3/15/14

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card #Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop!
This event runs from March 16-31 and is

After you enter my giveaway, hop around to all the 
other blogs below and enter their giveaways.

I'm giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter below.
Open to US residents, ages 18+.
Giveaway ends at midnight 3/31/2014.
Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

#SXSW The Cheeses of Europe Austin Event Photojournal #sxswfromage #travel

We had a wonderful time at SXSW last night! Johnny and I attended The Cheeses of Europe event at Old School Bar and Grill at 401 E 6th Street. If you're in the Austin area, YOU can go today from 11am-7pm for scrumptious cheese samples, delectable wine samples, and half-off all cheese purchases! You'll also have the opportunity to see cheese carving, chat with cheese representatives all the way from France, and even learn how to pronounce some challenging cheese names. If you unable to attend today's event, be sure to visit TheCheesesOfEurope.com for some top chef recipe videos and more! I hope you enjoy my photojournal.
















* Update to my Cheeses of Europe post! Over 2000 people visited the venue Saturday during SXSW and all the leftover cheese (nearly 300 pounds) was donated to Keep Austin Fed!

3/14/14

Gift Idea: Pewter and Ivory Cross

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
With spring comes the promise of new babies, confirmations, baptisms, graduations, and of course the Easter celebration. There is no symbol more important to Christians than the cross and this beautiful statue is the perfect gift for almost any occasion. This 5" tall cross is made of a silver pewter colored poly resin with a detailed ivory inlaid enamel design, accented with glistening rhinestones and cut out details for a dramatic effect, on a base with elegant filigree patterned sides.
Available at www.LittleThingsFavors.com, this cross statue is a top-selling item for those seeking religious favors for events. Surround the cross with some lilies and lace for a breathtaking and meaningful Easter brunch centerpiece or adorn your fireplace mantel with the cross atop purple fabric for a dramatic reminder of its meaning. Imagine one on each table at a wedding reception!
Each cross will arrive in its own gift box, tied with a satin ribbon and gift tag that says "for you." It is an easily affordable gift that is appropriate for all ages and will be treasured for years to come. The back of this cross statue is flat so you can even personalize your gift with a permanent marker with the occasion and date.
Visit Little Things Favors at www.LittleThingsFavors.com to shop for your Christian favors and gifts for any event. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest too!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

3/13/14

Moi by Miss Piggy at QVC

This is a Fashionista Events opportunity.

Why be you when you can be Moi?

Introducing "Moi by Miss Piggy," a new lifestyle brand scheduled to debut Sunday, March 16 on QVC.

I love Miss Piggy and can't wait for Sunday!

Tune in to watch Miss Piggy and The Muppets on QVC all day March 16: http://qvc.co/Muppets-Most-Wanted

See Disney's Muppets Most Wanted in theatres March 21: http://Disney.com/Muppets

Visit the QVC website: http://www.qvc.com/

Don't miss out on any new products or arrivals: https://www.facebook.com/QVC

Follow QVC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/qvc

3/12/14

Frugal Spring Decorating + $50 Home Depot Gift Card Giveaway

#sponsored
Spring is the season for cleaning, gardening, and upgrading your patio furniture and decor. While all of this is very exciting, prices for flowers, fresh paint, and furniture sets can add up quickly. Consumers around the country are saving by buying discounted gift cards to your favorite home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes from CardCash.com. Here are some great frugal spring decor tips from my interview with Elliott Bohm, plus an opportunity to enter below to win a $50 Home Depot gift card to get started on your spring home decorating makeover!
Lisa: How can I spruce up my entryway this spring without spending a lot of money?

Elliot Bohm: It depends what exactly you have in mind but there are some simple fixes that won’t break the bank. A simple runner attracts attention but make sure the space is free of clutter so it doesn’t take away from the look. Pier 1 Imports or TJ Maxx are always great options for this or other accent furniture; try using discount gift cards at CardCash.com to save on all of your purchases. If you want a little more, and you’re the type to spend a Saturday afternoon painting, use discount gift cards to Home Depot and Lowe’s to save on your supplies, and then paint the entryway a light, spring color.
Lisa: Since I'm on a strict redecorating budget, what changes can I make that will make the most impact with the least cost?

