Peet's #GiveACup Wants Your Opinion!

If you have ever had the pleasure of tasting Peet’s coffees, you know how uncompromising they are when it comes to flavor. The single cup is no compromise! When they started working on their Single Cup, they insisted on getting the ratio just right and you can definitely taste the difference.

Now, in the internet's first official social sampling experiment, Peet's coffee wants to know what you "Give a Cup" about! Say what? Peet's coffee is using your votes to determine where they host their sampling events each week. Give a Cup about kale? Maybe they’ll show up at a farmer’s market. Don’t give a cup about kale? See you at the chocolate store down the street. It’s up to you and America to decide where they go so vote, share, and participate in the social sampling experiment!









Today they are asking if you give a cup about zombies for their trip to Chicago. Personally, I give a big cup about zombies. All that walking dead, trying to eat my brains? So not cool. So of course, I voted that I most definitely give a cup about zombies. We will see where that leads the sampling truck!

Ready to participate in this social media coffee extravaganza?

1. Go to Peet's Give A Cup page
2. Vote on a topic weekly-they are silly and fun
3. Your vote determines where the next stop will be
4. See the schedule of tours 

Click, clack, done! The campaign runs from June 19th- July 25th and will most likely be coming to a city near you sometime soon, so join in the action and show what you and your city, gives a cup about!


*Disclosure: Images and value provided by our partner, Peet's. This is a sponsored post and I was compensated. All opinions on coffee and zombies share remain my own. Zombies are scary y'all.*

Crazy Wonderful Boys #WW

Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival This Weekend! ($110 Value #Giveaway!)

It's officially summer here in Atlanta, and what better way to kick off the season than with a local festival that offers something for the whole family?!  Next weekend, June 29th and 30th, Atlanta will be host to the inaugural Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival, featuring more than 125 artists, many of which are from right here in Georgia!

O4W is one of Atlanta's hidden gems, and is home to a wide array of locally owned shops, restaurants, and more, making it a great place to celebrate our local talent.  The Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival is taking place in the new Historic 4th Ward Park, one of the first completed urban park elements of the Atlanta Beltline Project.  This modern park is beautifully constructed with bike and walking paths surrounding the pond, and a very cool playground for the kids.

From the Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival website: 

"The historic Old Fourth Ward Park area is rich with diversity and one of the most enthusiastic art communities in the Atlanta area. This event will feature up to 185 fine painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft persons, glass blowers, jewelers and more! The Festival will also offer visitors the opportunity to view artist demonstrations, enjoy live entertainment, participate in hands-on arts activities, and enjoy festival foods and beverages.  The Festival benefits a scholarship fund for local artists administered by the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces."

Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival

When: Saturday, June 29th 10-6; Sunday, June 30th 11-6
Where: Historic 4th Ward Park?, 592 N. Angier Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Food trucks: Roly Poly, Williams Brothers BBQ, Happy Belly 
Live music: Neil Cribbs, Jeremy Wayne Dean, Caleb Warren and The Perfect Gentleman, Russell McLaughlin, Wesley Cook, Jesse Tyler, Radio Birds, and more!
Local artists:  125+ booths (participating artist list)
Follow my blog with Bloglovin Cost: Free admission & parking (Atlanta Bike Coalition will also be onsite offering bike valet services)
Information: www.oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com
Children's Entertainment: Inflatables, sand art and face painting (activity tickets are required)
Pets: Dogs are welcome to join in the fun too, just be sure to bring a leash and pick up behind them!

Sounds pretty cool right? You can spend the whole afternoon strolling through the artist booths, munching on local food, listening to music and letting the kiddos play on the playground.  And did I mention there will be adult beverages available for purchase as well?  It's sure to be an awesome way to spend the weekend with your family!

***Giveaway Alert***

The folks over at the festival have even given me and several other Atlanta bloggers a $110 Festival Prize Pack to give away to one of our readers!  It includes $50 in Artist Bucks, 2 lunch vouchers (meal and drink), and up to 4 children's bracelets for unlimited inflatable play!  The giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday 6/28, use the form below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Want more chances to win?  Be sure to follow the Old Fourth Ward Park Arts Festival on Facebook and Instagram, as they'll be giving away $50 in Artist Bucks to spend at the festival every day this week! 

Disclosure - I was compensated for promoting the festival and giveaway.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Exhaustion Sets In

Its that time of year.  The beginning of the hottest weather and the point at which school has been out long enough that the kids are ready for a break from each other. Which is always a fun mixture, no? Of course that means we have been spending a lot of time either at the pool or one of the splash pads around the area which only compounds the exhaustion but in a good way. Meaning we are all sleeping like logs. My mother always said an exhausted kid is a happy kid.

In the mean time, the school year is sneaking up on us at an alarming rate. Which, for those keeping track, means that its almost time for D start Kindergarten. Ensue parental freak out. I am so not ready for my little man to start big kid school. It was just yesterday he learned how to walk, right?  I may be just a little bitter still that I won't be homeschooling him like I had planned to do since he was born, but at this point I can't do anything but put my trust in him and his future teachers and be his back up team if anyone crosses him. Don't poke the mama bear public schools! 

