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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Pipeline Pizza - A Restaurant.com #ReviewCrew Review

 As a member of the Restaurant.com #ReviewCrew I was compensated for this review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are honest and 100% my own. 

A few weeks ago Chris and I decided that we wanted to try out a new restaurant; we hopped onto Restaurant.com to see what we could find. Pipeline Pizza wasn't too far from home and pizza sounded good so we purchased a $15 Restaurant.com gift code for just a few bucks and headed out.


When we arrived, I realized that Pipeline was a brand new place - I was even more eager to try it out then! Once inside, we were greeted by friendly counter staff who helped us with the ordering process. There are menus inside the door - you just order at the counter and choose a seat. Easy peasy. Below is a shot of the menu - it's not the greatest but I wanted to show y'all all of Pipeline Pizza's offerings. You can also view their full menu online


We started off our meal with the buffalo wings - Chris' choice ;) Now I'm a fan of wings, but I'm also pretty picky about the flavor and texture also. I can tell you that these were spot on. Trust me when I tell you that I fought for my fair share!


I was craving a salad so I ordered a caesar, my favorite. You might be thinking - "a salad is a salad right?" Well, kind of. The thing that stood about this salad for me was the dressing. It tasted house made - so much so that we asked our server about it. We were disappointed when he informed us that it was not and even more so when he wouldn't tell us where we could find it! 


I chose this Italian Special Sandwich as my main entree. It was loaded down with meats and vegetables and cheese. You guys, it was amazing - fresh, crunchy, with just the right flavors! It was also giant! I only ate half and saved the rest for lunch the following day! 


Chris went with the Chicken Parmesan - one of his favorite meals. This plate was giant; two large pieces of chicken over noodles topped with sauce and a meatball! The chicken was breaded and cooked perfectly with just the right crunch. I hate it when I get a chicken parmesan that is a little soggy! The garlic bread was pretty awesome too.


Between the ambiance, great service, and delicious food - we were really impressed with Pipeline Pizza. Beyond that, the prices were amazing. I'm a little sad that we now live clear on the other side of town from this little gem. If you live in the Houston area, you should definitely look them up! 


Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source connecting restaurants and diners nationwide.  The company offers savings at thousands of restaurants nationwide with more than 50,000 gift certificate options.  Restaurant.com brings people together to relax, converse and enjoy well-prepared and served meals at affordable prices.  To date, Restaurant.com customers have saved more than $1 billion through the gift certificate program.”
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{This month's advertisement}

New Febreze Sleep Serenity Line (Plus A Giveaway!)

This is a sponsored post by me on behalf of Febreze. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

In my house we're crazy about scents. Any time we cross paths with candles (or something similar) the entire family feels the need to stop and catch a whiff. Many times we've gotten distracted in the home fragrance aisle of our local grocery store and all you hear from us is "mmm!" or "ooo!" Yea - I never claimed that we were normal. 


Recently I received an invitation to try out the new Febreze Sleep Serenity collection. Naturally I was excited to test the new products and so was my other half! He is a little "Febreze Happy!" When the package arrived on our door step we ripped into it! We found a bedroom mist, a bedside diffuser, a bedroom diffuser, and bedding refresher! 

What is Febreze Sleep Serenity?

"The Sleep Serenity collection is the latest product innovation from Febreze, designed specifically for the bedroom. Its calming scents help create a soothing bedtime atmosphere ideal for relaxation and a more peaceful night's rest."

How does it work?

"The Sleep Serenity line is the first scent developed by Febreze for the bedroom, and features advanced technology that eliminates odor and fills the bedroom with long-lasting, relaxing scents."


The Febreze Sleep Serenity collection comes in three scents: Moonlit Lavender, Warm Milk & Honey, and Quiet Jasmine. We put the Moonlit Lavender bedside diffuser in the kiddos' bathroom which is also connected to their bedroom. The smell was soft and fragrant and just strong enough that it drifted from their bathroom into their bedroom. Our bedroom mist in Warm Milk & Honey is already gone because we loved it so much! Chris sprayed just about everything in site on a daily basis, but I can't blame him. The warm comforting smell is my favorite! 

