My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking - Review and Giveaway (ENDED)

I have done regular scrapbooking before, but never digital scrapbooking, so I was excited to try out My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software.

This is one of those products that as soon as I use I think "why have I gone so many years without knowing this existed?"  I love it!  It is easy to use, and it makes everything so cute!

Remember the family board books I made for Lily a while back?  I used Microsoft Publisher to design my own templates and book which took hours.  I am tempted to go back and do more board books using this software instead.  It only takes minutes to make a page, and they turn out spectacular!

I HIGHLY recommend getting this software.  I plan on using it a lot in the future.

My Memories is offering a very special deal for my readers!  When you buy your own My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking software, use the code STMMMS88974 when you check out and you will receive $10 off of the software AND a $10 credit toward additional scrapbooking kits!  Using this code brings the price to under $30!

Do you want to try to win your own?  1 lucky reader will receive the full version of the My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking software!

TO BE ELIGIBLE: You must be a public follower of this blog. (To follow me, just click "Join this site with Google Friend Connect" on the left column of my blog.)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment letting me know what you would use your My Memories Suite for.

EXTRA ENTRIES: You can get 1 extra entry for each of the following:

-Follow Utah County Mom on facebook

-Follow Utah County Mom on twitter

-Follow Utah County Mom on Pinterest

-Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook with a link to this post (1 entry each)

-Subscribe to Utah County Mom via email (enter your address on the left sidebar)

Leave a separate comment for each entry for this giveaway.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM (Mountain Daylight Time) on November 14, 2011.

Fine print: Although I received a free product for reviewing this product, the opinions on this post are 100% mine. The giveaway is for US entries only

CONGRATS TO SYLVIA WHO WON THIS GIVEAWAY

Things to do in Utah County with kids this week: October 31 - November 5

Looking for things to do in Utah County, Utah this week? Take a look at all of the fun (and sometimes free) things to do in Utah County!

Monday, October 31, 2011 (Halloween)

Halloween Hoot at Tracy Aviary

Trick of Treating at Maceys in Provo 10:00 AM

Spooky Songs with Mountain View Choir 1:00 PM

Halloween Kids Fest at Provo Towne Centre 2:00 PM

Kiwanis Halloween Carnival 4:00 PM

Provo Towne Centre Trick or Treating 5:00 PM

University Mall Trick or Treating 5:00 PM

Free Movie in the Park - Creature from the Black Lagoon 6:00 PM

Free Film at the Orem Library - The Birds 6:30 PM

Trick or Treat at Provo Library 6:30 PM

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tattoo Tuesdays at Marleys

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Winter Free Admission at Tracy Aviary

Free Opera Screening at Orem Library 9:30 AM

Discovery Reading at the Bean Museum 11:00 AM

Grease starts at Canyon View Jr. High 7:00 PM

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Storyteller Donald Davis at Orem Library 7:00 PM

Friday, November 4, 2011

Stories from Around the World at BYU 11:00 AM

Education in Zion Music Frdays at BYU 12:00 PM

Kids in the Kitchen at Provo Maceys - Turkey Pot Pie 4:30 PM

Night at the Gazibo - Free Concerts at Riverwoods in Provo 6:00 PM

Love in Search of a Word at Orem Library 7:00 PM

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Farmer's Market in Spanish Fork 8:00 AM

Distance for Diversity Kids Fun Run in Draper 8:30 AM

Lowe's FREE Build and Grow Kids clinic 10:00 AM

Saturday Safari at Bean Museum 10:00 AM

Family Day at UVU Woodbury Art Museum 11:00 AM

Evening of Percussion Family Performances at BYU 11:00 AM

Night at the Gazibo - Free Concerts at Riverwoods in Provo 6:00 PM

For a complete list of all events for all dates, please see our calendar of events in Utah County.

Blender Bottle: Review and Giveaway (ENDED)

I was excited to receive a Blender Bottle and sling to review. My husband tends to be super healthy, and often drinks protein drinks after going to the gym. He was quick to claim both the bottle and sling as his as soon as it came. He really does use this almost every day for his protein shakes. The wire ball makes it easy to mix, and the whole thing is easy to clean too!

He likes the sling because it will keep his beverages hot or cold for longer. It also makes it easy to carry around.

