In May, I was introduced to Scentsy. I cannot tell you how much I love the products and fragrances that are available. I love that these are basically candles, but they are wickless. How are they activated? Scentsy are plugged in, so no need to risk the kids with a flame. You can see from my post in May that even though the wax warms up, it is still safe to the skin, so if it is knocked over, you won’t have to worry with burned fingers or catching fire.

Scentsy is one of the country’s fastest growing direct sales companies (and woman-owned business). Designed to melt scented wax with a low wattage light bulb, Scentsy warmers let you enjoy a scent in your home without the fire and burn risk associated with candles. With scent categories such as Bakery or Fall & Winter, you can plug in a stylish ceramic warmer (or create your own NEW DIY warmer!) and fill the air with a favorite fragrance – making any house feel like a home during the holidays.

How it Works

All you need is a Scentsy ceramic warmer and scented wax bars that are created with a proprietary combination of ingredients. Simply plug in a Scentsy warmer, turn it on and place one or more sections of the Scentsy candle bar into the ceramic dish. As the wax melts (a low wattage light bulb heats the wax), it will release a fragrance into the air. The more bars you use, the stronger the fragrance. When you are finished enjoying the scent, simply pour the melted wax back into its original packaging and store in a cool place. Clean the warmer dish with a paper towel and you are ready for the next Scentsy experience. The finest dyes and scented oils are hand picked to create an array of colors and aromas, available in the authentic Scentsy bar. Candle lovers can choose from more than 80 high quality fragrances, segmented into eight categories: Scentsy Favorites, Fall & Winter, Bakery, Spa, Romance, Tropical, Scentsy Man and Scentsy Café.

Plug-in System ($25)

• This includes one plug-in warmer and three bars, with it you can select from the following:
• Scentsy Plug-In – This is the ideal present for someone who is big on style, but short on space. The Scentsy Plug-in Warmers are sized to fit into small spaces and designed with a detachable base, making it quick and easy to change between your favorite fragrances.
• Scentsy Bars – These potent bars of highly scented wax are specially designed wickless candles that melt at a low temperature. With convenient break-apart sections, you can divide one bar into different warmers or mix and match scents for your own personalized fragrance.

This holiday season, what is a better way to get that fresh baked smell in your house, even when you aren’t baking all day? Scentsy has some amazing smelling scents!

I received three scents to try out and the first one has to be my favorite so far!

• Winter Wonderland
• Vanilla cream
• Cinnamon Cider

All are amazing! I wish there was a way to video scents so that you can see these for yourself!

With these, I received a Plug–In Scentsy Warmer in Weave Scarlet. Beautiful color! I love the fine detail on the plug in, I love that you can turn the plug to the direction that your outlet is at, I love the look, I love everything about this plug in! Most of all, I love that this has been plugged in for a few hours already and there is no damage to the under part of my cabinets like I have experiences with a plug in last year (not Scentsy).

As a party plan company, Scentsy warmers and scent bricks/bars are available through consultants across the country. Please visit www.scentsy.com, where you can search for a consultant in your area.

Earlier this month, I posted my excitement for opening a box from Pretend Play Kitchen Shop that included the Gudecraft Wood Kitchen Helper. Why was I excited right off the bat? Well, its because I was expecting a ton of pieces to be in the box and a good hour to put it together, but it CAME already assembled!

I have really been trying to let the kids in the kitchen more, but we never had a way to let them ‘up’ near the bar area where I get meals ready, other than a bar stool where they could fall off of it. With the Kitchen Helper, all our problems are solved! Tucker is able to help get meals ready

With my increased love for cooking & baking, I really want the kids to be able to come and help in the kitchen more. Why? Letting the kids in the kitchen really helps with their learning and also to help teach them chores and helps them learn things from baking, helping mom with dishes and so much more! Giving your kids responsibilities are an early age really helps with so much! When you let your kids in the kitchen, let them help cook/prepare meals and even do things like help to wash dishes, this really gives your kids a sense of responsibility and that they can do it. Tucker is so proud when he is allowed to help and that he CAN do it. Here’s a video of him helping make muffins.

