Score Great Gifts for the Coffee-Lover During the Black Friday Blowout Sale from Cross Country Cafe!

Although there will be piles of electronics and boxes and boxes of toys purchased for holiday gifts this season, that doesn't mean that there aren't other options available.

What about the family member that doesn't need or want a new tablet? How about the grown up child who is past the age of toys and instead could use items for their first apartment? Maybe you have a wonderful friend that has been there for you through thick and thin and you'd like to surprise her with something that would make her eyes light up with joy?

For many of us, the answer is coffee.

I know there are those of you out there that don't drink coffee (whaaa?) but for those of us who do, a gift pertaining to this magical beverage is a gift well-received and well-loved.

So, get to shopping and get to Cross Country Cafe for some great deals!

I have mentioned Cross Country Cafe once or twice or 100 times in the past and, if you're still shopping for coffee somewhere else online, then apparently I just can't help you. This family-owned, nationally authorized distributor of Keurig K-cup coffees and brewers strives to deliver quality coffee (a huge selection!) at incredibly low prices, so why go elsewhere?

But as well as offering awesome everyday deals with great customer service, Cross Country Cafe is the place to go for coffee-themed gifts as well.

They have sampler packs, variety bundles, monthly delivery options, absolutely adorable gift baskets...

...and a massive Black Friday Blowout sale going on RIGHT NOW where you can save even more money!

Every weekday this month, Cross Country Cafe has been posting a new deal and will continue to do so through Cyber Monday, December 1st. Shoppers who are taking advantage of these offers have been enjoying unbelievable savings on great gift items (coffees, teas, accessories, travel mugs and more top sellers) so where have you been??

But if you really want to knock your gift recipient's socks off, then you have to jump on the grand finale blowout sale item which just went live this morning for Black Friday shopping.

It's a great gift and provides everything a coffee lover needs to enjoy their favorite brews morning, noon and night, it's the...

The Keurig K-Cup Brewer and Coffee Starter Package is truly the best! This compilation includes (1) B145 Keurig K-cup brewer, (1) counter top lazy susan storage carousel and (44) Keurig K-cups consisting of a variety of flavors and roasts, which is already a great deal at $180. But right now, for Black Friday, you'll get ALL of these items on sale for $170!

With the holidays right around the corner, head to Cross Country Cafe today to pick up any of their amazing gifts, as there are options both big and small to fit your needs and budget.

And remember, if you're not sure what gift will work best or what flavor your friends and family prefer, then simply opt for a Cross Country Cafe gift card (which can be purchased in any amount between $5 and $400)... and are right now on sale, too!!

Happy shopping!

As a Cross Country Cafe Ambassador, I have been provided with products in exchange for my continued work with their company and affiliate links are included in the above post. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Enjoy Endless Deliciousness and Upscale Ambiance at Innovation Restaurant {#ReviewCrew}

I think it's pretty safe to say that the larger the group of people, the more difficult it is to choose a restaurant, right? One person wants pizza, another wants steak, the third has a hankering for a big plate of spaghetti, yet another has a taste for salad...

But if there is one meal that can bring everyone together and make them all happy, it has to be Sunday Brunch. If there is a person out there that isn't excited about the prospect of classic breakfast dishes like waffles and bacon mixed with tasty pastries, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, made-to-order omelets, carved prime rib, smoked salmon, delectable desserts and more... well, then I haven't met them yet.

Recently, I was introduced to a location that offered all of that (plus more) when my extended family gathered for a birthday celebration at Innovation Restaurant in Wauwatosa, WI.

Conveniently located attached to a Crowne Plaza Hotel, Innovation Restaurant is the perfect place to gather, dine and celebrate for all occasions. The combination of the contemporary décor, the upscale ambiance and the wide selection of menu items, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres truly means that there is something for everyone.

Visit for an intimate date, an evening of drinks with friends or a flavorful family meal and the genuine, attentive service and tasty, inventive cuisine will leave you satisfied, full and ready to return again.

As for us, we stepped inside Innovation and did notice that the atmosphere was impeccably stylish and modern...

...but were immediately distracted by the buffet.

Because at Innovation, the Sunday Buffet is an endless spread of yummmmm.

Think I'm exaggerating?

There are platters and platters of pastries next to plates of cheeses and crackers, veggies and dip...

...next to hot spinach dip, a mixed fruit salad, smoked salmon and jumbo shrimp.

But that's only the first table.