We were also excited to get the Blender Bottle recipe book! I can't wait to use this for salad dressing, pudding, and pouring pancake batter!

My husband liked this so much he went to our local health food store and purchased a few more. Now that he has one in almost every color, maybe I will get a turn to use it!

So...do you want a Blender Bottle, sling, and recipe book of you own? Blender Bottle has generously offered to send 1 lucky reader a Blender Bottle and sling in the colors of their choice, and a recipe book of their own!

TO BE ELIGIBLE: You must be a public follower of this blog. (To follow me, just click "Join this site with Google Friend Connect" on the left column of my blog.)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment letting me know which color of Blender Bottle and Sling you would choose!

EXTRA ENTRIES: You can get 1 extra entry for each of the following:

-Follow Utah County Mom on facebook

-Follow Utah County Mom on twitter

-Follow Utah County Mom on Pinterest

-Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook with a link to this post (1 entry each)

-Subscribe to Utah County Mom via email (enter your address on the left sidebar)

Leave a separate comment for each entry for this giveaway.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM (Mountain Daylight Time) on November 11, 2011.

Fine print: Although I received a free product for reviewing this product, the opinions on this post are 100% mine. The giveaway is for US entries only.

CONGRATS TO LAUREN WHO WON THIS GIVEAWAY!

It's HALLOWEEN time!!!

Pin It

Yesterday was our first Halloween party of the season...and the day I finally got around to starting on Lily's Halloween Costume.  Luckily she was an angel ALL DAY LONG and I finished just in time to curl her hair, take some pictures, and head off to the party.

It took me forever to decide what to make for Lily this year, but I finally settled on Little Red Riding Hood, in large part because I had a bunch of leftover fabric from the bridesmaids dresses at my wedding I could use so this outfit only cost me $15.

I used the same bow I had made her for her costume last year as Snow White.

Look how tiny Lily was last year!  She couldn't even stand up on her own!



What is your family going to be this Halloween?

Pin It
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Creative Blog Blackberry Vine Tip Junkie Not Just a Housewife Hope Studios The Thrifty Home Savvy Southern Style Blue Cricket Design Tea Rose Home The Thrifty Home Women Who Do It All The Shabby Chic Cottage Beyond the Picket Fence Fireflies and Jellybeans House of Hepworths A Glimpse Inside The Brambleberry Cottage Thrifty 101 Elements-interiors Sweet Peas and Bumblebees Shabby Nest 30 Handmade Days Tatertots and Jello By Stephanie Lynn Cherished Treasures Be Colorful Between Naps on the Porch Craft-o-maniac GingerSnapCrafts The Idea Room Nothing but Country Will See It Wednesday

Jack-o-lantern Grilled Cheese

Looking for a fun Halloween food idea?  Make a quick and easy Halloween lunch!  Lily loved it.  Just cut your grilled cheese into the shape of a Jack-o-lantern.  Tastes good, and looks great too!

I found this cute idea HERE at Our Best Bites.

Snorg Tees: Review and Giveaway (ENDED)

I was super excited when Snorg Tees offered to send me a shirt to review.  My husband and I spent at least an hour looking at all of the funny shirts.  I laughed at almost every one - they were very creative.  We ended up picking the shirt above, although I really liked the ones below as well.

My husband was even more excited when it arrived and he realized the shirt is super comfortable, soft, and flattering.

Do you want to win a Snorg Tee shirt of your own?  The folks at Snorg Tees have generously offered to give 1 of my readers a shirt of their choice!  I wish I was eligible for this contest, because I can think of so many people that this would make a great Christmas present for!

TO BE ELIGIBLE: You must be a public follower of this blog. (To follow me, just click "Join this site with Google Friend Connect" on the left column of my blog.)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment letting me know which shirt from their site you would choose!

EXTRA ENTRIES: You can get 1 extra entry for each of the following:

-Follow Utah County Mom on facebook +++

-Follow Utah County Mom on twitter

-Follow Utah County Mom on Pinterest

-Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook with a link to this post (1 entry each)

-Subscribe to Utah County Mom via email (enter your address on the left sidebar)

Leave a separate comment for each entry for this giveaway.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM (Mountain Daylight Time) on November 8, 2011.