I cannot tell you how much I love the Kitchen Helper! When not in use, the Kitchen Helper folds very nicely and can be stored away. We keep ours before you go in to the pantry area. Fits perfect and takes up no room at all!

About the Guidecraft Kitchen Helper from Pretend Play Kitchen Shop:

Guidecraft Wood Kitchen Helper

Kitchen Helper – Lightweight, easy to move and easier to store. Our Kitchen Helper safely and securely allows children to reach countertop height so that they can take part in many learning and sharing activities that are normally not accessible to them. Easily adjust to three platform heights. Wood construction with a rich maple toned finish.

Features include:

• Made of sturdy WOOD construction!
• Childproof EZ folding design
• Folds FLAT for easy storage – less than 7″ wide
• Lightweight – weighs under 18lbs
• Adjust to 3 heights to grow with your kids
• Platform bolts in place for added security
• Attractive Maple toned finish
• Dry erase and chalkboards for floor-level fun
• Ships assembled
• Dimensions: 20.25″L x 20.75″W x 36.75″H
• Weight: 18lb

I have absolutely no ‘mom improvements’ on the Kitchen Helper to suggest. I love everything about it from packaging, delivery, weight, storing, to use, to price. We don’t have a large kitchen, so knowing that this folds up for easy storage is so great! We are looking forward to many more kitchen adventures, chores and baking to share with you all throughout the holidays, and beyond! Pretend Play Kitchen Shop has the most adorable pretend play kitchens that I have seen in a while. I love the colors, the accessories and the endless fun that your little one will have.

For more information, please visit www.pretendplaykitchenshop.com/ and be sure to sign up for their newsletter and you will get an INSTANT $5.00 coupon!

Mommy Goggles Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my home, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I am all about my kids, well any child, having fun with pretend play. We received the ">Step2 Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen a couple of months ago and this has been nothing but pure fun in our home! While the kitchen itself is amazing and so much fun, there are so many fun accessories that you can add to this set to make it an entire shopping experience.

Here are some of the kids’ favorite things to play with. Seriously – hours of entertainment! We have a small ‘entry way’ that was built in, in the front of our house. This is the kids’ ‘kitchen’. It’s perfect for their Step2 Kitchen and to go grocery shopping!

I cannot tell you how madly in love with the Little Helper’s Grocery Cart that I.. er… the kids are in! First of all, there is nothing to put together. When you purchase this adorable grocery cart, it is all in one, no pieces, no tools needed. Un-box and play!

Little Helper’s Grocery Cart
Kids can really shop till they drop with this easy-to-push, super durable grocery cart.

• This cart is designed with a low and wide shape making it easy to handle, even for early walkers
• Large, durable wheels roll smoothly
• Features a wide open basket space that provides trouble-free access to items inside
• Extra storage space down below on the lower shelf for more fun cargo
• Works perfect for a play stroller too – seat space is perfect for a favorite doll or stuffed animal
• Made in USA of US and imported parts
• Ships fully assembled for instant out-of-the-box play
• Accessories and play food not included

The Little Helper’s Grocery runs just under $35 and is a perfect addition to any home. The kids also use it for picking up toys in the house. It is a dual purpose toy. Fun for kids, great for mom!

We have a hard time finding play food that doesn’t break, isn’t thin and flimsy, so when I browsed around Step2’s website, I had to check out their play food.

Play Food Assortment

This large 101 piece play food assortment is a must have for playtime cooking

• Includes a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, pastries, sandwiches, breakfast, snack, dessert, Italian, Mexican and Japanese foods
• Enhances playtime experiences with Step2® kitchens and playhouses
• Made in China
• Serve up all this great food with with a LifeStyle™ Dining Room and Pots & Pans Set! (sold separately)
• Food assortment was recently updated and contents may vary per order

This play food set has to be the best that I have been able to find so far. We went all around Omaha to local stores to find play food, but all we could find was thin, cheaply made play food that would have been deteriorate before we had a chance to play with it. I was really excited to see that the pieces were thicker than the local retail places had to offer. There were a few (very few) pieces that were thin, but overall, I would say at least 99% of this play food assortment is very well made and very well worth the price tag that is just shy of $25.00 retail price. Tucker’s favorite of all the 101 pieces is the tacos. So realistic!

