Wordless Wednesday: My Tiny Gourd Family

*Left To Right: Truffles, Frankie, Nora

Tasty Tuesday: Candy Corn Oreos- Weigh In!

As I promised, here is yet another seasonal specialty treat; this one just as recognizable as the first (White Chocolate Candy Corn M&M's); Nabisco's Candy Corn Oreos! There was so much feedback from the first post; many of you were torn by a love or intense dislike of Candy Corn. Some were also concerned about the intensity of the flavor, versus my perceived underwhelming presence of it. I still stand by my belief that the Candy Corn M&M's rely mainly on the White Chocolate flavoring, and are a more subtle specialty variety. If you haven't tried them yet, for yourself, be sure to keep your eyes peeled at local Target and National 99 Cents Only Stores!

I found this weeks featured seasonal foodie delight first online; where one blogger was bragging of Facebooking her find before her friends. In truth, these Oreos did require a bit of hunting. Also stocked at Target, 3/4 of the local branches don't seem to have them in stock. Oddly enough, they weren't found with the seasonal Halloween merchandise either- but stuffed on a shelf behind a column! The packaging resembles classic Golden Oreos, in a yellow peel back sleeve, but clearly displays vivid Candy Corn artwork on it's front.

Joining the ranks of Berry Burst, Green Tea, Lemon Ice, Birthday Cake, and Peanut Butter, these Limited Edition Oreos are new for 2012. Replacing the traditional Yellow and Orange seasonal cream filled sandwich cookies, with one that is heavily flavored to solicit a candy corn essence, these just might be my new favorite! Again, I am not a big Candy Corn fan- mainly because the candy itself can often crumble or be tough to chew when old/stale, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the accuracy of the flavoring here.

These Golden Oreo specialty cookies consist of two extra-sweet halves of orange and yellow cream wedged between soft Golden Oreo discs. The filling seems somewhere between double stuffed and classic, not too thin nor thick, and these certainly fall on the more pungent and sweeter scale of seasonal treats. Not only are Candy Corn Oreos tasty, but they're just plain fun to look at. Try scraping the Yellow Cream off first, then tasting the Orange and weigh in on the debate- Are they two flavors, or one? Either way, one thing's for certain, these seasonal beauties go great with an ice cold glass of Milk (Silk for the dairy free, of course)!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday- Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

For those following my updates from our trip to Philadelphia, this was one of my favorite stops- a must for any age or interest; The Philadelphia Magic Gardens. We had stumbled across their website, and discovered this hidden gem on accident- but anyone who lives locally and has not been needs to add it to their list! When we visited it was a drizzly day, but the art and curiosity lovers were still out, despite dangerous conditions (the walls and floors are mosaic). Needless to say, capturing all of the color and wonder was a little rough in the weather, hopefully I've done justice. The Magic Gardens are the result of a 14 year endeavor by eccentric Philadelphia artist and humanitarian Isaiah Zagar, who hand tunneled each walkway, and placed (nearly) every piece of glass/stone/tire/trash? The result is something awe inspiring and humbling!

Fall Fashionista LookBook and $500 Mountain Khakis Giveaway! ~ 10/11

Fall Fashionista LookBook Preview and $500 Giveaway!

You know me. I don't do 'generic blogging'. I have sternly avoided subscriber doubling 'scams', that often pose as giveaways, only to be a repeat form sprawled across 500 blogs, with a million follow entries. It's not my style, no pun intended. That is why I created Blog POP! Events and Group, and why the Fashionista (Web's Only Fashion and Only Fashion Blogger Event) is the only other group event you will ever see me participate in. Because Shelley, of Still Blonde After All These Years, rocks like a second (very trendy, fashion savvy) mom. And for the Chief Blonde, on the pulse of all products and fashion trends for women 40+, I know that's a compliment. Shelley wears her age beautifully and loves helping her readers look and feel just as blonde as ever, thanks to her amazing blog. But enough about Shelley, you're all here to check out the sneak peek of all the amazing 110+ fashion centered giveaways coming up in Fall Fashionista (October 11-17). And of course, while you're here you might as well enter the LookBook preview $500 Mountain Khakis Gift Certificate Giveaway!