My family has been so impressed with the Febreze Sleep Serenity Collection that I have decided to give away a prize pack to one of you! One lucky reader will receive four full size products in Warm Milk & Honey - my favorite scent from the line!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more information on the entire Febreze product line visit them on their website or facebook page
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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Life Update ~ Where I"m At Now

I've been quiet lately and y'all know what that typically means. I've got something on my mind. I've got a story to tell - something personal. I've been pondering on what and how much to share. I've gone back and forth over the details trying to decide on how much is too much - something I know a lot of bloggers struggle with. I tend to not share a lot about my relationships on this space; before now it has been because I really didn't have much to say. Now, I"m being protective over what is mine. I know that for me, I can't keep writing here without telling this portion of my story. 

In October of 2012 I wrote a post about taking a trip down memory lane. A lot of you didn't understand what it was about because I was very vague. Today, I'm going to explain that post & so much more. 

In 2006 I fell in love with a man that I have now known for 16 years. At the time, we had been friends for almost 10 years - really we were more like family. Falling in love with Christopher was completely unexpected - he likes to joke with me that "I never saw it coming!" He is right - I didn't! He texted me out of the blue one night and asked me when I was going to let him take me to dinner - it was so random! I put our dinner date off but invited him to come over and watch a movie a few days later. I fell in love with him that night; he showed  me a side of himself that I'd never seen before. He showed me his heart and how much he cared for me with just a few simple words - he was so honest and sincere. I was a total goner right then and there. 

We eventually made it to that dinner date and 7+ years later I can still point out the table at that Chili's where we ate that night. I can still remember so many of our firsts as a couple - our first kiss, our first Christmas, fireworks on New Year's Eve (he is such a pyro), our 21st (his) and 22nd (mine) birthdays (we're both January babies and there is a damn good story behind his 21st!). We had so many fun times while we were together.

Things between us moved very quickly but being that we'd known each other for so long we really weren't concerned. Besides, we were young and in love and well, you know how that goes! We dated for awhile but then mistakes were made and misunderstandings happened and we went our separate ways. We were both brokenhearted but too stubborn to make amends.

A little time passed and I found out that I was pregnant with Chris' baby and that he was leaving for the military. For a long time I thought that this is where our story would end - but it didn't. I like to say now that someone just pushed pause on my heart.  

I tried to move on with my life and to outsiders looking in - I did. I got married, I had a second child. I lived my life and I pretended to be happy as best I could. However, I never could get Chris off of my mind. I missed him terribly almost all of the time and just when I thought I could stop thinking about him - something would creep in that would remind me of the love we shared. 

The post I wrote in October of last year was about Chris. We started dating in the Fall and ever since our separation that time of year tends to bring me down. I wrote that post because I was missing him and reminiscing over memories made and the things that we shared. I had my little break down moment, picked up the pieces and kept moving forward. 

August 11, 2013

I get a random-out of the blue-completely unexpected facebook message from Chris (YAY FB!). My jaw hit the ground, for real, but that is besides the point. We spent hours, days, and weeks talking and texting back and forth. He was in the process of moving back to Texas after getting out of the army. We decided that we had to see each other immediately and once he got into town, that is exactly what we did. My nerves were so bad that day and I found out later that he had been extremely nervous too. We hadn't seen each other in a long time and even though we still felt really connected to one another we were afraid it would be different in person. All of those nerves were for nothing! The moment we laid eyes on each other it was as if we'd never been apart - and we've been inseparable ever since. If you follow me on instagram or facebook you've probably seen pictures of us and you may have been wondering who this hunky guy is..


So - now you know - that sexy man on my arm is Chris. He is the love of my life - my best friend and my soul mate. My heart is so full of happiness and joy that some days I look around and wonder if this is really my life. I have everything I've ever wanted and I honestly never thought that we would get back to this place. We are building our lives together and the feeling is indescribable. I have the man of my dreams, my daughter has her Daddy, and James has a man in his life whom he looks up to and cherishes. 