Fine print: Although I received a free product for reviewing this product, the opinions on this post are 100% mine. The giveaway is for US entries only.

CONGRATS TO cpage2323 WHO WON THIS GIVEAWAY!

Things to do in Utah County with kids this week: October 24-30

Looking for things to do in Utah County, Utah this week? Take a look at all of the fun (and sometimes free)Halloween things to do in Utah County!

Monday, October 24, 2011
"The Mormon Migration" Library exhibition at BYU
Family Night on the Farm at Thanksgiving Point 5:00 PM
Museum Mondays at Thanksgiving Point 5:00 PM
Family Night at Springville Community Pool 6:00 PM
Free Film at Orem Library: Poltergeist 6:30 PM
Dance is For Every Body: The Debenhams (Orem Library) 7:00 PM

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tattoo Tuesday at Marleys (real or temporary)
UVU Halloween Kids Night 6:00 PM

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Free Opera Screening at Orem Library 9:30 AM
Lehi Legacy Center coloring contest pictures due 7:00 PM

Thursday, October 27, 2011
BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium Farmers Market 3:00 PM
Halloween Spooktacular at BYU (Kids carnival) 5:00 PM
Haunted Halloween Lair (FREE) in Spanish Fork 7:00 PM
Lehi Pumpkin Carving Contest entries due 7:00 PM

Friday, October 28, 2011
Stories from Around the World at BYU 11:00 AM
Education in Zion Music Friday at BYU 12:00 PM
Kids in the Kitchen at Provo Maceys: Mini Caramel Apple Monsters 4:30 PM
Tricks and Treats Halloween Carnival in Provo 5:00 PM
Lehi Legacy Center Halloween Party 5:00 PM
Night at the Gazibo - Free Concerts at Riverwoods in Provo 6:00 PM
Springville Halloween Decorating Contest ends Dusk
The Great Pumpkin Fest in PG 6:30 PM
Haunted Halloween Lair (FREE) in Spanish Fork 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 29, 2011
Halloween Hoot at Tracy Aviary
Farmer's Market in Spanish Fork 8:00 AM
Provo Farmers Market 10:00 AM
Prescription Drugs Take-Back at Allens Market in Springville 10:00 AM
Provo Monster Mile 10:00 AM
Lowe's Free Build and Grow Kids Clinic 10:00 AM
Trick or Treat Village in Eagle Mountain 12:00 PM
Night at the Gazibo - Free Concerts at Riverwoods in Provo 6:00 PM
Haunted Halloween Lair (FREE) in Spanish Fork 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 30, 2011
Halloween Hoot at Tracy Aviary

Peacock Feather Headband

Pin It

My brother got married recently got married and their wedding had a peacock theme.  I made this headband for Lily to wear at the wedding.  It was super easy and only costed me a few dollars.

Supplies:

1 peacock feather

Black interfacing

Headband or fancy ribbon

Stick on jewels or bling

Bra strap hardware (clips and rings) found at any sewing store

Tacky Glue

First I took my feather and used Tacky Glue to glue it onto the black interfacing in the shape I wanted.  Then I let it dry and cut it out.  I cut off a lot of the feather ends, but shaped it so it was as big as it could be with no bare spots.

Once cut out, I made my headband using the fancy ribbon I bought at Joann's and the bra strap hardware (the clips and rings look like this) that I bought at the same place.  This way my headband was adjustable since the ribbon I got was not stretchy.

I used hot glue to glue the feather on the headband, and the bling onto the feather base.



I got a ton of compliments on Lily's headband every time she wore it.  It's super cute, easy to make, and didn't cost a lot!

Pin It

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Creative Blog Blackberry Vine Tip Junkie Not Just a Housewife Hope Studios Coastal Charm The Thrifty Home Savvy Southern Style Blue Cricket Design Tea Rose Home The Thrifty Home Women Who Do It All The Shabby Chic Cottage Beyond the Picket Fence Fireflies and Jellybeans House of Hepworths A Glimpse Inside The Brambleberry Cottage Thrifty 101 Elements-interiors Sweet Peas and Bumblebees Shabby Nest 30 Handmade Days Tatertots and Jello By Stephanie Lynn Cherished Treasures Be Colorful Between Naps on the Porch Craft-o-maniac GingerSnapCrafts The Idea Room

UVU Woodbury Art Museum in Orem

Have you heard about the UVU Woodbury Art Museum in the University Mall?  Maybe you have seen it above Nordstrom but haven't had a chance to stop by?  I was thrilled when the Woodbury Art Museum contacted me and invited me to come look at their new collection!

