Googly Bands Review

The crazy silicone shaped wrist bands have become the latest "must have" collectable this year and have given lil bear yet another item to begin yet another new collection! I do like the price point on this new craze however, it's lower than most, the bands are small enough they don't take over the house and they're much easier to trade than a beanie baby or webkinz!!

Caity received a package of series VI "Lets Sk'8" and series VII "Beauty" which are sparkle bands from the Imperial Toy Company's version called Googly Bands. She was very excited when she saw the sparkle bands, having been looking for that style unsuccessfully for a while now.

The packaging is minimal but eye catching and fun, which is nice because it's much more environmentally friendly and the bands are cute. She had a little trouble getting some of them to form their correct shape but I think that may be to do with the thin shapes of some of them. They do seem larger than some of the other styles she's tried, this is a definite plus because they don't limit circulation in the wrist and leave a mark!

In her long hair they do tend to snag, but I really don't think many kids are buying them as hair accessories anyway, however it is something to keep in mind. The colors are bright and the glitter styles are really pretty and overall she's as pleased as punch with them.

I'd definitely recommend them, they are available in stores like Walmart, Toysrus and Christmas Tree shops, so if you have a youngster who just has to have some, I'd recommend you give these a try!

Monday Madness!!

Last Monday we had a fun giveaway on our Face Book Page! We had so much fun that I'm thinking of making it a regular event at least twice a month starting this Monday with a "guess the new flavor" giveaway.

Last week Melissa Vo won a bag of our brand new Lemon Meringue crystal barley hard candy jewels, this week if you guess our other new flavor & you are the first to post it on our Facebook page you could win a bag too!

Keep your eyes on our facebook page and twitter feed for updates on special offers, giveaways, new products and most of all good luck and have a sweet spring break!

William Shatner & Lin Yu Chun

It takes a lot to stun me into silence but today it finally happened after seeing a tweet about this performance on the George Lopez show by a new Internet sensation named Lin Yu Chun doing a duet with William I'm just a little crazy Shatner.

Total Eclipse of the heart is like one of my all time favorite songs and to hear it sound so ... well lets say different seemed almost sacrilegious but I was strangely amused and I have to admit it did put a smile on my face and I felt compelled to play it twice! It also puts me right back to the days of American Idol auditions of William Hung singing Ricky Martin's She Bangs, except for of course Bonny Tyler's Total Eclipse is a good song & not some silly pop ditty.

So what do you think? Funny, awful, down right appalling? Should Shatner be taken into a large arena to be publically flogged? Should Lin Yu Chun be permanently banned or totally adored? Tell me what you think ...

Yorkshire Pudding Secrets

Yorkshire puddings are a favorite treat in our home, no sooner do they come out of the oven they're being snatched up before they can even make it to a serving dish! Now I sometimes cheat when I make mine and use a mix, but if you don't have a British food store close by then here's the recipe to make your own!

Ingredients

•100g / 4oz plain flour
•2 eggs
•200ml milk
•50ml water
•1/2 teaspoon salt

How to make it

The most important thing when making Yorkshire pudding is to get your oven VERY hot or they won't rise properly - 230 degrees celcius/450 degrees fahrenheit.

Add a little oil to each compartment of a muffin pan & place in the oven, you want the oil to get so hot that it sings to you when you open the door!

Whilst that's in there, mix together your flour, salt and eggs and then bit by bit add in the milk beating it into a creamy smooth mixture and then let it sit out for a few minutes whilst the oil gets to it's sizzling best.

Once the oil is hot enough carefully take out the pan and pour in the batter dividing it between the 12 sections. The oil should sizzle as you pour it in, this will give you more confirmation that it is hot enough but watch out as it does tend to spit!

Put immediately back into the oven for approximately 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the puddings. You'll know they're ready when they rise up nice and big and become a nice golden brown.

Serve with a roast dinner and gravy, or alternatively as a desert with sugar and lemon.

For another variation on this fabulous treat you can make toad in the hole by using a larger single bakedish and adding sausages and then pouring the yorkshire pudding mix on top, it used to be my kids absolute favorite when they were little.

Enjoy!

Step Into Spring Giveaway

It's officially Springtime and time for a brand new giveaway!!

The giveaway is for a fabulous box of ducky crystal barley hard candy lollipops just in time for Easter and valued at over $10!!

Entry is easy, just visit my Sweet Lollipop Shop Etsy shop then come back here and post telling me which flavor or sweet treat you like the best.

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Facebook Page
-Refer a friend to become a Facebook Fan and if they post they were referred by you & they win the giveaway I'll send YOU a matching prize too for referring them!
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!


Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is opened to everyone, everywhere.

The winner will be drawn on Easter Sunday and receive a fabulous package of ducky crystal barley hard candy lollipops!

