Fancy That!

The one main reason you probably wouldn't see me in stores following Thanksgiving is that I find it the most ironic few days to start shopping. When I think of Thanksgiving, I see it as a day to spend time with loved ones and to give thanks to your blessings. I can't imagine running out at midnight - or worse that same day - to purchase a television. I know many people feel differently (obviously, because we wouldn't have Black Friday otherwise!) and I also know many don't have the family to spend the day with and other people like the opportunity to get out of the house and spend time with family in a different way. Also, those deals are pretty amazing that you see out there and some people may be able to buy things they wouldn't any other time of the year. But if you want to start a new tradition, join with me on this coming Tuesday. Let's make Giving Tuesday a new thing. We have Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday. Why not Giving Tuesda

Recently I had the chance to try Tuscany Pumpkin Pasta Sauce made by Cucina Antica and I couldn't wait to share my experience with you guys. But first a little about the company, Cucina Antica ! They've been in business for over 15 years and their cooking and pasta sauces contain only the freshest ingredients. I love what they believe in too - "Cucina Antica believs that food brings family and friends together, to share good conversation and good times over a delicious meal." I think that's the best type of belief system to have! Chef Neil Fusco, owner of Cucina Antica Foods , grew up helping his mother prepare food using ingredients from the family farm. Born in Italy, he is famous for making "light,fresh, homemade pasta sauces."   Now to the review! I had the chance to try the Tuscany Pumpkin Pasta Sauce , and I was honestly nervous - but nicely surprised - about my experience with the sauce. It is made with a combination of pumpkin as well

If you've started shopping for the guy in your life, you'll want to add this next item to your list. My older brother had the chance to try out the Honest Amish Beard Care product (and I had tried out their amazing handmade soap!). But first, a little about the company. Honest Amish is located in a small town in Pennsylvania and everything is made by hand and from scratch. Also, they'[re products are 100% natural, organic, and have sustainable ingredients. If you are conscious about the environment, you will want to purchase from these folks because you can just tell they care about what goes into the items they sell. I love that! My brother tried the Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil. The Honest Amish company carefully chose the items for this product and it's designed for beard and skin health and filled with ingredients meant to nourish your beard and relieve irritation of new growth. After trying the beard oil, my brother thought it the product'

Since going gluten-free a year ago, I've had the irritating journey to figuring out the best tasting gluten-free brands and which ones were just tasteless. I had the chance to try out Conte's Pasta foods and this review will talk all about my experience with them! Conte's Pasta started in the 1970's by Angela Conte who carried her love of Italian food with her to America. 1975, Conte's Pasta started with Angela making pasta for her neighbors. The restaurant three years later. Of course, it was successful right away! Soon customer's wanted to bring the good pasta feeling home and the company was born. Conte's Pasta has never been afraid of change as they bring in more products, such as pasta geared towards children, and soon (best of all for me!) geared towards people with food allergies. I tried a variety of gluten free items made by Conte's Pasta, such as pizza, lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, and more! Both my mom and I are gluten-fre

Attention to all the fellas (or ladies, pay attention if you are starting to buy for the men in your life this holiday season)! I had the most incredible opportunity to work with CanYouHandleBar.com and review some of their products. But wait? Me? Well, since I'm a lady, I thought it would be unique to bring in my oldest brother and have him give the products a try. I couldn't wait to see what he thought and get his perspective on some of the great products that CanYouHandleBar offers. First, a little bit about their background. Reading over the Can You Handle Bar Manifesto tells you so much about the man behind the mustache. Passionate about not only his facial hair, but what it means to be a man, gives me so much respect for this company. Freely admitting that the mustache doesn't make the man (and neither does this product), he defines a man as "a boy multiplied by life, minus excuses." Powerful stuff! He hopes that these products become mementos

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Time was when Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting. "It started when my aunt sent her pecan-rolls recipe," Mrs. Cavanaugh recalled. "I gave the recipe my own touch and started making the yummy specialties. Then I began dipping chocolates. Our friends and neighbors loved these treats, encouraging me to start a candy business. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea.'" Her husband George and children Carla, Lorraine, Calvin, Colene and Genise rallied, helping Mrs. Cavanaugh fill demands for her homemade sweets. ...In 1972, the family moved to Utah, leaving good friends and their beloved cattle ranch.  "It was a difficult decision, especially for George," Mrs. Cavanaugh said. "He was excited about making our new venture, which we chose to call Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies, a great success. We felt Utah was blessed with good chocolates and t

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I try very hard to stay focused on my health and selecting the right foods for my diet (that aren't too expensive!). It can be especially hardest for me around lunch time these days and ESPECIALLY around the afternoon slump (between 2 and 4 pm!). I get a major craving for chips or chocolate or SOMETHING. So I couldn't wait to try out Pearls' Olives to Go! and add that to my snack routine. The Musco Family Olive Company built the name brand we all know as Pearl Olives. It's a privately held family business and is the leading supplier of table olives in America. Isn't that incredible? Started by Nicolo Musco he worked in his family's merchant business to sell olives, cheese and other foods from village to village all from his donkey-driven cart. In 1922, he moved from Italy to New York and started his own Italian food distributorship. He then moved from New York to Northern California and started his dream to create olive oil and olives. In 1960, he passed