Exclusive! Save 15% on the Via Spiga Resort Collection 2014 ~Gorgeous styles that transition from winter to spring~ #ViaResortReady

Via Spiga presents a new resort collection of women's footwear. Discover styles that will perfectly transition from winter into spring, as well as those sandals that easily slip into your suitcase for the escape you've been dreaming of all winter long. Use #ViaResortReady to share your favorite looks from the collection. Use the exclusive gift code RESORTREADY and save 15% when you shop the Via Spiga resort collection.

Ballard

Elevate your look in polished Via Spiga Ballard dress pumps in Desert and Black. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 The Via Spiga Nino is a transitional desert sand suede peep-toe sandal with oversized enamel buckle in Black and Desert Suede. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 

Galant

Perfect your casual style with the effortlessly chic Via Spiga Galant slip ons in Natural Python and Blue-Grey Python. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 

Valene

The sleek Via Spiga Valene flats add a sophisticated touch to everyday looks in Desert and Black. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 

Fola2

Elevate your look with the sophisticated chic Via Spiga Fola2 sandals in Natural and Black. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 

Foxy

The sleek Via Spiga Foxy sandals add a sophisticated touch to your look in Black and White. Click here to learn more! #ViaResortReady

 

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Mill City Bread Co. Artisan Bread Review

Disclaimer: I received an assortment pack of Mill City Breads complimentary. As always, my opinions are my own.

My family just loves homemade bread but I needed a little nudge to make it more often. That is why I was excited to hear about Mill City Bread Co.  They recently reached out to me to see if I wanted to try some of their new Artisan Bread Mixes.  What a perfect opportunity with all the wonderful soups and stews hubby and I have been cooking up lately.  

Mill City Bread Co. has everything you could every want from Breads to bread making kits, artisan bread mixes, professional quality bread knives, cutting boards and pizza  peels.  They even have these amazing clay oven bread bakers.  Outstanding gifts for anyone that loves to cook or bake.  All these delicious options from Mill City Bread Co. can have you eating homemade bread enjoy all week long.

One of the things I really love about Mill City Bread Co. is that their breads are totally all natural...no artificial anything.

• No GMO ingredients

•  no soy or corn products

• no dough conditioners

•  no preservatives 

• no artificial flavors 

  

  Rustic White Artisan Bread cooling on the rack

  This is just the kind of food I feel good about serving to my family.  I received an assortment pack are available in 5-pack and 10-pack sizes. The 5-pack has one of each bread variety and is on sale now for $22.49. The Five Pack includes classics such as Rustic White, Whole Wheat, Ciabatta, NY Deli Rye, and Bauernbrot. The 10-pack has two of each variety. The 10-pack is definitely the best value on sale now for $39.99.  Mill City Bread Company uses enriched non-bleached, non-bromated flour, pure sea salt (no anti-caking chemicals), and yeast.  Their bread mixes are super easy to make too.  I bake a lot but kind of have had a fear of using yeast.  I know it is strange. Most of my baking is yeast-free but I have made some yeast breads before but it always seems so daunting.  I kind of hold my breath. Yeast. Rising. What to do?  I have to say making Mill City Bread mixes got me over my fear of yeast.  Their process is that easy! I am happy to say if I can do this anyone can. I baked two loaves of bread this weekend...easy peasy!

All blended in a flash

Mix it up for a minute

Here are the simple steps:  You open the large package of bread mix and empty it into a large bowl.  You add the exact amount of water in the recipe (included) and then empty the little packet of yeast in.  You blend it together for about a minute. Mill City Bread has a beautiful dough whisk that can make blending a cinch too.  The dough will seem dry at this point but don't add more water! 

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest on the counter for about 12 hours. It will rise and more than double.  Make a dough ball by just stretching it a few times and thats it.  You take a minute to prep your clay baker by soaking the top for 15 minutes in water and greasing the bottom with a bit of oil or spray.  Sprinkle the interior of the clay baker with the included corn meal and pop the dough right in. Empty the water from the lid of the clay baker and place it on top of the clay baker.  Place it in a cold oven and set it to 450 degrees and cook for 30 minutes.  Don't peek! After 30 minutes use your oven mitts and remove the clay baker and place the top on a dry kitchen towel. Reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees and bake uncovered for an additional 50-60 minutes.  Remove bread from clay baker and place on rack to cool for the prescribed time before cutting.  Anywhere from 4-12 hours depending on the receipe. This allows the crust to develop properly.  Soon you will have a delicious artisan bread  that will rival your favorite bakery, only at a fraction of the cost.  Mine came out really delicious...both loaves.  My daughter's friend said they totally looked like a loaf from Pan**a Bakery.  That was a real compliment to me!  You can easily earn some major bragging rights that you made these mouth-watering  breads yourself just like I did!  Pretty impressive, right? 