Life isn't perfect folks, mine certainly isn't - for a long time I thought I'd have to live forever with my regrets and the consequences that came along with them. I was jaded. While I still have plenty of what ifs in my head, I also have restored faith.

"Good things come to those who wait."  

"If you love someone, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."  

"True love never fails."

No, this isn't every detail of our story - there is still plenty that I've kept to myself - but what I wanted y'all to know is this: 
I'm in love and I"m happier than I've ever been. 


"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."  
- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights


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Sunday, December 22, 2013

We Are A #CartersFam #MC

“I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Carter’s. I received a gift card to facilitate my shopping trip and to thank me for participating.”

When I think of Carter's, I immediately think BABY. It seems like when my daughter was a newborn, every piece of clothing she had was Carter's brand (and she had a lot!). 

I've purchased a lot of Carter's over the years, not only for my daughter, but for my son as well. Their clothing has always been functional, durable, and stylish for the little ones. However, as my children have gotten a bit older (4 and 6) the Carter's brand sort of slipped my mind. To be honest, I didn't even know that their clothing line went all the way up to a size 7. I had no idea that I could still buy clothing for my children from a Carter's store

On top of that, I'd never even been into an actual Carter's store. I've always purchased the brand from other retailers (and the kids received a lot of Carter's gifts as well). One of the requirements of participating in this campaign was the ability to shop in store. Wouldn't you know it - there is a Carter's located 1.4 miles from my house! I had no idea! Of course, I did just move back to this area recently, but I was still surprised! 

Earlier this week, I, along with my better half went into our local Carter's to see what we could find for our kiddos. We were really excited to see such a great selection in our kids' sizes! The many clearance racks and huge sale that was going on was a total bonus! There were a ton of 50% off racks! That's what I'm talking about! 



For less then $100 we scooped up 3 pajama sets, a dress, a tunic, a button up shirt, a pair of boots, and some bracelets. Our Carter's shopping experience was fun and easy - the store was well organized and was staffed with friendly workers. Of course the best part was that we found high quality, affordable, and cute clothing for our children. We'll definitely be back! 

"Carter’s, a trusted name in children’s clothing, makes it easy to find cute and thoughtful gifts for little ones this holiday season. Available in sizes newborn – 7, Carter’s proves an easy, one-stop shop for adorable outfits this holiday season."

Now through Christmas eve you can shop in store or online and take an extra 25% off your purchase with the Carter's Friends & Family Event! Use the coupon code in the picture below (online) or click on it to download the coupon to your phone or computer for in store use! 



Do you or have you ever shopped at Carter's?

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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide - Brought To You By Restaurant.com !

This is a sponsored post by me on behalf of Restaurant.com. All opinions are my own.

Confession Time! As much as I like to cook at home - I like to eat out just as much - and I know I'm not alone on that right? However, I'm super cheap and dining out can get expensive. Unless you take advantage of the awesome deals at Restaurant.com! Since I started using their site I've saved a ton of money eating out and I've had the opportunity to try out some new places. 

Confession #2: I'm the world's greatest procrastinator and I'm totally behind on purchasing Christmas gifts for friends and family. 

Restaurant.com to the rescue again (score!)

Below you will find an amazing gift guide provided by the wonderful folks at Restaurant.com. If you haven't tried them out yet - you are missing out! 


BUNDLE UP WITH RESTAURANT.COM’S 
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
DELICIOUS IDEAS FOR EVERY BUDGET!


At Restaurant.com, the nation’s largest dining deals site, we love surprising our diners with fun ways to save. This holiday season, we’ve handpicked delicious dining experiences and gift ideas for every budget and compiled them into an exclusive Restaurant.com Holiday Gift Guide. Simply pair any Restaurant.com Gift Card with one of these gift bundle ideas below for the ultimate dining experience and holiday treat:

1. The Movie Buff: For the movie-quoting, obsessed friend, surprise them with two tickets to a movie on their must-see “Oscar” list and a $25 Restaurant.com Gift Card. Enjoy a night of appetizers and plot-dissecting debates! Ready to splurge? Stop at the concession stand for some candy, drinks, and a jumbo popcorn to share! Create your own >>