  Just to recap, the Fall Fashionista Event consists of over 110 confirmed blogs, all hosting at least 1 $125+ valued giveaway. Giveaways might consist of several prizes, or one large prize with a hefty retail value. A little birdie told me that many blogs (including us) have multiple giveaways, and one even has a prize summed at over $4k! All giveaways are expected to be live within 24 hours of October 11- so you'll have 6 days to enter each and every one, and complete all the bonus entries. Every prize is guaranteed to fall into the fashion category (no makeup, candles, or granola bars here!), many prizes featuring name brand designs. For instance, BellaBags has sponsored and event giveaway worth $1,200, consisting of an original Louis Viutton handbag!

And what on Earth is the LookBook? It's an amazing visual collection of all of the upcoming giveaways and sponsors. Even if you're not interested in the amazing prizes (and why wouldn't you be?) it's a must read for those who like to have their hands on the pulse of current fashion. And if that isn't reason enough to give the LookBook a browse, Mountain Khakis has sponsored a special Fashionista kickoff giveaway in association with the LookBook's release. One lucky Fashionista reader will get to go on a $500 shopping spree with the trendy country inspired Mountain Khakis chain! This is one prize I'm already jealous of- don't let your opportunity at $500 in fashionable clothing slip by- check out the Fall Fashionista LookBook and enter to win today! Then, be sure to stop by Momma Told Me October 11-17 to get entered to win $125 in Barefoot Tess Shoes or or Second Giveaway, an original dress from Stop Staring!

The Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event is the amazing brainchild of The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/ Her co-hosts for the event are Katy Rose of ModlyChic http://www.modlychic.com/ and Kristyn of the K Squared Glamour http://www.ksquaredglamour.org Mark your calendars for October 11-17. It’s going to be Epic!

Open publication - Free publishing - More clothes

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Enter to win a $500 Mountain Khakis Shopping Spree, after the page break!

September's Foodie Penpal Reveal!

Hi there! If you're coming from Momma Told Me, then you're already a little aware of the Foodie PenPal program, but for those new, let me tell you what this post is all about. Started by Lindsay, of The Lean Green Bean, almost a year ago, this monthly (free) online social event is open to both bloggers and readers. Over 1000 participants signed up this month, in the US alone, committing to send a box of foodie goodies ($15 value cap) to a complete stranger; in the name of sharing great food, and meeting new people. Every month, on the 5th of the month, Julie sends out a spreadsheet with your randomly assigned match. The person you will be sending a box to is NOT the person you will receive a box from; so you get to meet 2 new people each month!

Once you have your contact information, it is up to you to reach out to your Foodie PenPal and request their mailing information, in addition to any food allergies/preferences. Then, you have until the 15th of the month to put together an array of store bought and/or home cooked goodies. Julie requires that each box contains something hand written, from an actual penpal letter to a simple explanation of what's inside. When you receive your box you're welcome to dig in and start enjoying all the wonderful treats. Then, on the last day of each month, all of the Foodie PenPals post a reveal of what they received. If your recipient doesn't own a blog, they can elect to write a guest post for your site and vice versa. This program was the inspiration for Time Out For Truffles new PetPals PenPal program, ran along a similar set-up, for pet owners. I highly suggest checking them BOTH out, they're great ways to take your social network offline, and even encourage social skills within families. Why not sign up the family and make it a monthly project?

This month my match was Kathleen from Sweetness Hunter, fellow bakestress and sweet tooth. Just reading a single post on her blog gets my mouth watering; she participates in an stounding 4 foodie swaps! For September I told my match that I loved indulgent sweet snacks that would allow me to splurge. Kathleen sure did come through, with a Fall inspired candy apple twist that included a blast from my high school years Caramel Apple Pops. I didn't even know these were made in varieties other than Green Apple- The Golden Apple variety is delicious! Also included were my new favorite Pepperidge Farm Cookies in Caramel Apple Pie. These had a soft, almost oatmeal, consistency with bits of toffee-esque caramel bits. Needless to say, they didn't last long. Another apple twist was the Caramel Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread I've been enjoying with a little bit of warm butter each morning. To satisfy my mention of 'heat', my foodie penpal sent a Tandoori paste that has a hearty flavor and spice infused warmth. I can't wait to whip some of it into a chicken rice dish I have planned!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my third month with the Foodie PenPal program. I truly love discovering treats that I can't find anywhere local to me! And I especially can't wait to send October's match a bunch of fun and spooky treats for Halloween! Thank you to Julie of ROJ Running for the wonderful box of goodies, and Lindsay of the Lean Green Bean for organizing this month's event!