What Do You Think Wednesday - October Stork Stack

You know from my previous reviews that I love my Stork Stack.  To me it is completely worth the money.  ($28.00 a month)  The amount of things you receive in the box always surpasses that amount.  This was my 3rd month receiving this subscription.  Not my favorite month but still had some cute things in it.  The picture posted above is from their website because my camera is not working.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't receive the card that lists all the items, descriptions and cost.  However, a few days after receiving the package, I did get an email from Stork Stack containing the information.  The theme for this month was Imaginative Play.  So here is what was included in the box this month:

- North American Bear Co. -- Tinie Dinies $12.00

- Box Play for Kids -- Caterpillar  $5.00

- Harmonica Pocket CD - Apple Apple $14.00

- Green Toys - Twist Teether $10.99

- 2 KIND Healthy Snacks - KIND Bar $3.78  ($1.89 / bar)

Total Value of Box:  $45.77

All In All:   My daughter who is 11 month old did not like this box as much as the last two either.  But Stork Stack is still by far my absolute favorite monthly box.  I also am subscribed to Bluum Box, which is $12.00 a month, but their products are not nearly as great as Stork Stack.   Again I have to give them praise because they are the ONLY monthly subscription that I actually receive on or about the 1st of the month.  This is a great service...check them out here.

Tasty Tuesday - Caramel Apple Cupcakes

I haven't tried these yet but they are on my to-do list.  I think they look adorable and they have gotten great reviews.  The recipes comes straight from Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) spice cake mix or 1 package (18 ounces) carrot cake mix
• 2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 20 Werther's® Original Chewy Caramels
• 3 tablespoons 2% milk
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
• 12 Popsicle sticks

Directions

• Prepare cake batter according to package directions; fold in apples.
• Fill 12 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a small saucepan, cook the caramels and milk over low heat until smooth. Spread over cupcakes. Sprinkle with pecans. Insert a wooden stick into the center of each cupcake. Yield: 1 dozen.

Make It Monday - Black Tutu (Skunk Costume Part 2)

Making your own tutu skirt is inexpensive and easy to do.  All you need are the following things:

- Tulle any color you would like.  For my costume I am using black.
- Crochet headband
- Scissors

You 1st want to put your crochet headband around something round so it is easier to see the holes.  I used a small trashcan.  Then you want to cut your tulle into strips.  I made mine 2" wide by 12" long.  Keep in mind that the length is going to be cut in half because we are folding it.  I only wanted mine to be 6" long so I doubled that amount to get the length.

Once you have cut the strips and I believe I used about 80 pieces for two layers.  You want to start on the bottom row of holes.  Fold a strip of tulle in half and pull through the hole.  Here is how you want to make the loop.  (from http://www.skiptomylou.org)

Continue doing this all around until you have all the holes covered.  You then want to do the holes in the row right above the 1st layer.  You can continue up the headband as far as you want.

When you have the look you want you are finished.  You can do more than one color...the possibilities are endless!

Thrifty Thursday - "The Original" Dish Drying Mat

Usually on Thursdays I have a coupon code to save you some money.  But today, I have a product that is going to save you money!  On a usual trip to get paper towels I spend about $14.99.  Well this is going to change now because I received an Original Dish Drying Mat in my Naturals VoxBox from Influenster complimentary for testing purposes.  I am in love with this product.  Instead of placing about 10 paper towels underneath my dishes right after I wash them, I place the dish drying mat under and this puppy soaks up 4 times its own weight!  I wash my dishes, place them on the mat, come back in 15 minutes and they have drip dried themselves right on the mat.

You can purchase this at Bed Bath & Beyond for $4.99 but you can always use one of those 20% off coupons that come in the mail saving you about $1.00.  Well worth is because I have noticed that I am using less paper towels which saves me money & causes less trash making it a green product idea!!!

What Do You Think Wednesday - LypSyl Intense Protection LypMoisturizer

I received a LypSyl lip balm in my Naturals VoxBox from Influenster a few weeks ago complimentary for testing purposes.  I have been addicted to it ever since.  When they say "deep penetrating moisture"  they mean it.  I hate when lip balms feel great when first applied but then within the hour you need to reapply.  This lip balm lasts for hours!!!!  It is crazy how long it lasts.  It is made with organic shea butter, pure vitamins A & E, and coconut oil.  It is also made of pure Swedish beeswax.  Another bonus is it is not tested on animals.

And how stinkin' cute is this bee slider to slide the balm up and down?  Too cute!  Check them out here on their website.

All In All:  This retails for around $3.00 and is worth every penny.  With winter around the corner, I will have this on hand at all times for those chapped lips.  I usually use Burt's Bees lip balm which I love...but this is my new favorite.  It  has a minty flavor just like the Burt's Bees but I have to say it is way more moisturizing then them!!!  Go and purchase this balm asap...you are going to LOVE it!!!

Tasty Tuesday - Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

With the nice fall weather, I always bring out my crock pot for some nice hearty meals.  I found this recipe on Allrecipes.  Here are the directions:


Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
Directions

Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

Here is the direct link to the recipe including review.  Click Here

Make It Monday - Skunk Headband (Skunk Costume Part #1)

This year is my daughter 1st Halloween and I decided to make her costume.  We call her our "Little Stinker" so she is going to be a skunk.  Each week I will be showing a different part of the costume until it is complete.  This week I am going to show how I made the headband.

Here is what you will need:

 1 - Pre-made Black & White feather pad

1- Black headband

1 - Black piece of felt cut into a teardrop shape

1 - Pink Feather embellishment

1 - Hot glue gun

Here are the instructions on how to make this simple fabulous headband:

 1.  Flip over the feather pad and have your hot glue gun preheated and ready to go.  

 2.  Place a little drop of hot glue at the tip of the feather pad.  Place your headband on top of the glue.  Run a strip of hot glue straight down the middle of the feather pad and glue the rest of the headband to the pad.

 3.  Place hot glue all over the rest of the black pad.  Place the piece of felt that we cut into a teardrop shape onto of the feather pad.  This will hide the glue and the headband making it look nice and neat.

This is what you should see from under the headband.

To add a little bit of color and bling to the headband...I got this hot pink embellishment.

4.  Place hot glue on the back of the embellishment and place on top of the black & white feathers.  

5.  Let dry.

Finished project on my daughter!  So cute!