2. The Workaholic: To help someone on your list find much needed tranquility, pair a $100 Restaurant.com Gift Card with soothing bath salts, lavender mist, and a face mask to create an affordable, at-home spa treatment. Ready to splurge? Add a spa gift card and make Dinner reservations for a nice, relaxing evening post-massage. Create your own >>

3. The Wine Fanatic: Bring Napa Valley to every wine lover on your list! Pair their favorite wine with decadent cheeses, crackers, and of course chocolate. Then, cleanse their palate with some late night dessert and a $25 Restaurant.com Gift Card. Ready to splurge? Instead of dessert, make it dinner and BYOB at thousands of Restaurants nearby! Create your own >>

4. The Romantic: Add some romance into your holiday with a $50 Restaurant.com Gift Card, bouquet of roses, some irresistible chocolate covered strawberries, and a candlelit dinner for two. Ready to splurge? Pick up some bubbly on the way home for a classy touch. Create your own >>

5. The Theatre Lover: Add some dramatic flair to the holidays with two tickets to their must-see show and end the evening with our $100 Restaurant.com Gift Card - perfect for dinner and dessert. Ready to splurge? Buy them a memento from the show and two drinks during intermission! Create your own >>

Be sure to check out Specials by Restaurant.com for more shopping ideas!

Keep up with Restaurant.com on social media!



About Restaurant.com:

The only thing better than going out for a great meal, is getting a great deal. Restaurant.com is your destination for dining whether you like to plan ahead or find a meal on the fly. We love restaurants as much as you do; that’s why we’ve been helping them fill tables since 1999. Restaurant.com helps you discover the perfect dining experience and boasts nearly 50,000 dining deals available every day to use anytime hunger strikes, even on the weekends! And, the deals are easy to use - present your certificate to the server on your mobile phone, or bring a printed copy, and voilĂ  – the savings will appear on your final bill.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

What's Your Healthy? #AetnaMyHealthy

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Aetna. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Aetna recently completed a survey of 1,800 Americans as part of their “What’s Your Healthy?” campaign looking at exercise, diet, stress management and technology usage. The study asked, “how do you define healthy?” and delved into how Americans are working to achieve their health goals. 

Why is Aetna asking you what's your healthy? Because we want to help you be a healthier you. So no matter what your healthy is, Aetna can help support you with the right tools, innovations and experience.

Visit WhatsYourHealthy.Com for helpful resources and inspiration on healthy living and to learn how others define "healthy." Did you know that most people responded that given an extra hour in their day that they would spend it on fitness? I know I would! That or sleep! 

Aetna also has a mobile app - CarePass - which allows you to connect all of your health & fitness apps and therefore be better equipped to reaching your goals. Programs like FitBit, RunKeeper, MapMyFitness, and GoodRx work well with CarePass. 


If you want more wellness tips or help choosing a plan for your health you can visit planforyourhealth.com.

How would you define healthy? 
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Weight Loss Update

Well, it's not Wednesday, but given the fact that it was last April when I last did a "weigh in" here on the blog I figured you guys would overlook that little detail. 



At my last documented weigh in I was at just over 202 pounds. At my highest (non pregnancy) weight I was 207 pounds. I was fluctuating, up and down, up and down - and it seemed like it would never end. I was frustrated

So, I took a little break. I quit checking in on here - I quit logging my food on MyFitnessPal. I quit eating right and exercising. I quit and my weight kept fluctuating.

Four and half months ago I left my husband and my unhappy marriage of 7 years. In those few months I've dropped 17 pounds without even trying. I'm not trying to blame my weight issues on my ex or my marriage - but when you are unhappy - it's really easy to give up and quit.

17 pounds y'all! I'm excited, I feel good, and my clothes are fitting better! However, in my eyes, I still have a long way to go. I'm headed down to the gym here in a bit which will mark the 3rd time this week (GO ME!) and I'm proud of that. 

As a side note - it's so beneficial to have someone who is supportive of you and your goals. It's made all the difference for me. So find someone who has your back - a friend who can cheer you on! 

I plan on updating this portion of the blog more regularly, so y'all stay tuned! 
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