Sweet Tomatoes' was kind enough to host our family for dinner this month to sample some of their Stars, Stripes and Picnic Delights recipes. This is one of my favorite places to take my family for dinner because everyone can pick what they want to eat without arguing. When we typically go out to eat there is always the argument about what the kids are going to order and what they are actually going to eat. When was the last time your tween decided they wanted an adult meal only to leave half of it behind because they didn't like it?? At Sweet Tomatoes' the kids plate their own food buffet style and I don't feel bad if they try something that they don't care for. They can go back for seconds if they are really hungry. I'm always impressed that my kids plate things that we don't typically prepare at home like beets, cauliflower, and assorted veggies. My daughter loves all of the Sweet Tomatoes salad recipes; especially the ones featuring fruit! She is so excited to try the new ... [ Read More ]
Newly Renovated Tampa Marriott Westshore Tour
We were invited to tour the newly renovated Tampa Marriott Westshore during their Open House last night and were impressed with the updates. During their Open House, we were invited to explore the hotel and all that it has to offer guests. If I were planning a conference, work event or party this would be a location that I would consider in the Tampa Bay area. For wedding receptions, bridal showers, baby showers, or any other type of casual event their pool area is absolutely beautiful. Their pool deck offers an indoor/outdoor seating and swimming area. For those sun worshipers who need their Vitamin D, the outdoor area is beautiful. For those who need a break from the sun or on those hot Tampa summer days, the veranda would be a fun place to relax. The great thing about their pool area is that both the indoor and outdoor areas are connected so your party guests would all be in the same general area. For families on vacation this would be a perfect place to relax with small ... [ Read More ]
Oh, Kale Yeah! Sprouts is now open in Tampa!! #NewKaleInTown
This post is written through a partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. It's finally here, the new Sprouts Farmers Market is finally open in Tampa!! My son and I got to visit the newest location in Carrollwood for their Friends & Family night and blog tour. We got a quick tour and overview of Sprouts with their staff and then had some time to shop on our own. I really didn't have much on my shopping list this week, but I still managed to find some essential items and bargains that I couldn't resist. If you're near Carrollwood I would recommend visiting them between now and Sunday; their Grand Opening specials are running all weekend long. I couldn't pass up the $1 strawberries, $1 pineapples, and 3/$1 avocados. Be sure to download their mobile app before you go so you can take advantage of the Sprouts mobile coupons, no more clipping necessary! As we walked in I was immediately in love with the adorable little succulents and the bright, vivid orchids. I do not have ... [ Read More ]
How to Have Fun at the Florida State Fair
The weather in Tampa this week has been amazing and spring isn't far away! Last weekend was the perfect weekend for our family to check out the Florida State Fair. The fair opened on Feb 9th and runs through Feb 20th with special events every day of the week. There's something about a state fair that brings out your inner youth. Growing up in Georgia the state fair was a pretty big deal. I haven't been to a big fair since before the kids were born and I'm not sure that anything will ever top the size of a fair as a child. Things always seem smaller as an adult, even when they are as big as the Florida State Fair. I lost count of the number of ferris wheels that they had at the fair, I think I saw 4 full size ferris wheels and we ended up on 3 of them! It's a great way to take in the massive size of the fair and help your kids overcome any fear of heights they may have. If you plan on riding rides, be sure to get an all-day armband for unlimited fair rides. It's ... [ Read More ]
Tips for Saving Money on Organic Foods
This post is written through a partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. I've made this confession before, but I don't always buy organic foods. Shopping organically can be expensive and most families just can't afford the extra expense to buy only organic foods. While we could probably afford more than what we spend on groceries, it's very hard to commit to spending THAT much more every time we shop. I'm very excited to see all the money saving options that Sprouts is bringing to the Tampa area for organic, natural, and non-GMO groceries. Grand Opening Specials The Grand Opening of Sprouts in Carrollwood is next week and shoppers have several options to save money. Sprouts will be opening at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22nd and the first 200 shoppers in line will get a coupon for 20 percent off their entire purchase. That's a huge savings for anyone who's up early enough to stand in line that morning. Sprouts will be serving coffee and muffins to everyone in line before the ... [ Read More ]
