Fall Fun Giveaway Hop: $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

Thank you for stopping by the Fall Fun giveaway hop
hosted by The Anti-June Cleaver and Our Piece of Earth.

Happy Fall, y'all! I have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you a variety of giveaways (and prizes - woohoo!) to make your fall super fun! After you have entered a giveaway visit the linky at the bottom of each post to visit the other blogs and take the time to enter to win all kinds of goodies. Plus, don't miss your chance to win the dual grand prize for this event for the kiddos sponsored by Little Tikes!

You may be wondering, what I am giving away on my blog? In celebration of the fall season and all things fall, I'm giving one lucky reader $50 cold-hard-cash... okay, well, it may come in the form of a Visa Gift Card but it'll spend the same!

Want to enter to win? Use the giveaway tools form below!

Entry-Form

The Anti-June Cleaver, Our Piece of Earth, and the rest of the bloggers participating in the Fall Fun giveaway hop are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Don't forget to enter all the other awesome giveaways listed below:

 

Chocolate Drenched Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Ever had one of those days when everything just goes wrong? Those days when you just want a piece of chocolate cake, a long bath, a glass of wine, or whatever tickles your fancy? Well, I had one of those days last week and instead of wallowing away on the couch, I baked my frustrations out and this Chocolate Drenched Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an other-worldly concoction of goodness, created with the items I happened to have in my pantry and a chocolate craving that just wouldn't go away...

So my advice, when you're craving chocolate cake, but don't want it to go straight to your hips or when you're just not feeling yourself, making something like this Chocolate Drenched Chocolate Chip Banana Bread may be just the thing you need.

Ingredients:
4 eggs
3 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup local honey
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 cups gluten-free baking flour blend
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (+ a handful for the top of the bread)
2 tbsp chocolate syrup

You'll want to begin by preheating the oven to 350.

In a bowl, mix together the eggs, bananas, honey, almond milk, and vanilla with a beater. Once thoroughly mixed, add in baking soda, flour blend, sea salt, brown sugar and cinnamon and beat until completely mixed.

Add in chocolate chips and stir gently.

Pour batter in bread pan and add a line of chocolate chips on the top, I had some leftover baking chocolate that I added to the top but you can just use chocolate chips.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.

Let cool for a few minutes and then serve! This "dessert" is so tasty, I like to eat it for breakfast sometimes and on occasion, I'll have a slice or two for lunch! I know I brag about all of my recipes, but I promise you guys - this one takes the cake!

Do you have a favorite "healthy" dessert? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Things NOT to Say to a Couple Trying to Conceive

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

Trying to conceive is a fun experience, as most adults know... but when you've been trying for a while- there are just some things that people with infertility have to deal with that other people don't. When you're struggling to understand why body parts that should be working aren't working perfectly, it's a complicated thing to explain.

If you've been on the internet lately, you may have heard about the woman's sonogram post going viral on facebook. In the post, she reveals that she isn't pregnant and she talks about the reasons people should stop asking other people about having children.

Unlike most viral posts now-a-days, I actually agree with most of what she said, like you shouldn't assume that the young married couple who's been together for a while just isn't trying.

The main reason I agree with this statement, is probably pretty obvious: That couple is us, married at 19 & 21, together since high school,  no kids yet but remaining hopeful and still trying! So when a complete stranger asks when we plan on having kids, I'm not sure whether I should let the tears well up in my eyes and tell them our story and what our doctor is saying. Should I reveal that we are using a sperm-friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC™? Should I go into the details about how the lubricant helps sperm travel? Should I share how I'm already taking prenatals to help up our chances?

Should I tell them all about our journey thus far or should I just smile and say "someday soon"? Either way, I'm left in the middle of a store, a church, a family function, or wherever the stranger  asks with the aching reminder of what I don't have yet... so yes, please stop asking strangers when or if they are going to have children, it's just not okay.

On that note, I wanted to share a few other things not to say to someone who is trying to conceive:

1. "Oh, just relax!" may possibly be the worst thing to say to someone who is TTC. While it may be decent, honest advice - it appears as if you don't grasp the concept of medical issues. Relaxing is a great thing to do but please don't tell me that all I need to do is relax and it'll happen. I've relaxed and relaxed and then relaxed some more and I'm certain that a lack of relaxing isn't the reason we haven't conceived...

2. "We got pregnant without even trying..." and I'm so happy for you, but please don't rub it in. It may sound selfish to have a list of things not to say to me, but this is truly one that I am sick of hearing and it must stop today. If you're expressing a statement in response to a question, then by all means reveal your conception story - otherwise, keep it to yourself, please.

3. "I'm so fertile, I...", anything following this statement is just not cool. While I'm happy for all of those that aren't struggling with infertility, no one with the inability to do something wants to hear about your ability to do it. Consider walking over to someone in a wheelchair and saying, I'm so fast, I could run a million miles and my legs would still work. This is about the equivalent of expressing how fertile you are to someone who may not be as lucky as you.

