SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOPS

I like to help out my neighbors and friends so I am a big supporter of buying things local. I just think it is more fun, trying new things at unique shops or restaurants. I'm not saying big chains are bad, it's just sometimes fun to shop local and help the little guys (or ladies) out.

 With the popularity of subscription boxes rising, I decided to try Mercobox. 

The welcome note explains that with every box purchase, your dollars go right back into the community. That means you are supporting local jobs, families, and mom-and-pop shops.

What is inside April's box?

I'll go through it one item at a time:

 3 tea samples and a filter from Fit Me Tea.

They come attached by tiny carabiner I'm sure you can a reason to reuse.

 3 madeleines (like a fluffy cookie) from Les Madeleines.

OM Power Protein with a yummy shake recipe. 

 Ashley's Apothecary healing salve (great for scrapes and bruises).

 Meals that Transform power bar (totally tasty).

 Colombia Guatica coffee sample from Mason Jar Coffee Roasters

 A super cute pouch of Eco Treasures soap nuts.

These are organic berries used as an eco-friendly alternative to store bought detergents

(instructions how to use included).

Finally, some coupons/gift cards (Downtime Yoga free class, Rodizio Grill $10 off,  Ballet West buy one get one 1/2 off, Our Children's Earth $5 off) and a few flyers telling you more info about some of the items in the box...all made in Utah.

Super fun stuff and a great way to try out a new place/item you might not have heard of otherwise.

Anyone want 25% off to try out Mercobox?

Use code iheartutah at checkout.

Disney Frozen

So EVERYBODY is crazy for Frozen, right?! 

Many of you watched the Oscars and know Disney's Frozen was nominated for “Best Animated Feature” and “Best Original Song.” It is a stunning, big-screen comedy-adventure that has amazed at the box office worldwide since its theatrical release last November. Disney Publishing has created both print and digital books for children and families to enjoy long after the credits roll. I was able to check out these three items:

Frozen: A Tale of Two Sisters: This USA TODAY best-selling novel is a 32 page Step Into Reading Level 2 reader which brings the story of Frozen to early readers ages 4-6.

Frozen: The Junior Novelization: This New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling book retells the exciting story of Frozen in 8 pages of full-color scenes from the movie.

Frozen: Storybook Deluxe: Available in the Apple App Store, this digital storybook takes early readers to Disney’s Frozen through super cool interactive features.

Your kiddies can dive into the epic adventure by flipping the device upside-down to hear the story from Anna and Elsa's points of view, use "ice craft" tools to create and build their own frozen scenes and crystal palaces, and watch video clips from the film itself. 

There are more Frozen items to check out listed below:

Frozen Read-Along Storybook and CD

 Frozen: A Sister More Like Me

Elsa and Anna dolls from Mattel

Here are some #DisneyFrozen activity sheets for you to download free:

And the YouTube video of "Let It Go" in 25 different languages:

ROAD BLOCK

When did it become cool for cars to drive right next to each other at the same speed or to speed up when another car tries to pass you?

Oh yeah...NEVER. Please stop doing it.

Same with driving in the far right lane making it hard for people entering the freeway to merge on.

The road is meant to be shared. Please, drive responsibly and quit being a jerk.

10 INCH FRYING PAN

These are few things my mother has told me every lady should always have:

*ice cream in the freezer

*10 inch frying pan

*soft toilet paper

*cute, black dress

So I have my first 10" frying pan.

This pan has an ultra-safe ceramic coating which is 100% PTFE /PFOA free, scratch resistant, and is super easy to clean.

 It is made of durable heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum and has a heat resistant handle.

 Ten inches is the perfect size pan to sauté, fry, bake, boil, or braise your food to perfection.
That's right, I make perfect eggs and pancakes that don't stick to the pan every time (well, pretty close to perfect).

That's right, I mentioned bake. This pan can go from stove to oven up to 350 degrees.

This is my second Ozeri pan and I love them. They hold up great, come in my favorite shade of green, clean easily, and cook food evenly.

Buy this solid Ozeri frying pan for your own collection...then invite me over to taste your culinary delights!

APRIL FOOL

I hate April Fools Day. I'm gullible. I want to believe everything you say (well, not everything). The worst trick ever pulled on me happened when I lived in Oklahoma.

The morning before school, I was up and ready to make breakfast for the kids I was nannying for. One girl walked into the kitchen and said, "Deanna, you're pretty."

"Aww, thank you," I said as my heart melted a little.

"JUST KIDDING! APRIL FOOLS!"

How rude.

POTTY MOUTH SOAP

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

At one time, my dad agreed to put a quarter in a swear jar every time he said a naughty word. I was stoked because I was gonna make some easy money. I don't say bad words so it was easy for me. I think he put a few quarters in before telling me he'd "owe me" the change. My dreams of a big cash cow were soon dying. 

So what's my new solution to help stop those little cussers? You've all seen the scene in A Christmas Story where Ralphie says THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the 'F-dash-dash-dash' word and his mother makes him put soap in his mouth. Well, I found a potty mouth soap you can give your loved ones to help end their profanity problem (or just as a gag gift).

No need to worry because the 3.5 oz soap is made with all-natural, non-toxic ingredients (Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Glycerin of Vegetable Origin, Purified Water, Titanium Dioxide). But it does have a yucky taste that will remind the recipient to choose their words more wisely.

It amazes me that our culture is becoming ruder, cruder, and more acceptable of people having a potty mouth. Purchase your Potty Mouth Soap here to teach a lesson or just for a good laugh (great stocking stuffer).