We have been getting in to baking, so having the Step2 Lifestyle Deluxe Kitchen, the kids have been getting more in to it as well. They love to help, but also love to pretend. While I think the Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set is more ‘realistic’ and could very well be used IN the real kitchen, the kids have a blast with this set in their ‘kitchen area’. We have a table and tiny chair setup in their area where they can set the table and have all their pretend play and bake mommy some play goodness.

Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set

Introduce your aspiring chef to the essence of gourmet baking with the Cooking Essentials™ 20 Piece Baking Set. This Step2® baking set is the perfect complement to Step2® LifeStyle™ kitchens, and includes all the necessary tools for your little ones to “bake” breads and pastries!

• Authentic-looking bakware is sized for children
• High-quality wood, stainless steel, plastic, and fabric construction
• Includes wooden pastry board, rolling pin, pastry wheel, pie server, spoon & spatula, stainless mixing bowl, bear-shaped cake pan, loaf pan, 3 cookie cutters, oven mitt, pot holder, measuring spoons and measuring cups
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in China
• The perfect accessory set for Step2® LifeStyle™ Kitchens

The potholders are adorable and so real like! Tucker is 4 ½ and watching him show his sister how to be safe and take hot things from their Step2 oven is priceless!

We will be using the Cooking Essentials 20 Piece Baking Set in mommy’s real kitchen this baking holiday season, so check back for more fun in the kitchen with the whole family! We use a lot of the Step2 products, play food, shopping cart, and even the kitchen IN our real kitchen. To me, role play is a huge part of our family and kids’ lives. It brings out so much in them.

(Sorry the video is fuzzy.. trying to get the kinks fixed)

For more information and other fab products for your home and pretend play, visit www.step2.com

Mommy Goggles Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my home, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I love bread. My kids love bread, but who likes to run to the store every time they need bread or bread products like bread, monkey bread, or even pizza dough? For the past few weeks, my family has thoroughly enjoyed having fresh, homemade bread and they are getting a bit spoiled to my turning in to a Betty Crocker. I have been making so many things with my Wolfgang Puck Programmable Dual-Blade Bread Maker.

Enjoy delicious, fresh-baked bread even when you’re pressed for time with this Wolfgang Puck Programmable Dual-Blade Bread Maker. You’ll love the horizontal loaf pan with dual kneading blades, 11 pre-programmed settings that take the guess work out of kneading, rising, and baking time and the custom setting that allows you to set the machine to your specific preference. This sensational time saver gives you the performance and versatility to recapture the love of baking any time you want. No need to make time to bake, just set the controls and let it do all the work for you!

Wolfgang Puck Programmable Dual-Blade Bread Maker

• Bread pan
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoon
• 2 Kneading blades
• Kneading blade removal tool
• 2 AAA batteries (for digital clock)

Product Features:

• Dual kneading blades – provides a more thorough kneading job even with large loaves
• 11 digital pre-programmed modes – automatically adjusts the cycle times to match your specific baking needs: basic, whole wheat, French, quick, sweet, cake, jam, dough, rapid bake, bake, gluten-free and custom settings
• Custom setting allows you to set the machine to cater to your family’s preference
• Large LCD display with clock timer – gives you easy-to-read controls and allows you to monitor your time and settings as you bake
• 24-hour delay bake programmable timer – works around your schedule and does nearly everything for you
• Produces 2 and 2.5 lb. loaf – sensational capacity for family-size baking
• Dual kneading blades – provides a more thorough kneading job even with large loaves
• Keep-warm feature at end of cycle – sustains the temperature of the bread so you get fresh, warm results, ready when you are
• Adjustable crust control – easily obtain the exact crust that fits your preference – light, medium or dark
• Dishwasher safe nonstick bread pan and kneading blades
• Large viewing window – allows you to view the process without interrupting any of the cycle
• Cool-touch housing – helps prevent burns and allows for easy access
• User guide includes dozens of recipes – gives you fresh ideas for your new bread maker
• Measuring cup and spoon included – gives you all the tools you need to get started
• Model #: BBME025
• Measures approx. 17-2/5″L x 11″W x 12″H
• ETL listed
• 800W; 120V-60Hz
• Power source: plugs into a standard household electrical outlet
• Made in China
• Comes with a manufacturer’s 1-year limited warranty

