Can you believe that it is mid-May already? Next weekend is already Memorial Weekend. Pretty soon, Father’s Day will be here too. You probably already have something in mind for the special dad in your life.  But if not, you might want to enter this giveaway (or maybe you want to anyway and make Father’s Day extra special).

I am participating in the Man Cave giveaway with several other bloggers for Father’s Day. You can win Paypal cash for your special guy. This giveway was put together by authors Lexie Lane and Becky McNeer. If you have not heard of them you will. They recently wrote a terrific book for bloggers and wanna be bloggers, The Blogger’s Survival Guide: Tips and Tricks for Parent Bloggers, Wordsmiths and Enthusiasts.

I purchased my copy recently and it has been very helpful. I wish I had read it before I started my blog because the information is nicely organized in one place. So, if you are thinking of starting a blog, or want to learn more about choosing a blogging platform, search engine optimization, and navigating through social media, this book is a great resource. If you are a seasoned blogger, this book has some great sections on creating site maps, posting CSS codes and monetizing your blog.

Now, back to the giveaway. We called this the Man Cave Giveaway so that some special Dads could receive some cash to fill up their man caves with whatever they want. Maybe some books, electronic gadgets or some frosty beverages? There will be three winners, so even if you do not win the big prize, you still have a chance at the next two.

Enter below and good luck!

The weather is getting warm here in Southern California. I love opening the windows and sitting outside in the backyard again. I am sprucing up my home for summer with the help of some frugal finds at Dollar Tree. These are some of the things I recenty discovered there.

I found these pretty mats, colorful stones and white rocks, all for $1 each.

There were also these candles and glass candle holders.

And this is what I did with them.

First I wrapped the glass containers with some burlap ribbon and secured them with hot glue. Then I  placed candles inside the holders.

I took the wrapped candles and set them on a long tray and added white rock to the tray.

I just love how they look and how easy they were to put together!

I made some other things with my dollar store finds, so be sure to follow my blog so you do not miss those posts.

I am sharing this here:

Do you decorate for summer?

Did you know that May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day? Not that I needed an excuse to make these delicious cookies, but it sure does not hurt right? I am making these because I have not baked cookies in a while.

These are really good by the way, my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe ever.

This recipe given to me by a sorority sister (are there any Gamma Phi Betas in the house?),  a very long time ago. Before smartphones, …before cell phones, …before email….see told you it was a long time ago. Anyway, these cookies are super delicious and worth trying.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 sticks butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together first 5 ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Gradually add dry ingredients (except chips) to the creamed mixture. Finally, add chocolate chips and combine.

Roll into 1″ balls onto greased or parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake 10 – 12 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy! Happy Chocolate Chip Day!

What kind of cookies are your favorites?

This spring has been a busy one for me. When I get busy, I am more likely to be tired and even a little cranky, as a result of stress. I have several methods that I have found help me to alleviate stress and feel more relaxed. This post is sponsored by Maui Excellent.

The Volcano Oil Gel ingredients: Deionized Water, Organic Aloe Vera, Pure Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Camphor, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Menthol, Spearmint, Vitamin E

Volcano Massage Oil Ingredients: Oils of Apricot Kernal, Sweet Almond, Safflower, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Canola, Macadamia Nut, Kukui Nut, Vitamins A & E, and Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Camphor, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Menthol, Spearmint, Tea Tree

The folks at Maui Excellent are going to give one of my readers a special prize  package of the two products shown below, valued at $25.98. 

This giveaway is for U.S. Residents only. You must be 18 to enter. You can also enter to win this prize package at the blogs below. Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a bottle of Volcano Oil and Volcano Oil Gel and this prize package for one of my readers from Maui Excellent. All opinions are my own.

For more chances to win, visit the other blogs below:

Recently, while in Los Angeles, we were looking for a place to grab a cocktail and a bite to eat. I especially enjoy going to cafes and restaurants that are not only great with their food preparation, but are fun as well. Having heard about 3 Twenty Wine Lounge, we decided to check it out.

You can tell that this lounge is different than most tapas bars the moment you walk in as there are automated wine stations when you enter. Owner and sommulier Edgar Poureshagh explained that he wanted to offer different concept to allow his customers to taste their offerings of boutique wines, without having to commit to an entire bottle. These are family-owned sustainably produced wines and there are 40 that you can choose from. These selections are rotated regularly.

We decided to begin our wine tasting journey with the help of the key card that allows you access to the tasting centers. The card operates like a vending key and tallys the wine tastings that are purchased. Tastings run from a couple of dollars to around $20. You can also order wines by the glass and bottle.

There are information cards on the various types of boutique wines.

After a few tastings we decided to order some tapas. 3 Twenty offers a nice menu of small plates/tapas.

We started with one of their specials that day, the Alsacienne flatbread with arugula and chili oil, which was very good.

Other items we tried include the skillet steak with blue compound butter (excellent),

the halibut with roasted tomatoes and capers (also very good).

Then we enjoyed the braised lamb chops with feta and herbs. These were some of the best tasting lamb chops I have ever had.

What is nice about the tapas menu is that you can easily share with others in your party.

3 Twenty Lounge also serves a variety of craft beers. I highly encourage you to check it out if you are in the area. The staff is very frendly and will help you with wine and menu selections.