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.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE

Need something fun and different to do? Try visiting the Empress Theatre for a play. Take an adventure to historic main street in Magna, UT, to a theatre that has been there for almost 100 years!

A little history:

The venue was built in 1916 by to provide burlesque entertainment to Kennecott miners. In 1917-1950's, the theatre started showing movies until it went out of business. In 1978, Stephen Barker purchased the Empress and Gem Theatres to renovate them. Leo W. Ware, a local actor, bought the building in 1983 and worked for over 10 years to finish renovating the Empress for live theater. In 1985, the Empress Theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Super cool history, huh?!

Today,  volunteers, actors, and board members of Oquirrh Hills Performing Arts Alliance (non-profit) bring us several shows each year to promote culture and the arts in Utah. That means they need our ticket purchases or donations to be able to keep bringing us quality shows.

The building is very quaint. I think that allows the audience to feel like they are part of the show and several times the audience interacted with the guests. I saw Kiss Me, Kate tonight. The performance was very fun. It's a great idea for a family night, birthday party, date night, or a fun girl's night out.

Above is a list of the remaining shows for the 2014 Season. Make sure you pick up tickets to at least one of these performances!

If you text Empress to 74499, you can get on their text list to remind you about upcoming shows and they will send you a text for $1 off your concessions purchase. Deal!

Vist their website to buy tickets, get directions, or audition for an upcoming show.

Follow the Empress Theatre on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Love UT Give UT

Love UT Give UT's vision is that on March 20th, everyone contributes to the causes that matter most to them. It could be your school, a favorite charity, or a specific need. It's a day for Utahns of all backgrounds and beliefs to come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving using an online platform at www.loveUTgiveUT.org. 

Want to donate, but need help knowing where to show some love? Love the Arts? Try the Empress Theatre. I'll tell you more about them after I go to a show there this weekend. Either way, don't forget love/give your Utah this Thursday.

Point. Click. Donate. Awesome.

THE GOOD FOOD DUDE

The English language is funny.

Hooked on phonics didn't work for me.

SHAMROCKS

Show off your Shamrocks!

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

MAJESTICAL JEWELRY

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I am over my problem of wearing necklaces I wrote about a few years ago in this post. I have even managed to step it up and wear statement pieces. Yes, that's a lot of attention at my neckline. But, I love them. Just look at this one from Majestical Jewelry in the photos below.

It came with matching earrings too. This girl loves to accessorize.

Majestical is a high fashion online only jewelry store. I love shopping online. The store specializes in handmade jewelry and statement pieces. They have a HUGE variety (charms, fashion, silver, gemstone, and pearl plus bracelets and earrings) and add new, unique pieces all the time. They also have a super cute fashion blog that can help you stay up-to-date with your wardrobe. Quality jewelry and fantastic advice...I couldn't ask for more...unless they gave away dates with James Franco with every order (a girl can dream).

I have a special code (15DOLLARSOFF) to share with you for $15 off orders of $55 or more. Trust me, it wouldn't be hard to spend that much after you look at all they offer on the site. I know I have my eye on a few items (probably too many)!

Check out Majestical on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog

Google+

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.

PAC - Penny Auctions Canada (not just for Canada)

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Do you like to bid on things? Do you like daily deals? If so, you should visit PAC (Penny Auctions Canda). *You don't have to live in Canada (they are open to the US market as well) to enjoy the sites low prices. You can bid on items or just purchase them from their catalog if you can't wait.

So how does it work?

1. You purchase your bids.

2. Pick an auction. There are lots of items that are all brand new you can choose from.

3. Bid on an item. Each time you bid on an item, 1 bid will be deducted from your account. 

It's simple.

Want some free bids?

Use code Tomoson25 at checkout and you can get 25 free bids with a 25 bid purchase.

New sign-ups will get 5 free bids (no purchase necessary). You just need to create a free account and then send an email to affiliates@PennyAuctionsCanada.com telling them your username.

They have cute leather charm bracelets, trendy clothes, shoes, etc.

Check them out on Facebook (where they often have giveaways going on) or visit the website.

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.

THE BACHELOR - Juan Lameo

I'm going to admit something. I sometimes watch The Bachelor. I watched the 18th season of the show even though I thought Juan Pablo was a bad decision (mainly because I couldn't understand what he was saying on the season before).

Anyway, the season finale was lame. Am I right or am I right?! And I think everyone from the Nikki (the girl "liked" the most by JP), previous show participants, Chris Harrison (the host), and the audience.

When I grow up and have Mr. Awesome propose to me, I don't just want him to say he kinda likes me. I hope that I will be a person that when my guy is at work and his coworkers are sitting around the conference table complaining about all of the things they don't like about their spouses, he will stand up and say, "You know what...It totally sucks to be your guys because my wife rocks!" TRUTH. 

I don't see that relationship lasting, but hey, a girl has to get her magazine headlines while she can.

MARDI GRAS

She told me she going to the dog park. 

Next thing I know, I find her like this...

#mardigras

GYM MEMBERSHIP

I walked in to a local gym this afternoon to find out about signing up for a membership. I walked up the counter and kinda embarrassed myself:

ME: I want to find out about starting a relationship.

ME: Wait, what?! MEMBERSHIP. I meant membership.

Awkward stare from gym employee.

Strange comment from really old lady telling me I might be in the wrong place.

ME laughing: I don't know where that word came from.

Other people at counter trying not to laugh.

Let's just say I went back the next day to sign up.