Chocolate Cookie Butter Balls & More Recipe Fun with Sprouts Brand
The recipes in this post are brought to you through a partnership with Sprouts Farmers Markets. About a week ago a huge box of goodies arrived from Sprouts Farmers Market full of pantry staples from their private label. My box arrived on a day when we were running all over town and it sat in the trunk of our Jeep until about 10pm. We had errands to run after school, then we had our Girl Scout meeting, ran by son up to a youth group meeting, grabbed a quick dinner with some friends, back to get my son and finally home to get both kids ready for bed. It was such an exhausting day, but my kids really wanted to help me open the box. This was the box that never ended, the goodies were packed deep in the box. It was a fun box to open. Lots of spice, some sweet heaven in a jar (i.e. Cookie Butter), and a few essentials that will stock our pantry for a while. We (almost) immediately opened the jar of Cookie Butter for a quick snack before heading off to bed! If you missed my ... [ Read More ]
Sprouts Farmers Market coming to Carrollwood
This post is written through a partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. It doesn't take long for the news to spread when something new is headed to your neighborhood. Several months ago some friends circulated a post on Facebook about a new farmers market grocery store that was going in down the street from us. The building has been under construction for months and there are no signs out front yet. Fast forward to December of last year when one of their communication specialists reached out to me about working on an upcoming campaign to announce the store to the Tampa Bay area. I was very curious to know if this was the same store I had heard about earlier in the year. Is Sprouts Farmers Market coming to Tampa Bay?? Is there really going to be a new place for me to shop locally for natural and organic foods...without having to drive 20+ minutes to "the other guys?" Yes!!!! Sprouts Farmers Market is opening several stores in the Florida area in 2017; including Tampa! The ... [ Read More ]
Ringling Bros Circus – the End of an Era
The final performances of the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus are going on this week in Tampa. It's a bittersweet ending to the Greatest Show on Earth. It's been 146 years since the circus has been coming to towns across the United States. It was a much different time when the circus began and the performances have changed a lot with the times. Today's performances are more about the entertainers than the animals; especially since they announced the retirement of their elephants for this final season. I'm not here to debate whether or not animals should be used in the circus; but rather to look back at the memories that I have from my childhood on the circus. My parents are from a different generation and for them the circus was a huge deal. They would save up their money each year so that they could take my brother and I to the circus when it came to town. It was a big deal for us to go into the city and watch the three rings filled with clowns and performers. It ... [ Read More ]
Holiday Fun at Westfield Malls & #HowDoYouHoliday $100 Shopping Spree Giveaway
This post is sponsored by Westfield Malls. Next week is Thanksgiving! Christmas is just over a month away! ....1, 2, 3....big deep breath!!! You've got this!! The holidays always arrive quicker than I'm ready for them. With my day job, this is my busy season and I am working overtime just preparing for Black Friday & Cyber Monday. I barely have time to relax, sip hot cocoa, or do any early Christmas shopping for the family. I'm hoping to change some of this next week by working late nights and overtime to get the big projects for work done by this weekend. (If you know me in real life, you know this will never happen...I'll be working on Thanksgiving Day!) Westfield Mall is there to help you with your holiday stress and I have a $100 Westfield Mall Shopping Spree to giveaway to one of my local readers. If you don't know what you're shopping for, visit the Westfield Holiday Gift Guide to help you with your shopping list. This will help you make the most ... [ Read More ]
10 Ways Housekeepers Clean Better Than You
Do you enjoy cleaning your home? I mean REALLY enjoy it?? I personally find that it's the very last thing that I do each week and usually only if we're expecting guests. As a mom who works full-time I find that my energy level after work is minimal. To be honest, since I work from the home, work never really ends some days. Pro Housekeepers of Tampa reached out to me a few weeks ago and offered to send a cleaning crew to my house, how could I possibly say no to that?? I've used housekeepers 2-3 times in the past 20 years and each time I wonder why I don't make the leap and sign up for regular cleanings. I'm always so relieved when they leave and my house is always WAY cleaner than I would ever get it. The kids and I will pick up throughout the week, but we usually save the deep cleaning for the weekends. ...and by "deep cleaning" I mean I may vacuum, mop, and clean the bathroom sink. The really deep cleaning is saved for before company visits. Want to try Pro Housekeepers of ... [ Read More ]