Introducing Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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If you thought you would never live to see the day when you could tell your thermostat what to do and it would respond, you were mistaken.  The ability to speak commands to control your climate is not as futuristic as you may think.  In fact, it is here now.  I am excited to tell you about Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control. This is the first of its kind on the market.  The Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control utilizes far-field voice-control technology, allowing it to break through the ambient noise of an activity filled home to carry out commands such as “make it four degrees warmer” or “make it much cooler” — even from across the room.

The thermostat immediately recognizes the homeowner’s voice upon installation, and adjusts the temperature setting based their commands. This is the first cloud-based solution and it will get smarter over time, with the ability to add more commands based on its interactions with the operator!

For those of you who are design sticklers, Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control allows customization to match your home decor. It also connets to WiFi, allowing consumers to regulate their climate and energy usage remotely. Users can control the thermostat via the Total Connect Comfort smart phone app – the top-rated thermostat app on Google Play™.

Honeywell’s Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control becomes available November 2013 at a suggested retail price of $349.

Visit Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control to learn more!

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HAPPY STARTS HERE™ – ALPO® Brand Dog Food

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ALPO® Brand Dog Food    for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are like me, your dogs are part of the family.  I wake up excited to see them every morning.  We have our routine, which consists of the beagle, Ripley, drooling at the sound of my alarm clock because he knows that it is breakfast time.  The Jack Russell, Bovie, heads straight to the back door, determined to rid our yard of any squirrels or small animals that may be invading his territory!   Then he can focus on breakfast.   As different as they are, ALPO® Wet dog food is a favorite in both of their books.  They love the taste, and I love that it is nutritionally sound.  It comes in a huge variety of flavors, which you can see for yourself at ALPO’S HOMEPAGE.  I have yet to find a flavor that my boys don’t inhale in seconds.

Here it straight from the mouths of dogs in this HAPPY STARTS HERE™ – ALPO® Brand Dog Food Video:

ALPO® Brand Dog Food provides high quality protein, essential vitamins and minerals and all the nutritional requirements for health and longevity.    They demand high quality, safety and manufacturing standartds from the suppliers of each of their ingredients.  You can rest assured that your dogs are getting what theydogs need good nutrtition for a healthy coat, strong bones and a happy life.  Stay tuned for some taste testing by my boys in the coming weeks, and join me in following ALPO’s Facebook Page for news and updates!

I would love to see photos of your beloved canines.  Do share.

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Best Ever German Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

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Best CupCake Recipes
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It happened.  I baked.  From scratch.  It is a first.  These German chocolate cupcakes turned out to be delicious.  There was a minor set back with the glaze and I had to improvise, but you would never know they weren’t exactly what they were supposed to be!  If you aren’t a baker and want to impress your friends with a culinary treat, this recipe is for you.  If your an experienced baker, add this to your arsenal.  You can’t go wrong with German chocolate, right?  This recipe is from Anne-Thornton at the Food Network, with a couple of happy accidents that made my recipe differ slightly!

german chocolate cake recipe

Ingredients
1 Chocolate Cake recipe (see below)
Glaze:
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (I bought a bar assuming it was 6 ounces and it was 4, so make sure)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon brewed coffee
Topping:
3 egg yolks
12 ounces evaporated milk
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups packed sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (if desired)
1 3/4 cups toasted pecans, chopped
Directions
You will need:  silver/foil-lined muffin cups, 1 (2-ounce) ice cream scoop and 1 (1/2-ounce) ice cream scoop
Make sure all of your topping ingredients are at room temperature, except for the shredded coconut which you should keep in the refrigerator or freezer just until needed.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular muffin pans with muffin cups.

Chocolate Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk (or 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together onto parchment paper. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 4 or 5 minutes. Add your eggs, 1 at a time, mixing until completely incorporated before adding each additional egg. Mix in the chocolate and vanilla, making sure to combine really well. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, in 3 batches, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Make sure to let it mix thoroughly.

Use a 2-ounce ice cream scoop and portion out the Chocolate Cake batter evenly into the muffin cups. Pop the pan in the oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes, turning the pans halfway through. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cupcakes comes out clean. Let the cupcakes completely cool in the pan on a rack.

For the glaze: Mix the cream, chocolate, honey and coffee in saucepan on low heat. Stir until smooth. Let it cool a bit.

For the topping: Put the egg yolks, evaporated milk, brown sugar and butter in a separate saucepan. Place it over medium heat and cook until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts. Continue cooking, stirring constantly until thick, 8 to 10 minutes or so.

Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, coconut and pecans. Allow to cool.

How to Make German Chocolate Cake Recipe

Dip the cooled cupcakes in the chocolate glaze. Place on the rack and let the glaze harden.


How to Make German Chocolate Cupcakes

Scoop the topping on the cupcakes with a heaping 1/2-ounce ice cream scoop.  Enjoy!!