My husband and I went to the museum as a date night, but I may take Lily back because I think she'd enjoy looking at the pictures (and it's FREE!)  I liked that their new "Sensing Brazil" exhibit had a bunch of different types of art.  There were paintings, sculpture, dance, music, and a wall with facts and a globe.  This collection is borrowed from the Museum of Latin America Art, and only here until November 30.

 They had screens with headphones set up to watch the dances and listen to the music.

My favorite part was the new "Dichos" exhibit filled with pictures of things Latin America truck and bus drivers have painted on their vehicles.  Next to each picture was a translation of what it meant in English.  The "love" section of this exhibit was my favorite.  My husband and I were laughing at almost every single one - these people were very creative!

 As part of the "Dichos" exhibit, they let you draw on a real bumper with crayons.  Perfect hands-on activity for kids!  I didn't know what to write, so I just drew a design and colored it in.

 This painting (above) in the permanent collection was my favorite piece.  I could have looked at it all day.

The Woodbury Art Museum is partnering with the Orem Library and their Orem Reads Program, so by some of the pieces there is a family tree to go along with the Orem Reads theme.

They also had a hands-on activity for this program where you could fill out your own family tree.  I don't know who designed this paper, but it's the cutest family tree I've ever seen.  (I love the swirls.)

I was glad I finally made it to the Woodbury Museum of Art.  This is a great date night activity, and kids would love it too!  It's FREE which is awesome, educational, and fun.

The two new exhibits (Dichos & Sensing Brazil) will only be on display until November 30 so hurry over!

The UVU Woodbury Art Museum

Located inside University Mall

2nd Level between Nordstrom and Gap

801-863-4200

FREE Admission

http://www.uvu.edu/museum/

http://www.facebook.com/WoodburyArtMuseum

Hours:

Tuesday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

DIY Nursery wooden wall letters

Pin It

Wooden monogram letters for your nursery are super popular right now, but can be expensive too.  Customized letters with cute patterns to hang on your nursery wall or display in their room can cost up to $15 a letter!  It is very easy to do these yourself for just over $2 a letter.

At craft stores, you can buy pre-cut wood letters for about $2 a letter.  I got mine at Joanne's, and they were already pre-painted white which is what I wanted.  You can get an unfinished version as well and paint it yourself if you want the sides and back to be another color.

I picked out scrapbook paper to match the theme and colors of Lily's nursery.  I could do 2 letters on each sheet so I only needed 2 sheets for Lily's name.

I turned the letter over, and traced the shape on the wrong side of the scrapbook paper.  I cut out the shape, and used Mod Podge to secure it to my letters.  Never used Mod Podge?  Just use a sponge paint brush to brush the Mod Podge over the letter as a "glue".  Put the paper on top, making sure to line up the edges.  Paint another layer over the top of the paper to finish and seal.  That's it!  You're done!

In less than 1/2 an hour you can have your own personalized monogram wood letters for your child's room or nursery.

Most people hang these over their child's bed or crib, but I chose to display mine on Lily's bookshelf.

Pin It


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Creative Blog Blackberry Vine Tip Junkie Not Just a Housewife Hope Studios Coastal Charm The Thrifty Home Savvy Southern Style Blue Cricket Design Tea Rose Home The Thrifty Home Women Who Do It All The Shabby Chic Cottage Beyond the Picket Fence Fireflies and Jellybeans House of Hepworths A Glimpse Inside The Brambleberry Cottage Thrifty 101 Elements-interiors Sweet Peas and Bumblebees Shabby Nest 30 Handmade Days Tatertots and Jello By Stephanie Lynn Cherished Treasures Be Colorful Between Naps on the Porch Craft-o-maniac GingerSnapCrafts

Smashburger in Orem: Review and Giveaway (Ends Nov 1)

If you've never tried Smashburger on University Parkway in Orem, you should!  I took my family last week to try it out and was very impressed.

My husband and I both ordered a "Beehive burger" which is their most popular.  It was delicious.  I also got smashfries which we all loved.

