Introducing Rock of Ages

I’m proud to introduce you to my newest sponsor, Rock of Ages,  home of beautiful and unique, one of a kind pendants, beads, and leather chokers.  
Jeanette Cotton is the artist behind these lovely pieces.  She carefully selects each stone and she’s developed a very eclectic and impressive line of pieces.
I was very intrigued by her description of the concept behind her work: “Since before the begining of all time the mother earth has been an impressive 8,000 mile rock! The pendants and stone beads I’m selling are her off-spring and through talented lapidarist eyes created into brillant pieces of art!”

When designing jewelry Jeanette draws on the colors in nature and paints with beads. She is not intimidated by color and shows that fearlessness in her work. She uses Tibetan silver from the Karen Hill Tribe, Bali silver, quality semi-precious stones, crystals, a variety of pearls, and beautiful handmade lamp beads.
Her eye for the obscure inspires her more unique pieces which include such rarities as dinosaur bone, mummy beads, and petrified coral, to name a few.
Jeanette has recently begun adding leather chokers to her shop. These come in beautiful custom colors and are made to size.  In the future she also hopes to add handmade earwire and other components for jewely making.
Looking through Jeanette’s shop, it’s obvious that she is a gifted artist with a real passion for her craft and a love of everything nature has to offer.  Go by Rock of Ages to see all of Jeanette’s beautiful creations!  You can also check out her other shop Painted Lady Designs. And keep up with her on her facebook page!

Sharing this post at some of these great parties!

-Jerri
If you’d like to advertise on Simply Sweet Home, please see my PR Page for details.

No-Go BlogHer Blog Hop

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I got the memo this week that there’s a little blog conference going on this weekend called Blogher. lol.  For me, going to this conference (or any other conference) this year is just a monetary impossibility!  I was talking to my husband about it, and he said he’d make it his goal to get the money for me to go to a future conference because he knows how much I love blogging. (He’s such a sweety!) 
But even then, I don’t know for sure that I would go because I’m ulta-shy!  Ordinarily I’m shy even just being around one or two people I don’t very well (or at all), and going to a conference would definitely put me on edge! I know a lot of people are anxious or intimidated by conferences, but I’d probably have a panic attack! Seriously!  But who knows, I may get up my courage and attend one—one day. I know it would be a great experience if I would just relax!
Till then, I decided to participate in the No-Go BlogHer Blog Hop over at To Be Thode and Musings of a Marfan Mom.  Not only is it free, but it’s nothing to stress over!  And they’re giving away prizes too! 
If you’re visiting from the bloghop, welcome to my blog!  Please take a moment to sign up for my latest giveaways! (Links can be found at the top!) And if you like what you see here at Simply Sweet Home, I’d love for you to be my newest follower!
For this bloghop, we are to answer the following questions: 
1.When did you start blogging?  I started blogging in October of 2007.
2.Why did you start blogging?  I’ve always loved writing, and I thought blogging was such a great creative outlet, and a fantastic way to share ideas and find community.  When I started blogging, I was a newlywed.  I was living 6 hours away from my hometown  and had nobody to talk to (except my husband).  But I loved being a new wife, and I loved everything that went along with that (cooking, grocery shopping, decorating the house, etc.)  So I decided to start Simply Sweet Home. 
3.What is one thing you are going to do this week that is WAY cooler than going to BlogHer?  I’ll be spending this weekend with my husband. (I kinda like that guy just a little bit!) Actually he’s going out of town next week, so I’m really glad that I get to spend this time with him before his trip.  We also have a cookout with our Sunday school class tomorrow.  And of course, I get to spend time with my baby cats!
4. Share a post that you think says a lot about you or is your favorite. Here’s a few!

Thanks for stopping by!
-Jerri

Friday Favorites – Week 24

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Welcome to Friday Favorites!  And a special welcome to all this week’s new participants and to everyone who linked up for the first time last week!

Before we get to this week’s featured posts I want to remind you to sign up for my latest giveaways.  I have a CSN Store giveaway ending on Friday.  Also, there’s a delicious giveaway for Bubble Chocolate, which has less than 50 entries at this writing, and there will be 5 winners! Also, I just added a new Walmart giveaway this week!  And more great promotions to come!

Now onto the party! If you’re featured, I’d love for you to grab my Featured button for your blog!