I know he is ready though. Maybe not ready for the total life change he is about to undergo with the new schedule and having to get up before dawn. I do know that he is ready for the learning and the friends and the adventure. He is ready to spread his little wings and take off into what is going to quickly turn into adulthood. Too quickly I'm afraid. 

Littles will be going to big kid pre-k this fall too and I am oh so nervous about that. He is oh so smart and intelligent but he is also a big time Mama's boy. I hate to see him have to develop a thicker skin but he will have to. Or so I'm afraid. There again, mama bear steps in. I have that overwhelming need to protect them from the world. It will all be ok. Right? Breathe. 

I can't even wrap my head around the fact that 2013 is halfway gone already. It seems to me like this year is going at an alarmingly fast rate. Its not even that it has been a bad year either. So far, its actually been the kind of year that the boys and I so desperately needed. Easy and relaxed with new friends to help us all along the way. Its just crazy that its already time to start thinking about their birthdays and what to do for a party. Especially with the craziness that school is going to bring. Might as well go ahead and get that part settled now so I am not freaking out last second. 

So, here's to summer. All of its craziness and hectic fun has to last a whole year this time. Might as well spend it the best way a kid knows how: Exhausted. 

Cascade #Platinum Review: Winning! #Sponsored

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

Oh, the down and dirty fun of adulthood. Dishes (and wrinkles) have always been my nemesis. I would rather do just about anything other than rinsing dishes and getting them to the dishwasher. For reals. All that stuck on food and greasy slime that makes everything congeal together? Not cool.

I have struggled for years to try to find the best dishwasher detergent. The biggest problem being is that we have always been renters and, lets face it, most places we have lived have severely lacked in the dishwasher department. Cheap, medium cheap, and expensive alike, there always seemed to be something that each just wouldn't get off.

Enter Cascade Platinum! Cascade Platinum achieves a clean so powerful it helps keep the

dishwasher sparkling while delivering a variety of dish care benefits. In my book, Clean dishes and a clean dishwasher, with no elbow grease from me, always equals winning. 

How Cascade Platinum makes dishes completely awesome:

• Delivers Cascade’s ultimate clean for dishes
• Scrubs away tough 24 hour stuck-on food
• Eliminates the need to pre-wash dishes
• Contains the Grease Fighting Power of Dawn.
• Increased enzyme power delivers better tough food cleaning.
• Unique liquid-top dual surfactant system delivers exceptional shine for the dishes AND helps keep your dishwasher sparkling clean
• Specially designed chelant and polymer system helps prevent hard-water film build-up on your dishes, glasses and even the interior walls of your dishwasher.
• The chelant is designed to fight Calcium that comes in with hard-water and food to help deliver virtually film-free dishes wash after wash 

Let me tell you guys, this stuff has changed my life for the even better. Right out of the gate I decided to just stick the plates in the dishwasher and see what happened. We had made lasanga. The king of nasty, dried on, red sauce with cheesey-ness. That and some not so savory milk cups  found laying in various rooms around the house. 

The verdict? Cascade Platinum got everything off. Everything. It even got the spoiled milk rings out of the cups! A first ever around here! 

Now, more than ever, people eat with their eyes, and the evidence is all over sites like Facebook and Instagram. With that in mind, Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, Gail Simmons, has partnered with Cascade to discuss why presentation is just as important as preparation.

• From prep to plating: It’s more than just a great-tasting recipe, but also perfect presentation.
• Sparkling dishes, shining flat ware and spot-free glasses truly let you put your best food forward with culinary creations that pop!
• Gail recommends impressing with a Platinum Presentation: “The easiest recipes pop with unexpected, gourmet presentations. Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white plates or layer desserts in crystal-clean glassware. Keep your presentation sparkling with Cascade Platinum, which keeps dishes perfect for anytime entertaining and impromptu guests.”

So, head on out to your local grocer and pick up Cascade Platinum to get your dishes Platinum clean. While you're at it, be sure to like the Cascade Facebook page to keep an eye out for special deals and offers. Plus right now Cascade is hosting a great contest where you can win a brand new Whirpool Dishwasher, plus one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen makeover!

To win, users have to both register and upload a photo with the #MyPlatinum hashtag and tag @MyCascade. Click here to register!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game! #Braves

We were provided tickets to attend a home Braves game! The boys and I had a blast hanging out, eating peanuts and doing the Tomahawk Chop. As soon as we got to the stadium, D was excited. He remembered coming here last year and was super excited about getting to see the whole game this year since it had rained so hard the year before. 

D actually enjoyed watching the players play and run the bases. He was much more into the game this year than he has been in the years past. 

Of course, we did a fair amount of just goofing off too. 

K was not as enamored by the game but he enjoyed eating peanuts and drinking his special ball game juice (Capri Sun). He did a little playing on my tablet and a little pestering all the people around us too. True littles style. 

We had great seats and had an awesome view of the diamond and all the crazy fans. Turner field is always gorgeous. One of the highlights for the boys is always the huge screen at the end of the field. They love watching other fans up on the big screen and playing along with the ball cap shuffle game. 