Take a few more steps and your eyes can't help but grow at the full salad bar that is laid out next to more fruit, granola and milk, small boxes of cereal, granola bars of all kinds, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles and potatoes.

I have to admit that by the time I reached the waffles, my plate was already full (to overflowing).

Which just made me sad when I realized that I hadn't even gone past the remaining tables yet! How could I sit down without even having a chance to try the carved prime rib, vegetables and rice, variety of breads (and toaster), or make-my-own omelet?

All in all, everything from the fruit to the veggies to the meats to the classic breakfast foods (except the waffles were a little dry, that was the only complaint!) at this Sunday Brunch made our visit to Innovation positive for all of us. All of the staff that we interacted with were very pleasant and the overall atmosphere is chic yet casual. It made for a great birthday celebration location!

For more information about Innovation, visit InnovationRestaurant.com where you can view their full menu and even make a reservation online. To find out about all of the money-saving options that Restaurant.com has to offer in your area (or in an area that you are planning to visit), head over to Restaurant.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

As a member of the Restaurant.com Review Crew, I have been provided gift cards and compensation in order to facilitate my reviews. However, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Let Your Personalities Shine this Season with Items From Your Target Wedding Registry! {$25 Target Gift Card Giveaway}

As the temperatures continue to drop and the holiday season grows nearer and nearer, for most of us the kitchen becomes the heart of activity in our homes. From gathering with family to sit down for a tasty meal to hanging out with friends to enjoy a drink, our lives tend to center around staying warm and keeping our bellies full and happy!

For many couples who have recently tied the knot this past spring and summer, what better way for them to learn a little bit about cooking (and one another!) than by testing out some new and adventurous recipes that let both of their unique personalities shine? From a tranquil dinner for two to a decked out Thanksgiving spread, grab the tools and ingredients and it's time to feast!

Which is why right now is the perfect time for all of the couples who are still in the planning stages of their wedding to be sure to head to their nearest Target to browse, sign up and fill their Target Wedding registry!

From home decor to games and electronics to items for entertaining (and everything in between), Target's wedding registry allows users to add anything from the store or Target.com to their wishlist. Why not start your new life together with all of the everyday essentials, necessities, splurges and things you'll both really use and love?

But, along with the practicality, ease and convenience, registering at Target can also help couples bring both of their personalities to their Thanksgiving spread this year. Why not make your holiday a little more unforgettable and incredible just by using fantastic items your thoughtful guests purchased from your registry?

Step one, register for gorgeous and useful Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware and the Calphalon Kitchen Essentials 20pc Utensil & Gadget Set and the two of you will be perfectly prepared to whip up all sorts of delectable dishes to wow your guests!

But you're going to need a beautiful way to serve up your tasty meal, right?

Step two, register for a Threshold Bistro Ceramic 16-Piece Dinnerware Set and the Libbey 12 Piece Red And White Wine Stemless Glassware set and your table will be ready to be set!

What's left to top off your epic Thanksgiving? Creating the ambiance, of course!

Step three, simply turn on your SONOS PLAY: 5 Wireless HiFi System to play some relaxing, holiday music and place a collection of Threshold Red Mercury Glass Pillar Candle Holders on the table and around your home and you'll have set the scene for a warm, memorable evening.

While my husband and I have had a variety of wonderful Thanksgiving experiences over the years, one that stands out in my mind was back in 2007 when Big Sister E was just over one year old.

We had such a great time getting together with family and getting to see our little one excited about the gathering, the food and the overall fun of the holiday!

No matter if you have Thanksgiving plans that are large and lavish or small and intimate, be sure to keep a Target Wedding registry in mind so that your family and friends can help you and your new spouse bring both of your personalities to the holiday. Your guests can shop in-store or online, returns and exchanges are simple, and you even end up with a bonus savings day after your wedding to pick up any items left at a discount.

Find out more about all of Target's great registry options by visiting Target.com or visiting your local Target store today!

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to plan their next holiday in style, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 Target gift card!

Entry-Form

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.

Shopping Online? Save Money and Earn Cash Back at FreeShipping.com! {#LoveFreeShipping}

Although I know that there was shopping back before we had the internet, sometimes I just have to shake my head because it seems hard to believe. Did I really have to get in the car and just drive to the store to browse to make a purchase? Or, if I knew what I was going to get, I had to basically keep my fingers crossed that the size/color would be in stock?

It really is no surprise that online shopping has become such a popular choice, as the savings, vast array of options, and overall convenience really can't be beat... particularly for holiday shopping and getting to skip the crowds, lines and hassle!