Elliot Bohm: The most cost-effective way to spruce up on a budget is to skip the big ticket spending, and concentrate on a few small changes that go a long way. Changing the color of the accents in your most used rooms, using fresh flowers in strategic places especially when entertaining, and decluttering to add more space are all quick, simple fixes to give any home a facelift.
Lisa: In which areas of my home should I concentrate most when redecorating for spring?

Elliot Bohm: Definitely the living room or den. It’s usually the most seen and used room in the home, and when entertaining guests it’s where you would generally bring them after eating in the kitchen or dining room. Unlike those rooms, a den or living room can easily be spruced up and updated to reflect the season without spending too much.
Lisa: What tips do you have for backyard patio budget decorating?

Elliot Bohm: Sales, sales, sales. Like location, location, location in real estate, sales are the best way to save hands down. Now it all depends on how picky one is: do they need something exact or are they willing to improvise and shop the store that’s having the best sale. JC Penney and Pier 1 Imports are great options, as they are always having sales on great patio furniture. Try deal aggregate sites like Bradsdeals.com, where they scour the web for the best deals. And try discount gift cards from CardCash.com to extend those savings even further; right now Pier 1 gift cards are 21% off. Gift cards can be coupled with all other sales or deals to stretch those sales even further.
Win a $50 Home Depot Gift Card, sponsored by CardCash.com!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/31/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Get a FREE Word Press Blog

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Ready to start blogging? Just CLICK HERE and when you sign up, please be sure to say Lisa Weidknecht referred you!

Giveaway Link Up - Wednesday Wealth (Mar 12-18)

Thanks for stopping by!
If you have giveaways, link them up below.
If you love giveaways, enter below for a chance to win!
Won something lately? Leave a comment!

3/11/14

iLeesh Retractable Dog Leashes - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
My dog Buddy just turned 12 years old. He rescued us when he was just 3 years old and I've always walked him on the same 2" leash. He has always been a wonderful walking companion. Although he weighs nearly 100 pounds, he doesn't pull forward on the leash and walks right next to me. I was really excited to try out a new retractable leash with Buddy.
iLeesh retractable leashes are designed to give a dog maximum freedom on a walk, while allowing the owner to maintain control. The leashes are made from durable impact plastic, available in black, turquoise, or pink. The soft grip handle makes it comfortable in the owner's hand and the button on top is a one-hand braking and locking system.
The high intensity soft nylon belt material is designed to avoid burns or cuts and a super strong chromium plated latch hook attaches to your dog’s collar securely. The leash handle features a domed waterproof reflective sticker with a picture of a particular breed on it. There are over 70 breeds available, but since Buddy is a mixed breed, I choose "I love my dog." The medium retractable leash is 16 feet long and is made for dogs up to 44 pounds, and the large retractable leash is 9 feet long and is made for dogs up to 100 pounds.
Buddy and I both LOVE the iLeesh retractable leash! He is enjoying the freedom to stop and sniff everything that was previously out of his reach. I love the ease of use, the comfortable handle, and the ability to lock the leash at a shorter length when we run out of sidewalk and have to walk in the street alongside the curb. I also appreciate that this leash is much lighter in weight than his previous leash. I highly recommend iLeesh!
Visit www.ileesh.com to shop for your dog's new retractable leash that features the breed you love. They also offer a great selection of throw pillows, coffee mugs, tee shirts, mouse pads, keychains, decals, air fresheners, and iPhone cases. You can even send in a photo of your dog to completely customize your selected products. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too!

What breed is your dog?

3/10/14

Fresh Fruit Vinegars

There is a brand new product on the horizon! Dress it up or dress it down, fresh fruit vinegars can make your wildest cooking fantasies come true. From drizzling over salads to flavoring marinades to mixing with liquor and pouring over ice for a refreshing cocktail - fresh fruit vinegars will leave you wanting more.

“If you’ve ever tried cooking with a fresh fruit vinegar, chances are you weren’t able to stop,” says Christopher Spivak, owner and founder of Mangé, a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in gastronomic cuisine. “Most people think that if you’ve tried one vinegar, you’ve tried them all - I certainly felt that way,” recalls Spivak. “That was until I traveled to France and experienced a real fresh fruit vinegar. At that moment, I knew there was an undeniable difference between fresh fruit vinegar and every other vinegar on the market.”