 

Over 60 Things to Make From Paper

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Things To Make From Paper #diy #homedecor #upcycledjewelry @savedbyloves #papercrafts

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Is it just me, or do you all love paper to bits too? I switch mediums and techniques all the time, but paper is a constant. I don’t scrapbook, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at my studio. Piles and piles of decorative paper adorn the shelves, and don’t get me started on the stacks of magazines, newspapers and vintage sheet music. You don’t have to spend any money to make gorgeous jewelry and home decor if you go the recycled paper route. Check out some of my favorite diy paper projects, and share with me some of yours!


DIY Matchbox Business Card Holder

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Make a Matchbook business card holder @savedbyloves[pinit]

In preparation for SNAP! 2013, my very first blogging conference, it was time to update my business cards.  I haven’t gotten new ones since before Pinterest, and lots has changed here at SBLC since then.  Of course with new cards comes the need for a spiffy business card holder.  It needed to protect the cards, but more importantly, it need to be handmade and super cute.

Craft blog business card design

So here are the new cards.  I used this QR code generator, which quickly and easily (and for free) created a downloadable graphic that I opened in Photoshop and added to my design.  I ordered the high gloss cards from Vistaprint.

Saved By Love Creations Business Cards

Here they are close up.

Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die - Matchbook Set

To make them, I cut the matchbooks (using  Sizzix Movers & Shapers L Die – Matchbook Set) from grunge paper that I covered on both sides with scrapbook paper (adhered with Glossy Accents).

Mod Podge Satin

I coated the entire inside, outside and edges with Mod Podge satin finish to seal.  Let dry 3o minutes and applied 2nd coat, which I let dry overnight.

Make a Matchbook business card holder @savedbyloves

I punched a hole through the bottom flap and back cover on both sides for ribbon placement.

Make a Matchbook business card holder @savedbyloves

I put the ribbon through the holes and wrapped around the bottom flap and back, tying a knot on the left side (which is hidden under the flower).  I glued the flower in place with Fabri-Tac (it is like hot glue in a bottle, but not hot).

The cards slide under the bottom flap, and the top flap slides over the cards and under the bottom flap.

Make a Matchbook business card holder @savedbyloves

For the text, I stamped onto a tag with archival black ink, using my rolling alphabet stamp.  I inked the edges of the tag with broken china and  antique linen distress ink pads using the ink blending tool.

PRODUCTS USED:


DIY Prom Accessories From Duck Tape®

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck® Brand for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Make Duck Tape Crafts #StuckAtProm #DIY @theduckbrand @savedbyloves

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If you have been around SBLC for awhile, you know that I heart crafts made from Duck Tape®.  That is why I was so thrilled when invited to use it to create a prom themed project.  The stuff comes in over 140 colors and prints, meaning you are sure to find the perfect match to accessorize that fab dress, or even to make the dress in its entirety!  I am going to show you how I created these roses and used them to make hair pins, earrings and a ring.  This project is quick and easy.  You will have beautiful prom accessories in no time.  Then I will tell you about Stuck at Prom®, a scholarship contest in which your creativity could win you some serious cash!

Sizzix and Duck Brand Duck tape jewelry #prom

To start, I made Duck Tape® sheets using foil squares I had on hand.  Disposable foil containers or any craft foil that is thin and flexible will work. Cut it the apporpriate size for the die shape.  Cover both sides of the foil with your favorite color/pattern of Duck Tape®.

Sizzix Flowers 3-D die jewelry

I used the Sizzix Flowers 3-D Die for the rose shape and the Flower Layers & Leaves Die for the leaves.

Run the tape covered foil through the machine and coil the resulting spiral shape around a skewer or toothpick from the outside towards the center per die instructions.

E6000 Sizzix flower die Duck Tape Crafts

Put a dab of glue on circle tab in center of die cut flower and press to bottom of rolled shape.  Hold between thumb and index finger for 20 sec or so for glue to have time to grab.

Duck Tape Crafts

Now you have your rosette.  If you want leaves, die cut or hand cut them from green Duck Tape® covered foil and glue them to the bottom of the rose.

#ducktapecrafts #DuctTapeFlowers

I used my duck tape roses to make earrings, a ring and a hair pin, all of which would make perfect prom accessories when matched with the dress.  It takes 5 minutes to create a rose, and not much longer to incorporate it into an accessory.  Quick, easy and super cool… my kind of project!

Rivoli Holders

For the earrings, I glued the roses into these rivoli holders that have a connector ring on 2 sides.  I added an ear wire with a jump ring and that was that.  You could add a crystal or other charm in the bottom ring if you wanted some extra bling.

Duck tape hair accessories

For the hairpin, I glued the leaves to the bobby pin blank, then the rose on top of those.

Duck tape rose ring

duct tape rose tutorial

For the ring, I simply glued the rose onto a ring blank.  Easy!