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars from Gramma’s Cookin
Retro Kitchen Towels from Adventures of One Crazy Lady
Cherry Limeades from Eating Simply

Margherita Pizza from Family, Stamping, and FOOD

I can’t wait to see your latest posts! Link up below! Please link up to your actual blog post, not your blog, and don’t forget to include a link back to Simply Sweet Home so others can come by for the party!

CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look Review & Giveaway

I guess you could say that I’ve always been a “CoverGirl.” Since I was old enough to wear makeup I’ve always used CoverGirl products.  Over the years I’ve tried out their various liquid foundations, pressed powders, and eye makeups.  And I’m always excited to see the new products they roll out.

Recently I was given the opportunity to try out CoverGirl’s new Smoky Eye Look kits.  These kits are designed to help you create the that smoky eye look you see on all the models and actresses out there. (You know that look that appears so glamorous on hot superstars, but if you tried it, you’d look like you just lost a fist fight? Yes, that look!)

The kits come in three varieties:  Natural Look, Glamorous Look, and Bold Look.

And each kit makes it easy to create the smoky eye look with 3 products: SmokyShadowBlast, LineExact Liquid Liner Pen, and LashBlast Volume Mascara.

For the purposes of this review I received all three Smoky Eye Look Kits, along with a makeup artist chair, bag, mirror, and tips from makeup artist Molly Stern. Of the three kits, my favorite is the Natural Look.  This kit comes with the SmokyShadow Blast in Bronze Fire, LashBlast Mascara in Brown, and LineExact Liquid Liner in Brown.

When I try new makeup, I judge it based on 4 different aspects The first is how the makeup looks on me.  I was very pleased in this area.  The makeup looked very nice, with bold yet very clean, natural lines.  It looked very glamorous without being overdone, and I felt very confident wearing it.

The second I look at is how easy the makeup is to apply.  In the past I’ve had issues with eye liner not going on as easy as I would like, so I was very happy at how easy the LineExact Liquid Liner was to apply and how quickly it dried after application. Also, this was my first time to use an eye shadow that wasn’t in pressed or loose powder form, and I found myself very surprised at how easy it was to apply as well.  As for the LashBlast Volume Mascara, I was actually using this type of mascara prior to receiving these kits for review, and I’ve always been happy with its easy application.
The third thing I look at is the one I always seem to have the most trouble with. My third area is how well the makeup holds up; that is, whether it’s going to smear or rub off, and how good it’s going to look after several hours of wear. I was (and still am) very excited about how well this makeup holds up.  With most eye shadows, the look seems to rub off or fade after a while, but several hours after application I can still see the SmokyShadowBlast eye shadow very well.  And of all the things I like about the products I received, my favorite thing is how well the LineExact Liquid Liner holds up.  I’ve had so much trouble with other liners smearing and makeup having to be fixed or reapplied.  But I have not had the problem with this eye liner. In fact, I wore it to a picnic the other day in very humid, 100 degree weather, and the makeup held up perfectly! I was so happy to look in the mirror when I got home and not find racoon eyes!
Finally, being on a budget I always have to consider the price of products. And I’m happy to report that these kits sell for just $16.50 in Wal-Mart stores and at Walmart.com.  For three great products, that price is unbeatable!

I’m so happy I had this opportunity to find this fabulous looking makeup that I can be confident wearing throughout the day! If you’re out doing some back to school shopping with the kids you should pick up your own CoverGirl Smoky Eye kit!

To help you try this makeup for yourself, MyBlogSpark has given me one $20 Walmart giftcard to give away to one Simply Sweet Home reader.
Giveaway Closed. Congrats to Doreen of Treasured Reviews!

-Jerri

Disclosure: To host this giveaway, I was given all three CoverGirl Smoky Eye Kits, along with a makeup artist chair, mirror, makeup bag, and tips from Molly Stern.  All products and the Walmart giftcard being given away as a prize were provided by MyBlogSpark. All the opinions expressed here are mine.

Instant Yogurt Smoothies

I’ve been drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks for almost 15 years now.  It was always such a perfectly delicious and quick snack to drink on the way to work or school.  Usually I drink the milk chocolate, but I actually love all the flavors. 
Over the past year I’ve also developed a love for Yoplait’s Yoplus Yogurt.  Strawberry is my favorite flavor, but I also enjoy the raspberry and the strawberry banana.   So I decided to combine these two breakfast treats into one quick and easy smoothie.  The result was sweet and delicious!
If you have a fruity treat to share with us, please send it in to me for Sweet Thursday by August 25.