Fruit vinegar dates back to the 18th century when berries were preserved in vinegar. Today, Spivak is putting a modern twist on the classic with Mangé’s line of exquisite fresh fruit vinegars. Unlike infused or syrup-based fruit vinegars, Mangé’s fresh fruit vinegars are made using fruit that has been picked at its peak, puréed and preserved in vinegar. “Our process allows the vinegar to capture the true essence of the fruit’s natural flavor,” explains Spivak. “Each one of our vinegars starts with a flavorful burst of fruit and finishes with a balanced, acidic kick."

Fresh Fruit Vinegars bring the true taste of fruit to your plate. Great for cocktails and meals giving them that extra fruit punch! Preserving fruit in vinegar is a tradition that dates back to the 18th century, modern fresh fruit vinegars are a product category that until now has been unavailable in the United States. Today, We are putting a modern twist on the classic with Mangé’s exquisite line of fresh fruit vinegars that are all natural, gluten-free, Kosher, and made without preservatives or synthetic dyes. Simple to use and highly versatile, fresh fruit vinegars are light enough to drink from a spoon, yet strong enough to marinate a ceviche.

From home cooks to professional chefs, Mangé’s full line of fresh fruit vinegars offer eleven flavors that are sure to please every palate, including: Blackberry, Blood Orange, Cherry, Fig, Green Apple, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pear, Raspberry, Red Pepper and White Peach. Unlike other infused or syrup-based fruit vinegars, Mangé’s fresh fruit vinegars are made using fruit that has been picked at its peak, puréed and preserved in vinegar. The process allows the vinegar to capture the essence of each fruit’s natural flavor, creating a brilliant burst of fruitful flavor that can be added to any appetizer, entrée, dessert or cocktail.

Find out more about this Kickstarter Campaign HERE.

Are You Losing The Diet Game? (infographic)

3/9/14

Bufferin Bucket List Sweepstakes

Disclosure: This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received a full-sized bottle of Bufferin® Buffered Aspirin and the craft supplies for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
There are so many wonderful things to see and do on this beautiful planet we call Earth. Over the years, I've compiled my "Bucket List" of things to accomplish before I "kick the bucket." Do you have a list? From February 18 through March 14, 2014, you can enter the Bufferin Bucket List Sweepstakes for a chance to win $1000 to help you check off something on your Bucket List! Three lucky winners will be chosen will win a $1000 Amex Gift Card and a full-sized bottle of Bufferin to 3 randomly selected entrants who share their bucket list items. Winners will be chosen February 28, March 7 and March 14. To enter, visit the Bufferin Facebook page to fill out an official entry form, which includes a required field where you share your own personal "bucket list" item. Winners are announced on the Bufferin Facebook page along with their bucket list item. 
To keep me focused on my Bucket List goals, Bufferin provided me some craft items to create a visual Bucket List. I wrote down my top ten items on clothespins and once I accomplish each one, I can drop the clothespin into my bucket! Here's what I've listed: Travel to Hawaii (which I did once about 25 years ago, but I want to take my husband there), Swim With Dolphins (which I am going to do in April), Buy a Big Property (our retirement home), Ride a Hot Air Balloon, See the Great Pyramids, See the Giant Redwoods, Go on a Cruise (which I'll be doing in April), Write a Novel (which is in process), Travel to Jerusalem, and Build Our Own Home.
Since money is often an obstacle to meeting bucket list goals, I'm definitely entering the Bufferin Bucket List Sweepstakes. That $1000 prize would definitely get me up in a Hot Air Balloon or maybe pay for a road trip to See the Giant Redwoods. Now that all my children have reached adult age, I'm feeling much more adventurous and I may even add Skydiving to my Bucket List. Aches and pains can also be an obstacle because, let's face it, who cares about pyramids if you're in pain? What's on your Bucket List?
Bufferin Buffered pain relief tablets are the only non-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that's gentler on your stomach. They are formulated by combining the pain relief of aspirin with three different buffering agents that all work together to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains, plus reduce fever while neutralizing stomach acid that can cause stomach discomfort. Bufferin is touch on pain and gentler to your stomach than plain aspirin, to help keep your aches and pains at bay while you continue with your daily activities (and Bucket List fun). Bufferin is available at Walgreen's and Walmart stores nationwide. Learn more at www.bufferin.com.
Last year, I got to ride in a race car! That is definitely one of my favorite Bucket List accomplishments to date. What is on top of your Bufferin Bucket List? Share what you wish to cross off your list! Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
Get the latest information on Bufferin at www.bufferin.com.

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received a full-sized bottle of Bufferin® Buffered Aspirin and the craft supplies for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.