Of course we ended our night watching the always cool fireworks show from our seats and then we headed home for a good nights rest. We were all exhausted but it was well worth it! 

D's favorite new "dance", the Tomahawk Chop. 

Our Beachy Weekend #WW

We picked the most beautiful day...

And headed to Acworth Beach for some fun in the sun.

The boys had fun splashing.

And playing.

Bigs Jumps Rope!

Not bad for a first timer, right??

Happiest of Birthdays to Me!

Today, I turned 32. Scary thing, 32. Still, I could not have asked for a better birthday. Considering how bad the last few years have gone, there wasn't really much competition. I spent the morning with my boys hanging out and opening presents. D insisted I had to have a party crown so I dug out my mother's old homecoming queen crown to wear for the morning's festivities. We had birthday cake for breakfast and then I opened the presents the boys and my mother had gotten me.

My favorite part of the morning though, was the boys' singing me happy birthday and then helping me blow out my candles. *swoon*


After we messed around the house for awhile we got dressed and went to our favorite restaurant for lunch. The boys call it the "fire restaurant" but its actually a Japanese steak house. As we stuffed ourselves silly, D leaned over and told me I was his best friend in the whole wide world and I nearly broke down in tears. These boys definitely know how to make their Mama feel special. 

After lunch, I went shopping with my father. That's right ladies and gents, my father voluntarily took me shopping for clothes. Four stores later, something tells me he regretted getting himself into that situation. I kid. He helped me find some great new work/ interviewing clothes and for that I am so grateful. With money as tight as it is and with all the weight I've lost, my closet is a bit scary. 

Not the best picture but its new!!

When I got home from shopping with my dad, I had a couple of surprises waiting for me. Actually, the delivery man was just getting out of his truck to give one to me. Talk about service! Anyway, I got the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from a close friend that is out of town for my birthday and let me tell you what, I haven't cried like that in awhile. Happy tears but totally unexpected tears. 

Gorgeous, Right??

I also got a beautiful plant and gift card for a mani/ pedi from a close friend of the family and a new bathroom rug (which was quite needed) from my mother. 
I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family that have made my birthday special. From Facebook posts and emails to flowers and gifts, there is no doubt in my mind that I am loved this year. Its such a wonderful feeling and it has certainly made my birthday rich and happy. Happiest of birthdays to me! 

Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts and LivingSocial Wine Festival + $180 Festival Giveaway!

Atlanta is in for a special treat this month! There are two festivals happening next weekend that you do not want to miss!

The Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts and the Living Social Wine Festival are taking place right beside each other June 8th and 9th right in the heart of Buckhead, not far from Ansley Park and Morningside. So clear your schedule, call up your friends, and make plans to spend your weekend hanging out with some of Atlanta’s finest artists and musicians, munching on tasty local bites, and indulging in wines from over 40 different wineries. All the info you need to have an amazing festival weekend is below, along with a giveaway for a $180 festival prize package including free art, lunch and the VIP wine experience!

The Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts

When: Saturday, June 8th 10-6; Sunday, June 9th 11-6

Where: Peachtree Hills Recreation Center‎, 308 Peachtree Hills Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30305-4505

Food trucks: Williams Brothers BBQ, Yumbii, Happy Belly, Gigi’s Cupcakes, King of Pops, Honeysuckle

Live music: Reed Ferguson, EB Reece, The Georgia Flood, Melissa Brethauer, Rachel Wiggins, Steve Baskin, Chelsea Shag and more!

Local artists: Up to 150 booths (participating artist list)

Cost: Free admission

Information: www.peachtreehillsfestival.com


Living Social Wine Festival
When: Saturday, June 8th 4:30 and 8:30; Sunday, June 9th 4:30 and 8:30 (tickets are valid for a 3 hour session)

Where: 351 Peachtree Hills Avenue, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30305

What: Unlimited tasting of 100+ varietals from more than 40 wineries and more (see below)

Information: www.livingsocial.com

Cost: $25 to $99, depending on ticket level (see below)

General Admission – $30 (Saturday) or $25 (Sunday):
Unlimited tasting of 100 varietals from more than 40 local wineries on site
Cheese and cracker pairings
Live music
LivingSocial wine glass

VIP ticket – $55:
Everything included in the General Admission ticket
Exclusive area with preferred wines
Small bites
Wine education
LivingSocial Corkscrew
Express entrance to avoid the line

Weekend pass with entry to all four sessions - $99
Unlimited tasting of 100 varietals from more than 40 local wineries on site
Cheese and cracker pairings
Live music
LivingSocial wine glass

Sweet, right? You can spend the morning strolling through the artist booths, take a break for lunch, then head on over to the wine festival to finish out the day right!

Be sure to follow the Peachtree Festival of the Arts on Facebook and Instagram, as they’ll be giving away $50 in Artist Bucks to spend at the festival every day this week. Now, on to the BIG prize…..

The folks over at the festivals have even given me and several other Atlanta bloggers a $180 Festival Prize Pack to give away to one of our readers! It includes $50 in Artist Bucks, 2 lunch vouchers (meal and drink), and 2 VIP Wine Festival passes! The giveaway ends at noon on Friday, use the form below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway