and orange (color is chosen randomly at shipment)
Lifetime warranty
Runs on 3 LR44 alkaline batteries (included)
Keep a sharp eye out for Halloween fun and tell me how will you use your Glow Sticks
*FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Rayovac as part of my Rayovac Power Blogger Program. All opinions and love of Rayovac Glow Sticks are all our own.
As a Restaurant.com Blogger, I get to bring you the latest and the greatest information as soon as possible. I love it! Also, I get to give you an honest-to-goodness Mom Review on most of the brands and products I work with on any given day. Restaurant.com enables local restaurants and small businesses to give diners the best deal on every meal.
Cheesecake Factory Thai Lettuce Wraps Photo by CarolinaMama
Now, you can get those deals and reviews from their customers. That's a win! It is so exciting that Restaurant.com has now added one million verified diner reviews to their site. Now, you can not only hear honest feedback from the Official Bloggers like me, you will be able to read many of the million reviews from various diners. Perfection.
If you are like me, I live by Reviews. Whether I ask one of my Mom friends what the best Fabric Softener is or the Best After School Healthy Snack, I LOVE a good opinion. And honestly, that's why I love helping other Moms.
I love to get the scoop and give it to you here! For example, when we go to a new restaurant, I love to read a few reviews. I like to find out the best dish, the best time to go, are they consistently serving up great meals? Usually, the reviews are an awesome help with this.
Here's how the Million Reviews Work:
Restaurant.com, the nation's largest restaurant deal site with more than 45,000 deals available everyday just made it easier for diners and deal seekers to find a five-star meal for less with the addition of more than one million Restaurant.com Verified Diner Reviews.
These new reviews have been put into a new search functionality, which allows consumers to more easily search the Restaurant.comdeal database by location or by star rating.
Consumers can rely on the authenticity of these reviews because they are posted by verified diners.
How is a verified diner selected?
Following a validation of a Restaurant.com certificate, the diner that purchased the deal is prompted to award the restaurant a star rating and post their feedback.
Only individuals that purchased and redeemed a Restaurant.comcertificate at that restaurant are invited to submit reviews.
This verification process ensures the reviews are not written by competitors, proprietors, or others with a biased agenda.
Restaurant.com reviews are centered on the restaurantexperience.
The stars are awarded by diners, not anonymous Web users, makingRestaurant.com the place to go for honest feedback on where to eat. To ensure this, Verified Diner Reviews must meet the following standards:
The diner is required to purchase a Restaurant.com certificate and the restaurant must validate the certificate prior to the diner receiving an invitation to review the restaurant.
The diner must complete the email review and short survey, including the assignment of a 1-5 star rating.
Restaurant.com reviews are centered on the dining experience. For example, if the review is about the great deal or a bad date rather than the restaurant itself, it may not be posted. If it is about the food, the ambiance, the service, it is posted for everyone to see.
You can see how these will be extremely helpful to diners. Restaurant.com has verified that the Reviewers are official. Check out the official PR News Release here.
Now, go enjoy an awesome Restaurant of your choice!
Warmly,
Carolina Mama
* FTC Disclosure: I am a Restaurant.com Official Blogger. Opinions are all my own.
It's October Fire Safety Month and we still celebrate it! Every year.
This is quite possibly our 11th year! And I can hardly believe the Tigers are in Middle School. All these years of sitting on the Fire Truck, in the Fire Truck, etc. It made me so delighted that they wanted to check it out...one more time.
And my how time flies. I want to savor every detail. Their sweet smiles, their tall structures, big feet! and even their black back packs. I did say Middle School. lol They are both carrying bags from one of Mom's blogging meetings. ;) Shout out to "the brands" because we do use your bags ;)
And my heart skips a beat every time they play so well and create and live and dream and laugh together! #ThisIslife #1000Gifts #Win
Do your kids still celebrate Fire Safety by visiting the fire trucks driver's seat?
Disney Themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® for Healthy Kids Meals
The Tigers were so surprised when the BIG Box arrived on our front porch right at lunchtime.
Perfect timing. I was so happy when Ready Pac asked me to be one of the first
to Taste-test these healthy lunch options for Middle School children.
We are so thrilled and thankful that Disney made a commitment to Healthy Food choices earlier this year! And that Ready Pac is partnered together to get these awesome choices in the hands of
school age children. Our boys LOVE these meals.
"Back-to-school lunches and snacks just got a whole lot more fun and nutritious!
Ready Pac Foods launched a new line of Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® salads and mini-meals. The eight-item line is geared specifically for elementary and middle school-aged children, and started shipping nationwide earlier this month.
The Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® line includes vegetables and/or fruit in every pack, along with other tasty, nutritious items and an element of fun. Each variety is a nutritious version of some of kids’ favorite foods, like pizza and tacos.
Four mini-meals include at least one kid-sized serving of fruit or vegetables and tasty snack combinations including veggies, chicken and pretzels; turkey, crackers and cheese; pizza bites and apples, ham and yogurt, along with a free Disney-themed sticker in each tray.