4. "In God's Time...", while I understand that this is supposed to be comforting - it's simply not. What if someone told you that God was responsible for the most painful experience in your life, that's basically what's implied when something is said along these lines. Babies are a blessing, I totally agree, but let's not blame the man above for me not being able to get pregnant, it may be in his time, but let's just not say anything so offensive when someone is dealing with infertility.

Now that I've shared a few things NOT to say to us guys and gals on the TTC team, I'd love to hear the worst piece of TTC (or parenting) advice you've ever gotten... because sometimes bad advice is so bad, it's good. Tell me all about that tid-bit of advice in the comments below!


Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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Super Simple + Saucy Adobo Apricot BBQ Chicken

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeClean #CollectiveBias

Making yummy food for game day is something that I always strive to do, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't... Whether the recipe I prepare pans out or not, it does usually mean I have a pretty big mess in the kitchen!

From accidentally slopping some sauce on my counter while trying to get it out of the jar to sticky bbq sauce covered hands coming in to grab another beer out of my fridge, I'm always battling the mess! Luckily, I have Viva® Vantage® Towels to "play defense" for me during my game day adventures with the boys! With super stretchy-strength to deliver great scrubbing power, I'm able to clean up every mess in the house and more!

So I guess I should warn you, you may need a few rolls of paper towels. They're excellent at picking up messes and cleaning off hands and with this recipe, everyone in your house will be asking for something heavy duty to clean their hands with. I love that Viva® Vantage® are so soft they feel like cloth, yet so strong they won't rip or tear. So I warned you, this recipe is beyond delicious, but it does get a little messy... I mean BBQ chicken should be messy, otherwise it isn't really good... right?

While this recipe may have you reaching for the paper towels, it is so incredibly easy to make you'll wonder why you didn't think of it... it's so good, you'll be getting asked for the recipe all night long!

Want to make some Super Simple + Saucy Adobo Apricot BBQ Chicken for your football loving friends? While your at Walmart picking up supplies for game day you'll want to grab the three super simple ingredients to make this top-notch chicken recipe and my favorite product to help me clean!

You'll need:
A rotisserie chicken
A jar of apricot preserve
A can of Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (usually found in the Hispanic foods aisle)

Oh and don't forget the Viva® Vantage® Towels, found in the paper towel section at your local Walmart, to help handle the mess!

That's it, your shopping list is complete!
The prep for this meal is so simple, anyone can do it! If you're chicken is cold from being in the fridge, you'll start by placing the cold chicken in a pre-heated oven at about 350 for 20 minutes, or until warm.

While your chicken is in the oven, you'll want to add about 3/4 cup apricot preserve, 1/4 cup adobo chipotle peppers, and about a 1/4 cup of water to a food processor and blend until smooth.

Once the sauce is smooth and your chicken is warm, your set to start serving up your delicious dish. This is where things get messy, whether your pouring the sauce all over the entire rotisserie and then allowing your guests to grab what they want or tearing the chicken apart first and adding the sauce later - both ways your bound to get a little saucy. That's why you'll want Viva® Vantage® on hand for you and your friends!

So tell me, which team will you be cheering on next Sunday? What's your favorite food to serve to guests in the heat of the game? If you've been following the blog you know I'm a bucs fan, so we'll be eating this delicious and super quick chicken dish and cheering on the team that almost always loses... and we're okay with that, because our food is good and the company we keep is even better!

Game Day Gear for Girls: #MyNFLFanStyle

Shopping is one of my favorite things to do, followed closely by tailgating and going to live sporting events. I mean, what's better than a good time, with good friends, rooting on your team? Since Fall is here and I predict a few Buc's games on our agenda this season, I knew I needed to add some fashionable "buccaneer" gear to my closet... because, I mean, you can't cheer on your team without doing it in style, right?

So maybe I'm that girl. You know the one that likes to dress up for the game and strut her stuff while tailgating... Really, there's no shame in my game, I admit that I love to dress to impress! But sometimes I just want to wear jeans and there's no shame in that either, a majority the time I like to spice things up and show my girly-side though... But I may still be guilty of screaming at the ref for making the wrong call while wearing a mini-skirt. It's all about balance, ultimately, ya know?

Today I want to share SEVEN game-day ready looks, supporting the good ol' Bucs. Whether your a fan of the Buccaneers or not, these football fanatic looks are perfect for any girly girl going to the game... just add your favorite NFL gear and you're set for game day! Spice things up and cheer on the team while still showing your inner-fashionista!