Recipe for Yogurt Smoothie:

Ingredients:
1 4oz yogurt
3/4 cup milk
1 envelope Carnation Instant Breakfast mix (I used vanilla flavored.)

Directions: Blend together your milk and yogurt. Then add drink mix and blend to smooth. Makes one medium size smoothie. For an extra fruity, extra thick smoothie, add 1 to 2 oz.of fruit.

*Tip: This would also be a great smoothie to make with Whey Protein Powder or other powered drink mixes you may have on hand.

I’m linking up to these fabulous parties!

-Jerri

Friday Favorites – Week 23

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Welcome to Friday Favorites! I hope everyone has had a good week!  Before we get to this week’s featured posts, I wanted to remind you that I have a $40 CSN Stores giveaway going on right now, and I also launched a new giveaway on Wednesday for Bubble Chocolate! That stuff is seriously good, so if you’re a chocolate lover go enter! Giveaway links can be found at the top of my site.
Hope you enjoy this week’s featured posts! If you’re featured, please grab my featured button for you sidebar. Thanks!!

Coconut Butterscotch Cookies from Create With Joy
Fun Sticker Magnets from My Frugal Lifestyle

Healthy Homemade Chicken Tenders from Get Healthy Cheap
Cozy Cat Cushion from Marvelously Messy
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pudding in Edible Bowls from Mrs. Bettie Rocker
Can’t wait to see what your working on this week! Please link up below. Don’t forget to link back to me so that others can find this party, and please link up your actual post rather than your blog url so that we can easily find your post. Thanks for stopping by this week!

-Jerri

Bubble Chocolate Review & Giveaway

As the readers of this blog know, I love sweets, especially chocolate! So I was thrilled when I got the chance to sample some Bubble Chocolate .  Before I tell you how I liked this chocolate, I thought you’d be interested in how this product and company came in to being.
Bubble Chocolate’s Story:  “If you (like we) have had the good fortune of traveling outside the US from time to time, either on business or for pleasure, most likely you would have discovered one of our European neighbors’ most treasured taste experiences….bubbles-with-chocolate (technically known as aerated chocolate). Many years ago we developed a deep adoration for this chocolate’s unforgettable sensation. We kept waiting for it to arrive to the US shores. It never came. So we finally decided to take matters into our own hands to make it readily available to all discerning cocoa lovers in the US. From our families to yours enjoy the virtues of Bubble Chocolate® each and every day!”
Personally I’ve never been to Europe, but I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with people who have, who incidentally brought back some European chocolate. So I have tried it before, and it was beyond delicious. Learning that Bubble Chocolate was modeled after gourmet chocolates from Europe, made me even more excited to try it.  And let me tell you, Bubble Chocolate did not disappoint!
Bubble Chocolate is meant to be savored, so as instructed by their FAQ page, I broke off a small piece of chocolate at a time. You then pop it in your mouth and let it melt for a few seconds. As you begin to feel the bubbles soften, you begin to chew gently, and the chocolate grows moist and creamy.
The chocolate has a unique, smooth texture and a rich, creamy taste. I’ve been breaking off just one or two pieces at a time to eat, and it is a very satisfying snack and taste sensation!  Being a fan of milk chocolate, I especially loved this bar.  (No surprises there!) However, I was surprised by the pleasant taste of the dark chocolate bar.  Generally I’m not a big fan dark chocolate, but I actually enjoyed dark bar from Bubble Chocolate.
So obviously I love the concept behind this product, and even more so than that, I loved the taste! I would definitely recommend this chocolate to all my chocolate-loving friends.  You can purchase a case of Bubble Chocolate online via the Bubble Chocolate website or at any of these retailers near you.
Win it! Today I’m very excited to give some of you the chance to try Bubble Chocolate! 5 Simply Sweet Home readers will win a Dark Chocolate Bar and a Milk Chocolate Bar to sample.
Giveaway Closed.  Congrats to our winners from the following sites:  Beauty with Mary, Rockin Deals 4 You, Gothic Mist, More or Les(ley), and My Own Take on Things.