 This place was kid-friendly which made it easy to bring Lily along.  They had high chairs, kids meals, and a family-friendly atmosphere.  Lily loved the fries and fry sauce.



My favorite thing about the meal was probably their smashfries.  They are toasted with rosemary, olive oil, and garlic.  Unlike any fries I've had but delicious and addicting.

I had a chance to talk to the manager and got some insider tips to share.  He recommends getting the Beehive Burger (Utah's regional burger) with sweet potato fries and a strawberry-banana milkshake.  Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the least busy nights if you are looking to avoid a crowd.  Also, they are running a promotion with the new Windy City Burger which is Chicago's regional burger.

Anyone from Salt Lake County?  You are in luck because there is a Smashburger in SLC, West Valley, and Draper too!

Smashburger in Orem

542 E. University Pkwy.

Orem, UT 84097

801-616-5071

http://www.smashburger.com/menu/UniversityFestival

Open 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily

So...now that your mouth is watering, do you want to try Smashburger?  Smashburger has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for 2 of my readers!  Each winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to Smashburger.  You must live in Utah to participate in this giveaway, since we are promoting the Utah stores.

TO BE ELIGIBLE: You must be a public follower of this blog. (To follow me, just click "Join this site with Google Friend Connect" on the left column of my blog.)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment letting me know what from their menu looks good!

EXTRA ENTRIES: You can get 1 extra entry for each of the following:

-Follow Utah County Mom on facebook

-Follow Smashburger on facebook

-Follow Utah County Mom on twitter

-Follow Utah County Mom on Pinterest

-Share this giveaway on your blog, twitter, or facebook with a link to this post (1 entry each)

-Subscribe to Utah County Mom via email (enter your address on the left sidebar)

Leave a separate comment for each entry for this giveaway.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM (Mountain Daylight Time) on November 1, 2011.

Fine print: Although I received a free product for reviewing this product, the opinions on this post are 100% mine. The giveaway is for Utah entries only.

Nightmare Before Christmas Party

Pin It

I love themed parties!  Every year we like to watch the Nightmare Before Christmas as a family.  Every party is more fun when it's themed, so this year I made invitations, cookies, and dressed up for the movie.

To make the cookies I just made sugar cookies, frosted in white, and piped on a smile and 2 eyes.  It was really easy.  I recommend just buying a tube of black frosting, since it's really hard for me to get a true black using food coloring.

The cookies were a huge hit.  I love this recipe because they are so soft, sweet, and moist.  Best homemade sugar cookie recipe I've found.

Elliot and I dressed up as Sally and Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas a few years back, so we already had costumes.  For Lily's costume as Zero, I dressed her all in white, added a white cape and bunny ears that I put on backward, and painted a pumpkin on her nose.

Ok...now time to make it easy for you to have a party of your own.  Below is the jpg file I created for the invitation.  Want to make your own?  Save the jpg file, and use a photo editing software (or even Microsoft Publisher or Word) to add words.  I used the font "MATTEROFFACT" for the "You're invited" part.  I used Microsoft Publisher (I really love that program) to do my invitation.  If you just want to use my template using Microsoft Publisher, you can download it for FREE here.

And for the cookies...

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter

1 ½ cups sugar

2 eggs

4 ½ cups flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1 t. salt

½ t. nutmeg (optional)

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Add dry ingredients alternately with sour cream until incorporated. Add vanilla. Chill. Roll to ¼’’ thick and cut. Put on ungreased cookie sheet (I actually greased it for my cookies). Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes until golden around the edges.  Cool and frost.

Pin It

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's Creative Blog Blackberry Vine Tip Junkie Not Just a Housewife Hope Studios Coastal Charm The Thrifty Home Savvy Southern Style Blue Cricket Design Tea Rose Home The Thrifty Home Women Who Do It All The Shabby Chic Cottage Beyond the Picket Fence Fireflies and Jellybeans House of Hepworths A Glimpse Inside The Brambleberry Cottage Thrifty 101 Elements-interiors Sweet Peas and Bumblebees Shabby Nest 30 Handmade Days Tatertots and Jello By Stephanie Lynn Cherished Treasures Be Colorful Between Naps on the Porch Craft-o-maniac GingerSnapCrafts Crafty Blog Stalker