All items meet Disney’s strict nutritional guidelines while appealing to kids through Disney characters and kid-friendly foods, such as alphabet pretzels and fun cheese shapes. The Walt Disney Company recently renewed its commitment to children’s health and wellness on June 5, 2012 with new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. Disney’s Nutrition Guidelines are intended to give parents and kids more nutritious eating options. The guidelines are derived from U.S. government-recommended dietary guidelines with the input of top child health experts.
Four salad items include: Pizzeria salad, Taco salad, Harvest salad and Caesar salad featuring kid-friendly iceberg and romaine lettuces. Proteins such as chicken, turkey, pepperoni and cheese are also included, along with grains and dressing."
The Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® salads and mini-meals are available now in retail locations nationwide."
Our Tigers agreed that this Blueberry Parfait was more like a Dessert than anything!
As a Mom, I LOVE having my children agree on who gets which Salads. They LOVEd the "walking Taco Salad" which is the Taco Salad with Mater shown above and it is chock full of vegetables. :)
These lunches are fabulous choices for busy Homeschool Moms and Children. I LOVE having these quick and healthy lunches ready to go!
Warmly, Carolina Mama *This post is Sponsored by Disney Themed Ready Pac Mini Meals and Salads. Opinions are all our own.
Fall and Fashion go hand-in-hand at Emilie M Handbags. I love their look and style. Any Mom can be in fashion fineness with these beautiful and functional bags. And they are substantial, like they hold all the necessities stylishly!
It started with one simple idea... Every woman
should be
able to accessorize luxuriously on any budget.
Emilie M Handbags and Luggage
My go-to-bag this Fall has quickly become this Emilie M Handbag. I love a functional and well made handbag! Check out my Leslie in Black Patent! Doesn't she look lovely!
Here are the details of my Leslie Black Patent Emilie M Bag:
Living life to the fullest may mean leaving for work early to pick up dry cleaning, hitting the gym at lunch, and cheating with an audio book to finish the final few chapters on the way to the book club meeting. Keep it all together with the fashionable and functional Leslie Tote in sleek patent leather! A foldover front pocket with turn-lock detail can hold a few cosmetics for the inevitable post-gym damage control, while a larger back pocket keeps the still pristine paperback safe (just remember to crack the spine and dog-ear a few pages for appearances!) Two cell phone pockets let calls to work and home numbers go handily to voicemail, while the interior zipper compartment hides the decadent hunk of fudge that’s the reward for that 40 minute workout on the treadmill. The Leslie Tote organizes lives so women can live theirs
So true! I love that is is very versatile. My MacBook even fits in the bag! I love
running out the door with my MacBook in tow and know that I am looking great.
Some days, I do not want to carry a Computer Bag and a Purse.
Also, my makeup bag, wallet, iPad and other necessities easily fit into the bag for an everyday look.
Here is my own video describing my favorite things on the Leslie Bag. LOVE. Check
out the spacious interior in the video.
Emilie M Handbags Bags and Luggage. Emilie M is an online brand of handbags and accessories that allows women to accessorize luxuriously on any budget. www.emiliemshop.com
What do you have to have in your handbag?
Warmly, Carolina Mama *FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Emilie M Bags. All opinions are my own.
We are so thrilled and thankful that Disney made a commitment to Healthy Food choices earlier this year! And that Ready Pac is partnered together to get these awesome choices in the hands of
school age children. Our boys LOVE these meals.
"Back-to-school lunches and snacks just got a whole lot more fun and nutritious!
Ready Pac Foods launched a new line of Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® salads and mini-meals. The eight-item line is geared specifically for elementary and middle school-aged children, and started shipping nationwide earlier this month.
The Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® line includes vegetables and/or fruit in every pack, along with other tasty, nutritious items and an element of fun. Each variety is a nutritious version of some of kids’ favorite foods, like pizza and tacos.
Four mini-meals include at least one kid-sized serving of fruit or vegetables and tasty snack combinations including veggies, chicken and pretzels; turkey, crackers and cheese; pizza bites and apples, ham and yogurt, along with a free Disney-themed sticker in each tray.
All items meet Disney’s strict nutritional guidelines while appealing to kids through Disney characters and kid-friendly foods, such as alphabet pretzels and fun cheese shapes. The Walt Disney Company recently renewed its commitment to children’s health and wellness on June 5, 2012 with new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. Disney’s Nutrition Guidelines are intended to give parents and kids more nutritious eating options. The guidelines are derived from U.S. government-recommended dietary guidelines with the input of top child health experts.
Four salad items include: Pizzeria salad, Taco salad, Harvest salad and Caesar salad featuring kid-friendly iceberg and romaine lettuces. Proteins such as chicken, turkey, pepperoni and cheese are also included, along with grains and dressing."
The Disney-themed Ready Pac® Cool Cuts® salads and mini-meals are available now in retail locations nationwide."
Our Tigers agreed that this Blueberry Parfait was more like a Dessert than anything!
As a Mom, I LOVE having my children agree on who gets which Salads. They LOVEd the "walking Taco Salad" which is the Taco Salad with Mater shown above and it is chock full of vegetables. :)
These lunches are fabulous choices for busy Homeschool Moms and Children. I LOVE having these quick and healthy lunches ready to go!
Warmly, Carolina Mama *This post is Sponsored by Disney Themed Ready Pac Mini Meals and Salads. Opinions are all our own.
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