Look 1: What's Red, Black, Grey & Striped all over?
This Bucs Fan! -

Grey + Black Striped Skirt || Red NFL Buccaneers t-shirt || Red tennis shoes

Look 2: Posh Pirate -

White Pants || Long Sleeve NFL Buccaneers shirt || White Pashmina || White wedges || Cat Eye Sunglasses

Look 3: Battle Gear for The Bucs -

Red Skirt || Long Sleeve NFL Buccaneers shirt || Gladiator Sandals

Look 4: She's Definitely a Buccaneer -

Red NFL Buccaneers T-shirt || Jeans || Handmade Red Feather Earrings || Red Tennis Shoes 

Look 5: Pretty in Pink & Black Pirate -

Black Shorts || Neon Pink Polo || NFL Buccaneers Breast Cancer Awareness Hoodie

Look 6: Yoga + Football Fanatic -

NFL Buccaneers Breast Cancer Awareness Hoodie || Grey V-neck Shirt || Yoga Pants

Look 7: Buccaneers Business Casual -

Khakis  || Long Sleeve NFL Buccaneers shirt || Red Tennis Shoes

Now that I've shared seven super awesome outfits, I'd love to hear how you dress up for game day? Plus, tell me which NFL team is your absolute favorite in the comments below! Have you seen the NFL video on how to style the perfect game day outfit? Follow NFLFanStyle on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram  get inspired today!

Oops, I did it again: Outfit of The Day from the Thrift Store! #OOTD #ThriftStoreFinds

Oh baby, baby...

Oh... Uh, wait, uhm, scratch that! No Britney Spears on the blog, pretty much ever, ladies and gents. But I did go thrift store shopping again and have to share the items I found, again!

Rather than post them all at once, I'm going to spread out these fabulous fall outfits through out the month of October. So if you're looking for fall fashion inspiration with a quirky twist, I suggest you follow along!

I know you're thinking this outfit is too cute to be secondhand. But you're incorrect... This little number is thrifted, from head to toe.

The white lace dress is so incredibly comfortable and the look is to die for. I think dresses like this are fairly common when shopping at the mall, but to find one while thrifting was such a score! 

The Vest is straight vintage, real leather, and a favorite new addition to my wardrobe! It's tag reads Carla NYC and after researching I think it may be an actual "designer" piece! It was hanging on the end of a rack without a hanger and I just grabbed it because I wanted to see hot it looked on me. Once I tried it on, I was in love and knew it would be coming home with me.

The shoes were a steal of a deal and could possibly be in competition for the best part of the outfit. With a beautiful yellow color and gold detail, these little babies are so fun - I was actually surprised to see them on the shelf at the store still, but I snagged them the second I did. Sofft is the brand name and after doing some research, I believe they probably came from Macy's originally and were hardly worn. Hooray for awesome hardly worn finds!

 || Dress: Thrifted - Bebop || Vest: Thrifted - Carla NYC ||
|| Shoes: Thrifted - Sofft || Necklace: Rue21 ||

I'd love to hear all about your favorite thrift store finds or just your favorite outfit in general! Leave me a comment below...

Redecorating? You'll Find Everything You Need (and more) at Big Lots!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ICantEven #BigLots #CollectiveBias

I like to consider myself an interior designer of sorts, but I've always loved finding an awesome bargain. Whether I'm searching for new pieces of wall art or looking for big pieces of furniture for the house, I like to find nice things for a steal of a deal. That's why when we were searching for a new place this summer, I knew I wanted a Big Lots nearby so it could be decorated well without breaking the bank. Luckily, we found the perfect house with a Big Lots only a few blocks away and since styles and assortment vary by store, I'm glad the location by us is an awesome one with a HUGE furniture department.

With one of my favorite stores within walking distance, I'm always finding awesome deals and grabbing new things for our place. Our fridge is stocked full of water from Big Lots, we snack on some of the awesome foods we find there, and we even redecorate on a regular basis with all of the adorable stuff I find there!

After we moved into the new place, I knew it was time to start redecorating with the help of Big Lots. Our house just wasn't feeling like us anymore and I wanted something more neutral and casual, yet still chic.

We've had an over sized ottoman for a few years now and while it's made an amazing table, I was ready to try something new. While I didn't go too far from the original concept, the open feel of this Espresso Ottoman from Big Lots is perfect. Plus, I get to decorate with little succulents and other pretty little things on the bottom part of the bench.

We also bought 6 pillows because they have an AMAZING deal on their home decor items right now and well, because I may be a bit of a pillow-lover. I stocked up on some of the most adorable designs, fluffy and modern - two things I need more of in my life. With frilly, fluffy pillows in cream and tan and a wonderful modern cream and tan printed pillow, I think I found the perfect neutral shades that blend perfectly with our home and our couch.

To add some nice little final touches on our living room makeover, I added a dreamy glass candle holder with a wonderful vanilla candle as well as a pot for succulents underneath - I have yet to plant the succulents but I think I'll work on that this week in between visits to Big Lots! I also added some wall decor and I'm still trying to decide on what to do with the rest of the walls in the room.

I've been going through stages with our living room and I was really unsure of what to do with all of  the wall space. I think I like the simplicity of the starburst mirrors and may add a canvas or two on the other wall and leave my simple, modern living room the way it is.

Now that I've shared how I completely redecorated our living room in one quick visit to Big Lots, I'd love to hear what you have your eye on at your Big Lots store? I'm thinking our next purchase will include one of the beautiful, detailed headboards they sell or maybe some more wall art for the rest of the house; with all of the items they carry, I never know what my next Big Lots inspired project will be! I'm so excited by the possibilities, I can't even...