#StuckAtProm

Do you have a Duck Tape® prom idea?  If so, you will want to check out the Stuck at Prom® Scholarship contest where over $40,000 in scholarships are up for grabs!  Visit the link for entry details and deadline.  Join me in following Duck Tape on Facebook for inspiration and updates.

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10-great-diy-projects

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Updated Mother’s Day 50+ Roundup

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Over 60 Mother's Day Gifts to make for less than $10 @savedbyloves

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Last year I brought you 50+ Mother’s Day gifts to make for less than $10. Here is the 2013 update of that, including 60+ projects any mom would love to get. I broke it down into Jewelry, Photo, and Home/Garden gifts. If you have a project you don’t see listed, email me so I can see if it fits!

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching. I gathered up some great handmade gift ideas with mom in mind, that you can make yourself for under $10. With jewelry, photo, spa and home gifts to choose from, you will find something just perfect for your mom and she will love that you made it for her.

Jewelry


Photo

 


Home/Spa



American Chocolate Week: Walmart Bakery + Starbucks = #DeliciousPairings

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American Chocolate Week #DeliciousPairings #Starbucks #WalMart #StarbucksMocha Bakery at Walmart

 

We are in the middle of marathon training in this house, which means there is a lot of tired and hungry.  When things get tough, it helps to reach for some of my favorite things – enter coffee and chocolate.  Coffee is a must in my daily routine all year round, but especially during training.  My chocolate consumption increases too.  It is a fantastic fuel source and I feel like I deserve it with all the running.  This is one of the great perks of being a runner, after all!  Plus it is American Chocolate Week.  I have a patriotic duty to partake.

American Chocolate Week #DeliciousPairings #Starbucks #WalMart #StarbucksMocha Bakery at Walmart

With American Chocolate Week in mind, we took a trip to Walmart over the weekend, visiting the in-store Starbucks Mocha demo.  I am a huge Starbucks coffee fan.  I visit the stores when out and about, but more often brew at home with Starbucks whole beans from the grocery store.  In Walmart stores nationwide you can find Delicious Pairings display to help you pair various Starbucks coffee blends with different bakery goods, creating deliciously paired breakfast or treats to savor.  At the demo, we learned that pairing Starbucks Mocha blend with a chocolate treat really compliments the flavor of the coffee.  This was enough of a reason for me to purchase the Starbucks Mocha Grounds in the coffee aisle, and The Bakery at Walmart Brand Double Chocolate Muffins in the bakery…

American Chocolate Week #DeliciousPairings #Starbucks #WalMart #StarbucksMocha Bakery at Walmart

American Chocolate Week #DeliciousPairings #Starbucks #WalMart #StarbucksMocha Bakery at Walmart

I brought my goodies home and brewed a pot of the new Starbucks Mocha.  I tried the coffee black, which is not my usual.  I am a cream and sweetener kind of coffee drinker.  It was actually pretty good.  The Mocha flavored coffee is made with a light roast bean, so I could take it black without protest.  The flavors were strong and pleasant, but after a few sips, I was ready for something to take the edge off of the bitterness.  I took a bite of the double chocolate muffins with a sip of the coffee… BLISS.  The coffee bitter notes were subdued by the chocolate, and the chips melted on contact with the hot liquid for a delightful celebration of American Chocolate Week in my mouth!   The flavors complimented one another for a duo worthy to be called a delicious pairing. I can see this becoming a regular happening!

American Chocolate Week #DeliciousPairings #Starbucks #WalMart #StarbucksMocha Bakery at Walmart

To learn more about the Mocha Roast and Double Chocolate Muffins, visit the links:

Starbucks Mocha Ground Coffee

The Bakery at Walmart Double Chocolate Muffins


I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™.   All opinions are my own.  #cbias #SocialFabric

 

Bring Logic to the Bathroom With Cottonelle

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Screen Shot 2013-03-01 at 6.01.15 AMThis is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is an atypical post topic, but it is something we all deal with, and we may as well make the best of it. Cottonelle has come up with a routine to make bathroom time more pleasant, even refreshing.  I recently got a package in the mail of Cottonelle Fresh Care flushable wipes and Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper to try, and I am hooked.

This was our first time using the Cottonelle Care Routine in our home.  We all agree.  The combo of the toilet paper and flushable wipes was definitely a cleaner, fresher feeling than just toilet paper alone.   It makes sense, really.  I mean think about it – you wouldn’t wash your car with a dry cloth , so why would you use dry tissue alone in the restroom? Sound logical?

Maybe a video would make it clearer.  Cottonelle is unveiling a series of hidden camera videos illustrating hat nothing from a kitchen table to a car can be properly cleaned without the combination of cloth and water.  See for yourself…

This is why nothing leaves you feeling cleaner and fresher than using Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper!
Now through June 30th, you can visit Cottonelle.com to watch the Cottonelle Wash Test videos and submit your entry for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of $10,000 bathroom makeover!

Test your Cleaning Logic at Cottonelle.com.  Enter the contest and leave a comment on below letting me know why you want to win!

 

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