NY Deli Rye Ready to Bake

Just finished baking NY Deli Rye

Cooling on the rack

A few extra tidbits that you might appreciate like I sure did about Mill City Bread Co. 

• cartons are recyclable and are made from 100% recycled paperboard.
• cartons are made using 100% wind energy!
• All mixes are packaged by individuals with disabilities at a nonprofit organization empowering nearly 2,000 people each year to achieve greater independence through employment.

 Visit their site and see all the great bread mixes and supplies they have available. Have some fun with it and let me know how your breads come out.

Post Cocoa Pebbles Crowdtap Sampling

Disclaimer: I received samples of Post Cocoa Pebbles complimentary through Crowdtap. df6750d3d7897e31bb6abb6d680fb1a44ee7a75e00cda08050

I was intrigued to be chosen to evaluate some new formulations of Post Cocoa Pebbles through Crowdtap recently.  I was sent to huge boxes of Cocoa Pebbles coded with two different labels.  My familie's task:   Determine if we had a preference for one versus the other.  

We had to evaluate a variety of aspects of each cereal when we sampled it. My child was the primary opinion provider but we all contributed and were permitted to share our opinions.  It was fun to try to guess the differences based on color, flavor, sweetness, crispness in milk and such.  

We definitely had a preference between the two but we actually liked both boxes. I preferred the one that seemed less sweet and had a lighter chocolate flavor. My child liked the sweeter one...go figure!  Hubby was just happy for the chance to try a fun cereal...he likes to grumble when I steer him to the high fiber cereals.  

You should check out CocoaPebbles...it is a fun cereal that is also gluten-free.  Don't forget all those chocolate crispy treats you can make with it too!  

Valentines Day: Les Cinq Amandes Artisanal Confections and Gifts For Any Occasion

Disclaimer:  I received samples from Les Cinq Amandes complimentary. Regardless, I only share my personal experiences and what content I think will be helpful for my readers.  As always, my opinions are my own.

@brandbacker @TheFiveAlmonds

There are so many celebrations and gift giving occasions that that challenge you to find that special something. Weddings and bridal showers, birthday and anniversary parties, business and personal gifts for Christmas, Valentine's Day and other holidays just need something more than just "a gift."  When you have a momentous occasion, or even that special someone you are considering, you want the absolute best gift.  Les Cinq Amandes (The Five Almonds) provides you with an opportunity to choose luxury candies and sweet gifts at your leisure and they will be delivered right to your doorstep.  

 

In 2007, Les Cinq Amandes was created by a mother daughter team in Stamford, Connecticut to provide extraordinary sweets for all those special occasions in your life.  They derived the name from the old European aristocratic tradition of gifting guests 5 confectionary almonds at weddings and other special occasions. Those five almonds symbolized wishes for happiness, health, wealth, longevity and Fertility.  Les Cinq Amandes updated and modernized the tradition and renewed the set of wishes to Peace, Health, Happiness, Long Life and Love. What could be sweeter than that?    

 

Les Cinq Amandes has procured the absolute best sugared almonds and candies from around the world.  They tasted their way around the globe to find the best and the highest quality almonds. Their top three varieties include the Grand Cru Avola, the Royal Limited Edition Spanish and the Lerida Finesse almonds.  Any combination makes a lovely and unique gift for that special someone.  Choosing the color combinations and flavors is so much fun too.  

Les Cinq Amandes interactive website is set up to allow you to create the absolute perfect custom gift for any special occasion. You choose your almonds, the flavors and the colors.  Your imagination is your best guide. You can include additional luxuries like Fruit Dragées, Specialty Dragées, Nut Dragées, Chocolate Dragées, Mini Pearl Dragées, Chic Caramels, Magical Meringue and even Artisinal Hand Painted Chocolates.  You can also choose Crystallized Petals, Leaves and Pearls. You can even choose the perfect packaging for your special gift or favors.  All of Les Cinq Amandes wraps and packages are just gorgeous as you can see so it is a matter of your own personal preference.

I adore that Les Cinq Amandes provides such a completely personalized gift giving experience.  The artisinal quality is apparent in the photos but you just must taste their sweets to know how truly delicious they are as well.  Any gift from Les Cinq Amandes would be a wonderful treat for Christmas, Valentines Day or any special occasion.  These will be the perfect choice for party favors at your next special event for 50 or 500.  The most delightful surprise for any guest.   

Right now Les Cinq Amandes is offering a 10% discount (HOLIDAY10) to help make your gift giving easier this holiday season.  The timing couldn't be more perfect! The fact that they offer complimentary ground shipping for orders $79 and up makes it even easier.  

You can find them on Facebook and Twitter. I love to follow my favorites on social networks since you always get the inside scoop on specials and updates first.