 3 Twenty Wine lounge is a great place and I will be returning when I am back in LA.

3 Twenty Wine Lounge is located at

320 S La Brea
Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 932-9500

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for information on special events.

This is not a sponsored post, but an enjoyable restaurant that I wanted to share with you. I paid for my meal. All opinions are my own.

Today’s post is sponsored by the Goodies Co. If you need a last-minute shopping idea, I want to share with you a simple but thoughtful gift idea. My mother-in-law lives in another state so every year usually I send her a gift card or send flowers for Mother’s Day. But this year I wanted to do something different.

My mother-in-law is a wonderful woman. She has always been supportive and loving to my husband and I and our kids. She has never been judgemental and has helped us out with the kids for many years.  I know I am lucky and want to give her something more thoughtful. This year, I am sending her a Goodies Co. gift subscription. 

Here is how it works. Every month she will receive a Goodies Co. Taster’s Box and receive a monthly box of 5-8 snacks for only $7/month (includes shipping).  That is a great deal and so much better than the gift card, again. It also gives her a chance to taste some fun snacks to sample.

As I looked at their website to see their box items, I cannot help but think how great this gift is not only for a special Mom, but also a Dad for Father’s Day or a recent grad who is going off to college? I am always sending care packages to my son who is away at college and I know that he would love getting one of these in the mail each month.

Here is how you can gift a Goodies box:

1. Go to the Goodies Gifting page and select a plan {3 months, 6 months, or 12 months} by clicking on the corresponding button.
2. Enter the gift recipient and gift giver details.
3. Enter the gift recipient’s mailing address (please note: this is where they will receive the monthly boxes)
4. Enter the gift giver’s billing information.
5. Review order details and click on “place order”.

You are done and have sent a clever gift, now do something for you. You may even want to get one of these for yourself or your family.

Who do you know that would love one of these?

This post was sponsored by the Goodies Co. All opinions are my own.

Today I am participating in a little challenge with Sheryl from Lady Behind the Curtain. Every month she gives us two ingredients to work with and any bloggers that wish to participate have to develop a dessert recipe using those two ingredients. It is a fun way to try new combinations and you may recall that I had never used almond paste before the March dessert challenge and was delightfully happy with its flavor.

This month’s two flavors are lime and coconut. Now, of course the first thing that comes to my mind is the song, Put the Lime in the Coconut….if you do not know what I am talking about, then I am certainly older than you. I am not sure if this is where Sheryl got the idea, but regardless, here is my simple recipe for Lime & Coconut Cupcakes.

Lime & Coconut Cupcakes

1 box lemon cake mix

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup melted butter

2 eggs

2-3 drops food coloring (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cupcake pan with liners. Combine cake mix and other ingredients until well blended. Pour into cupcake pan and bake 16-18 minutes.

I topped these off with Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk

3 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter with an electric mixer on low speed.  Add sugar and milk slowly, by alternating.  Whip on medium – high speed until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes when cupcakes have cooled.

Then added toasted coconut.

If you have never toasted coconut, it is super easy. Over a medium high heat, put shredded coconut in a small skillet,

Swish the pan around, to flip the coconut.

This only takes a few minutes. Before you know it, the remaining will be fully toasted.

Remove from heat. Top frosted cupcakes with coconut.

 Top with a lime wedge and serve at your next spring gathering or barbecue.

This will relieve your belly ache….yes, I am playing the song while I make these.

Who remembers the song?

If you would like more information about this challenge, click on the button below.

For more recipes with this combination see what other bloggers whipped up below.

The other night I had an opportunity to check out the new Enoteca Lounge at Antonello Ristorante in conjunction with the OC Mom Blog Girls Night Out.  What a wonderful setting for an evening with friends. Come with me inside and discover this wonderful Italian Ristorante and Wine Bar.

The Enoteca lounge is an elegant room that features comfortable seating, plush fixtures and shelves and shelves of wine. As you can see there is a wonderful selection of wine and they offer a great choice of menu items.

This particular evening I had a chance to sample their freshly made potato chips,

and their wonderfully tasty italian prosciutto with marinated olives. The setting was very cozy and the service was very good. Not to mention the wines that I sampled were also delicious.

Next, I had a chance to sample a wonderful choice of Italian entrees. Owners Antonnio and Fiorella Cagnolo bring their culinary talents to this great Orange County restaurant. I especially loved their authentic meatballs, lasagna and octopus.

Of course their desserts are also very  good. I sampled their cheesecake and cannoli. Just check out the dessert sampler tray below.

During the week Antonello’s Enoteca lounge features entertainment. The music provides a nice relaxing vibe to the lounge.

The Enoteca Bar Menu offers small plates, starting at $5. Be sure to check out their website here for their special events.  You can also follow them on Facebook. Antonello Ristorante also offers private dining and cooking classes. I am adding those cooking classes on my list and am planning on coming back to visit their restaurant.

It is also located very close to the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Perfect for a pre-theater dinner or after show snack.

Antonello Ristorante is located at

1611 West Sunflower

Santa Ana, CA 92704

(714) 751-7153

I received a complementary visit to the event and this is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

What is your favorite Italian entree?