Giveaway Ends: Sunday 4th April 2010 @ 10am EST

Curried Turkey & Vegetable Soup

It's a New Year and that means of course we're all thinking of our resolutions. Losing weight is always a biggie and one that generally is undertaken by many a woman wanting to get in shape for the upcoming summer months. One of my favorite recipes is this one for turkey and vegetable soup, you can make this up in big batches and refridgerate and/or freeze portions. It's filling, delicious and low in fat and calories and it's versatile enough that you can switch out veggies for your favorites! It's also VERY easy to make.


Ingredients

Head of broccoli
8oz mushrooms
1 med onion
1lb carrots
1 small white cabbage
1 bunch celery
1 large turkey breast cooked & shredded
Fat free, low sodium chicken broth (2 large)
2 tbls curry powder
1 tbls tumeric
fresh or dried oregano
basil

How to make it

Wash and cut up vegetables and put into large stockpot, pour over chicken broth, add curry powder, tumeric, oregano and basil, stir and add just enough water to be 1 inch below vegetable line. Heat to a boil then simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes.

Take off the heat whilst the vegetables still have a little firmness to them, I always test by tasting the carrots and take off the heat as soon as they begin to soften but still have a little bit of crunch to them. The vegetables will continue to soften in the broth after you remove from the heat so this prevents them from going mushy.

Don't like turkey breast? You can substitute a couple of chicken breasts instead!

My Christmas Top Ten Foodie Favorites

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

With that comes the tastiest time with the most delicious food choices imaginable and being a Brit living in the US our Christmas always tends to be a mixture of flavors and fun. So here's our families top ten yummy must haves for the holiday season.

1. Yorkshire puddings!
These are a total must have with Christmas dinner, made from a batter similar to pancake batter, they are cooked at high heat in the oven and rise into delectable puffy goodness which not only taste fabulous with dinner, but are to die for warmed up with some lemon and sugar for desert!

2. Roast potatoes
Cooked in the meat juices, continuously basted and fabulously crispy, my mum showed me how to make the perfect roastie and they're a huge favorite in our house.

3. Paxo Sage & Onion stuffing
This is one of our British must haves. In fact if I didn't buy this my oldest daughter Lauren would be very upset. It's very different to American stuffing and it's totally yummy.

4. Chocolate Tree Decorations
A family tradition, has to be by the British Cadburys company and the kids try every year to hide them within the branches of the tree to fool me!

5. Bisto Gravy
Yes it's granules out of a container but it's our favorite gravy and it's darn easy to make which makes it a perfect choice from back home in the UK.

6. Selection boxes
Another British tradition, something my children have grown up with every year and I still buy at least 2 each for them every year.

7. Mashed potatoes
An odd choice you may think, but I barely eat potatoes the rest of the year and I love to indulge at Christmas on copious amounts of the fluffy stuff made with obscene quantities of butter before being joined by at least 3 veggies and a sea of gravy. It is mandatory to make at least enough to last 3 days!

8. Baby Brussel sprouts
Only my older daughter and I love these, so it's about the only time of the year that we add them to the menu - great to go with the leftovers!

9. Mince Pies
A huge favorite of my oldest daughter Lauren, made with a sweet mixture of mincemeat and another British tradition

10. Birds custard
Personally I'm not a fan but all of my kids love this hot creamy desert topping, Lauren loves it over her mince pies whereas her baby sister loves to eat it alone straight from the jug!

Do you have any Christmas favorite foods or must have items you enjoy every year? Share them with me, I'd love to hear about your traditions!

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 12

It's our final day of the 12 Days Of Christmas Giveaway and our best prize yet!! Todays prize is not only festive, bright, cute and colorful but sweet and delicious too! It's 4 prizes all for one person from both our Sweet Lollipop Shop store and from our Ducky Soaps store!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 12 - PRIZE

RAINBOW JEWELS CANDY
AND
THREE HOLIDAY DUCKY SOAPS


Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Sweet Lollipop Shop or my Ducky Soaps Shop then come back here and post telling me what item would make you smile the most if you found it in your Christmas stocking

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!

Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to USA & Canada.

The winner will receive a bag of rainbow crystal jewels candy plus a snowman, Rudolph and elf ducky soap valued at $20.

Day 12 Giveaway Ends: Tuesday 15th December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 9, 10 & 11!!!

Do you like surprises? Then you'll love todays giveaway and even better there are 3 of them up for grabs!! Today we're combining days 9, 10 and 11 to give away 3 prizes all at once!! Now you have even more chances to win!! Todays prize is from our Sweet Lollipop Shop. A delicious sweet treat gift pack of delicious handmade candy!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 9,10 & 11 - PRIZE

SWEET TREAT GIFT PACK

Here's how you can win:
Entry is easy, just visit my Sweet Lollipop Shop then come back here and post telling me which Christmas lollipop is your favorite.

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!

Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide.

Each winner will receive a mystery sweetie pack valued at $5.