I loved it when I opened the box because, right away, I saw that it had just about everything I need to get started right away. I went out and bought bread flour and yeast, but just about everything else was already in my pantry. My first loaf that I made with Wolfgang Bread Maker was such a great experience! The cookbook/instruction booklet that is included gives you so many great recipes that are so easy to follow along. Literally, the booklet tells you step by step what to do, what to add to the bread pan and what buttons to push. Here is a video to show you one of my experiences with the Wolfgang Puck Programmable Dual-Blade Bread Maker.

Here was my end result:

Not only can you make homemade bread, but I tried Monkey Bread and Oh.My.Gosh! So yummy!!

Here is a yummy recipe that I found and altered to fit the Wolfgang Puck Bread Maker. Kids can also pitch in and help with the dough. They will love to help!

Monkey Bread in a Bread Machine

INGREDIENTS (Put in machine in order as below)

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

For the topping:

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/4 cup of chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove baking pan from machine. Place (in order) water, softened margarine, flour, sugar, cinnamon & salt.
2. At the top of the powdered mixture, place the yeast. Make sure that no liquid comes in contact with the yeast. Select dough cycle and press start.
3. When dough is complete, place dough on floured surface and knead 10 to 12 times.
4. In a medium saucepan on low heat, melt one cup of butter, stir in brown sugar and raisins (1/4 cup of chopped nuts is good too!). Stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
5. Cut dough in one inch chunks. Drop one chunk at a time into the butter sugar mixture. Thoroughly coat dough pieces, then layer them loosely in a greased Bundt or tube pan, staggering layers so you’re plopping each dough chunk over a space between two below. Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until dough is just over the top of the pan, 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degree C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till golden brown. Remove from oven, place a plate face down in top of the pan and, using oven mitts to hold plate on pan, turn over both until bread slides out onto plate. Serve warm…and enjoy.

How can this bread machine save you money?

Estimated for a loaf of bread: $2.00. We eat a lot of bread, make a lot of pizzas and make a lot of snacks, so this would be pretty pricey in the long run to go to the store and buy all these premade products.

With a bread machine, you just need to start out with the bread machine, buy your ingredients like bread flour and yeast. I have made at least 10 loaves of bread already and I still have half a package left and the yeast lasts a while too. I started out with the premeasured packaging, but I bought a large jar of yeast. You really can save time and money from not having to run to the store to buy things that you need from dough for pizzas, homemade bread, snacks, cakes, you can even make your own JAM in this bread machine! I love having my house smell like fresh bread and the kids love having it for snacks and with our meals. Oh, love that smell!

Clean up with the Wolfgang Puck Bread Machine was SO easy! Easier than I was expecting. The bread pan is non-stick. I saw this and thought ‘yeah right’. Yup – it sure is! The crumbs and dough just slide out very easy! I just wipe down and rinse off in the sink, but the bread pan is dishwasher safe.

Storing the Wolfgang Puck Bread Maker is pretty easy. I do not have a lot of counter space, but we have a bar area where the kids sit and eat and I keep it on there. I think the size is great.

I will be posting more about this fabulous bread machine along with some recipes and tips, so keep checking back here, as well as on www.mixinkitchen.com that will be launching on October 1st.

I was a fan of Wolfgang Puck before trying out his fabulous bread machine, but I am an even bigger fan now! Have you tried his new All Natural Pizzas? If not, you are totally missing out!