-Jerri

Disclosure: For hosting this giveaway, I was given 2 bars of Bubble Chocolate for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are mine.  Giveaway prizes are being provided by Bubble Chocolate

BBQ Stuffed Potatoes

Previously I’ve written about Big Bob Gibson’s barbeque on this blog.  It is a local restaurant here in my town, but you may have seen them on shows like Paula Deen, Rachel Ray, and The Today Show.  Or you may have seen their book: Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book: Recipes and Secrets from a Legendary Barbecue Joint
Anyway, we go to their restaurant about once a month for one of their famous Barbeque Stuffed Potatoes (like the one pictured above).  These things are so good!  And they’re huge! (I’ve never been able to eat a whole one in one sitting.) They’re so great that my husband says that people shouldn’t come to this area without trying it out.
I also attempt to make my own BBQ potatoes from time to time, although mine aren’t nearly as good as Big Bob’s. But still, it’s a good alternative when you can’t have the real thing. So if you ever have any pulled pork, beef, chicken, or turkey on hand, you should give this a try!

How to Make BBQ Stuffed Potatoes:

Ingredients:
Baking Potatoes
Butter/Margarine
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Sour Cream
Bacon Bits
Chives
Meat Choice, shredded (Pulled Pork, Chicken, Turkey, or Roast Beef)

Directions:  Cook your meat choice in a crock pot. (I usually just cook it in a little Dale’s Sauce (& water of course).  And I know sometimes my dad just seasons with salt/pepper and adds a little Coke.) You can also cook in a smoker if you have one, which would actually taste better and be more authentic.
Wrap your potatoes in foil and bake in the oven till done.  When done, pull back foil and cut potato down the middle. Add your butter, followed by your sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and chives.  Finally top with your cooked meat. 

You also top your potato with barbeque sauce if you wish. We buy Big Bob’s red sauce, which is on sale at their website, and that’s what my husband puts on his potatoes. (I eat mine “plain”, although I do love their white sauce on grilled chicken!)

I’m linking up at It’s a Blog Party, Blessed with Grace, Crazy Jayz  and some of these linky parties.

-Jerri

Friday Favorites – Week 22

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Happy Friday everyone! Friday Favorites will be a little different this week.  I’ve been incredibly busy the last couple of weeks, cleaning out our outbuilding (& getting ready for a yardsale).  And then this week, I’ve also been helping my dad clean up at his house, because he’s getting ready to sell it and move to a smaller place.  So with all this going on, I did not get a chance to visit all your posts. (I only managed to get around to about half of them, but I will try to catch up this next week!) 
Anyway, since I didn’t get around to everyone, and since I worked 10 hours today and only just got home a couple of hours ago, I decided to share some some things that I found the other day when I was looking for recipes for my ice cream social post.  I’ve discovered that Betty Crocker has a ton of great snack ideas for kids.  And with summer here, and the new school year just around the corner, I had bookmarked a few things to share here for later. But since I didn’t get around to all the Friday Favorites stuff, I’ve decided that later is going to be now!  So I hope you enjoy these fun (& easy!) snack ideas for kids!

I look forward to seeing all you posts this week.  Please link up with me below!
-Jerri

Sweet Thursday: Summer Edition

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Welcome to the Summer edition of Sweet Thursday! For those of you that are new here, Sweet Thursday is my monthly dessert carnival.  Readers are invited to submit their desserts to be featured here each month, and readers are also invited to link up their desserts via the linky tool below.  So sit back, enjoy this month’s featured treats, and link up one (or two or three) yourself!
Next Month’s Event:  The  Sweet Thursday theme for August is going to be Fruity Desserts.  This could be anything from Pound Cake served with strawberries, to a Lemon Meringue Pie, to blueberry muffins; just as long as it is somehow related to a fruit.  If you’d like to be featured in my post, please email your submission to me by August 24.  The linky event will start on Wednesday night, August 25. Hope to see you and your Fruity Treats there!
While you’re here please take a moment to go by and say hello to our contributors! Enjoy the party!
Sundae Bubble Crown & Cream Puffs from a little bit of everything
Cookies & Salsa from From Mess Hall to Bistro
Furnkies (Peanut Butter Bars) from Sugar Bee Craft Edition

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake from My Sweet & Savory

Lemon Blueberry Polenta Cake from Abundance on a Dime
Chocolate Brownie Waffles from a little bit of everything
Caramel Peanut Topped Brownie Cake from Comfy Cook Blog

French Vanilla Mousse from Simply Sweet Home
I can’t wait to see all the Sweet things you’re making this summer! Link up below.
-Jerri