Day 6,7 & 8 Giveaway Ends: Sunday 13th December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 6, 7 & 8!!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving and crazy busy week! Today we're combining days 6, 7 and 8 to give away 3 prizes all at once!! Now you have even more chances to win!! Todays prize is not only festive but was a special request as a prize from one wonderful facebook follower! It's 3 great days of giveaways and today our prizes come from our Ducky Soaps store!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 6,7 & 8 - PRIZE

SNOWMAN IN A SNOWFLAKE DUCKY SOAP
Here's how you can win:
Entry is easy, just visit my Ducky Soaps store then come back here and post telling me what ducky soap reminds you most of Christmas.

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!

Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide.

Each winner will receive a snowman in a snowflake ducky soap valued at $6.

Day 6,7 & 8 Giveaway Ends: Friday 11th December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 5

Todays prize is not only festive but sweet and delicious too! It's day 5 of our 12 days of Christmas giveaway and today our prize is from our Sweet Lollipop Shop store!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 5 - PRIZE

CHRISTMAS LOLLIPOPS

Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Sweet Lollipop Shop then come back here and post telling me what Christmas item you like the most

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!

Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to USA & Canada.

The winner will receive a selection of Christmas lollipops valued at $10.

Day 5 Giveaway Extended: Tuesday 8th December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 4

Todays prize will keep you toasty warm this coming holiday season! It's day 4 of our 12 days of Christmas giveaway and today our prize is from Sweet Lollipop Shop's Body Beautiful store! It's a pair of matching natural cherry pit handy heat therapy bags in a Christmas "Candy Cane" red and white striped print. They are perfect pocket hand warmers for teenagers and adults, can be used for muscle cramps, arthritic conditions, joint pain and are proven to provide relief in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain! Easy to use - just pop in the microwave for 1 minute for heat therapy or place in a freezer bag and chill in the freezer for bumps, scrapes and bruising. Cherry pits are all natural, safe and retain heat and cold much better than alternative fillers.

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 4 - PRIZE

HANDY HEAT THERAPY BAGS
CANDY CANE DESIGN
Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Body Beautiful Etsy shop then come back here and post telling me what item you like the best from my store

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!


Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to USA & Canada.

The winner will receive a pair of natural cherry pit handy heat therapy bags in candy cane stripes design as seen in the picture above.

Day 4 Giveaway Ends: Friday 4th December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 3

Todays prize looks deliciously sweet! It's day 3 of our 12 days of Christmas giveaway and today our prize is from Sweet Lollipop Shop's Body Beautiful store! It's a handmade resin pendant made with real candy sprinkles and comes complete with a chain for you to wear and show off your sweet side!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 3 - PRIZE

SWEET TREAT CANDY PENDANT


Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Body Beautiful Etsy shop then come back here and post telling me what item you like the best from my store

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!


Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to everyone, worldwide.


The winner will receive the fabulously cute pendant above complete with chain and ready to wear!

Day 3 Giveaway Ends: Thursday 3rd December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 2

Wow the last 24 hours went so fast and so here we are and it's day 2 of our 12 days of Christmas giveaway and today our prize is from Sweet Lollipop Shop's ducky soap store!

So Lets Get Going!

DAY 2 - PRIZE

CHRISTMAS ELF DUCKY SOAP SET


Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Ducky Soaps Etsy shop then come back here and post telling me which ducky soap you like the best

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!


Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US & Canada only.


The winner will receive a fabulously cute Christmas elf ducky glycerin soap set with 3 adorable mini ducky soaps in a delicious holiday berry scent.

Day 2 Giveaway Ends: Wednesday 2nd December 2009 @ 10am EST

12 days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 1

As we all begin preparations for the upcoming holiday season it's hard to believe how quickly it crept upon us. This year I have decided to hold a very special 12 days of Christmas giveaway, what this means is there will be 12 consecutive days of goodies giving you even more chance to win a little something.

Now traditionally the twelve days of Christmas begins on December 25th through until January 5th until the beginning of Epiphany on January 6th. However Sweet Lollipop Shop doesn't want you to wait that long so our giveaway begins on the first day of advent, December 1st until December 12th so that you get your goodies just in time for the real first day of Christmas!

So Lets Get Started!

DAY 1 - PRIZE

CRYSTAL BARLEY HARD CANDY JEWELS
EGG NOG & CRANBERRY FLAVORS


Here's how you can win:

Entry is easy, just visit my Sweet Lollipop Shop Etsy shop then come back here and post telling me which flavor crystal jewels candy you like the best

*Want more entries?*
-Post this giveaway on Twitter/Facebook.
-Follow me on TWITTER
-Become a fan on facebook Sweet Lollipop Shop Facebook Page
-Blog about this giveaway and leave a post that you did and where.(2 EXTRA ENTRIES!!)
-Add my button to your blog
-Subscribe to and/or follow my blog (Make sure you activate your subscription!)

Each of these can give you another entry! Please leave a separate comment for each one and what it is for!


Rules: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to me with their name and address. If this information is not received within 24 hours new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to US & Canada only.


The winner will receive 2 bags of crystal barley hard candy jewels in egg nog and cranberry.

Day 1 Giveaway Ends: Tuesday 1st December 2009 @ 10am EST