For more information on products, even dining locations and a wide variety of Wolfgang Puck’s new frozen All Natural Pizza’s, please visit http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/

You can also become a fan on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/wolfgangpuck

And follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/wolfgangbuzz

I am so passionate about my new Frigidaire Stainless Steel Fridge from the Gallery collection, not only because it is pretty to look at, but it really DOES save me time. How? I cannot tell you how long it took me to clean my old fridge. The shelves were a pain, the plastic inside was so hard and it was just hard to maneuver inside the fridge to get things cleaned. With my new Frigidaire Fridge, I can pull shelves out, lift them up, rearrange to fit the food and storage containers in my fridge and the outside is a breeze to clean up as well. Take a peek at this video to show you what I am talking about.

I will be honest and say that I was scared to have a Stainless Steel Fridge in my home with two small kids. Fingerprints and don’t forget about the water drops that stay on the front of the fridge (oh, food fights too), but clean up, inside and out, is so easy! Lets face it: No matter what kind of appliance you have, there is bound to have fingerprints, smudges and dirt on them. Why not have gorgeous appliances with easy clean up?

I am very impressed with the clean up and how easy it is to get and stay clean. Real stainless steel with a protective coating that reduces fingerprints and smudges so it’s easy to clean. The shelves are SpillSafe™ Shelves that are designed to keep spills contained, making clean up a breeze. We have had some spills from the kids’ drinks inside on the shelves and with the SpillSafe, it prevent the spilled liquid from running down the inside of the fridge as well it is very easy to wipe up. The lighting inside is awesome! We have had 3 gallons of milk on the top shelf, where the light is, and we still have tons of light inside to see what we are doing.

For more information and other fabulous appliances to help save you time, please visit http://www.frigidaire.com/

How many of you love to bake cookies? In the past, I never really was a ‘fan’ of cookies like sugar cookies where you make it from scratch, cut and do all the fancy icing, that is… until the last year or so. I think to get really motivated to get in to cookie baking you need the right tools and the right direction. Wilton is a great tool for both! Not only does Wilton offer great baking tools, all the materials that you need to bake, but they also have a fun and full of information book coming out next month called ‘Wilton Cookie Exchange’. Once I received this book, I was in awe and so excited to get started with some of the yummy ideas that this book has. The photographs of the cookies in the book are mouthwatering and, in fact, I ended up going to the store to get some goodies to make these cookies with and some fun cookie cutters.

Wilton Cookie Exchange
Whether you’re hosting or simply attending, Wilton Cookie Exchange will help you bring excitement and fun to the party. From creative invitations and table decorations to cookie designs unlike any others, this is the book you need to make the day merry.

The Wilton Cookie Exchange contains:

• More than 150 easy and exciting holiday cookie decorating ideas in 6 favorite seasonal shapes—Snowflakes, Trees, Stars, Ornaments, Gingerbread Boys and Spritz.
• Classics holiday cookie recipes such as gingerbread and shortbread and tempting new tastes such as Butterscotch Chocolate Pecan Bars, Peppermint Ribbon Cookies and Almond Snowballs. Some of the best recipes were shared by Wilton employees in our Family Favorite Cookie Contest—they’ll become favorites with your family as well.
• Tips on hosting your own cookie exchange – Wilton Cookie Exchange will help you coordinate every detail. Our Exchange Basics section is a blueprint for a successful event. It’s filled with suggestion for creating fun, informative invitations, setting ground rules for guests, packaging cookies to look their most festive and more. There’s even a week-by-week checklist for organizing your cookie exchange without stress.
• Kitchen-tested steps for perfectly baked, taste-tempting and colorfully decorated holiday cookies.
• A cookie exchange can make the season brighter for everyone. Use Wilton Cookie Exchange as your guide to make it a holiday event you’ll look forward to year after year.

This publication will be available in October 2009

I think letting the kids in the kitchen for cookie baking is not only fun, but educational as well. Put on an apron, pull up a stool for the kids and get to baking some fun cookies! For more information, books to help and fab products to get you started, please visit www.wilton.com