But what if it was possible to save even more money this shopping season? If by simply going about your online shopping as you normally would could actually result in getting cash back delivered straight to your door? Then you would want to start making your purchases from all of your favorite retailers right through FreeShipping.com!

Providing members 10% cash back on purchases made at over 1,000 top retailers — for instance, Walmart, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Best Buy, ProFlowers, and more — FreeShipping.com also offers free shipping, free returns, and price protection (which pays members the difference in price if they purchase an item and find it advertised for less within 90 days).

Saving on all your online shopping and shipping needs through FreeShipping.com couldn't be any easier as members simply log in, click on any participating retailer's offer, and make their purchases as they normally would.

As soon as the retailer ships the item, FreeShipping.com applies 10% of the total purchase (minus taxes and other fees) to the member's Savings Center account, where members can track their cash-back and rebate earnings over time. At the end of every calendar quarter, cash-back earnings over the previous three months are tallied and members receive a check for their earnings.

We're talking free money here, People! From the sites where you are already shopping!

But, wait. There's more! The 10% cash-back offer is just one of many money-saving benefits available to FreeShipping.com members, including:

• A search tool that instantly compares the prices of any of over 100 million items sold by the cash-back retailers, so members can get the best possible deal.

• Coupons that provide free shipping codes and links, as well as other retailer savings offers that members can claim right at checkout.

• Shipping Rebates that pay members back if they're charged shipping fees on purchases made through FreeShipping.com.

• Return Shipping Rebates that cover the charges if a member ever needs to return any online purchase — for any reason.

What more could you ask for? Great deals, money-saving coupons, rebates, returns and a 10% cash-back offer, which is a bigger discount on online purchases than any other subscription program around.

So, this holiday season whether you're shopping for items for the chef in your life...

or the fitness enthusiast...

or just for the items that are topping wishlists everywhere...

it just makes sense to head to FreeShipping.com first!

Ready to give it a try for yourself? Right now enter the coupon code HOLIDAY2014 at FreeShipping.com and you'll receive a free 30-day trial and a discounted monthly membership rate of $9.95/month after the 30-day free trial ends.

As if you needed even more of an excuse, FreeShipping.com will be offering 20% cash back at five different retailers per day from Black Friday (November 28) through Cyber Monday (December 1). Some participating retailers include Walmart, QVC, Sears, Children's Place, Gap, and Nordstrom, so don't miss out on the chance to get even more free money back simply for doing your online shopping!

Find out much more (and sign up to become a member) at FreeShipping.com and by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Innovation with Roominate {Review & Giveaway}

A simple stroll through the toy section in any box store reveals the "girl aisle" that is pink, pretty and passive, while the "boy aisle" is blue, intelligent and action-packed. Why is that? Why are we not encouraging the next generation of girls with their development of spatial skills, hands-on problem solving skills, and confidence with technology as much as boys?

In the US, less than 15% of women enter college intending to major in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) field, so it can be argued that all the years of hosting tea parties and playing with dolls might lead girls down a different future path?

Fortunately, companies are beginning to realize the importance of encouraging and inspiring the future of female innovators and engineers. Instead of simply sitting back and hoping that girls will decide to play with traditionally "boy" toys on their own, it's time to revolutionize the way that we motivate girls to look at the world with Roominate.

Created by two female friends who met in the master's engineering program at Stanford, Roominate is a stackable and customizable line of wired building systems that inspire open-ended and hands-on play. By using motor and light circuits, modular pieces and universal joints, Roominate manages to blend building, circuits, design, crafts, storytelling, and creativity to kids all while they play.

Young users end up building just about anything that their heart desires in their unique and original rooms, both big and small. Even better? Once the creating is done for the day, it can all be taken apart and remade into something completely new and different next time, essentially leading to endless creative possibilities!

As Roominate products are available now in a variety of sets and kits, I was looking forward to seeing what my own girls would think of these innovative new toys with the arrival of the Roominate Studio.

Including 70 pieces of all shapes, sizes and colors, the Roominate Studio allows girls (ages 6+) to completely design their own personalized studio... and then accessorize it exactly as they wish.

As soon as we started removing the pieces from the box, it was already easy to see how this one toy could help encourage my girls' STEM knowledge as they assembled, disassembled, built and rebuilt time and again.

I have to admit, one look at the four wall/floor panels, the 16 connectors and the 24 furniture building pieces and I was itching to start building my own studio!

However, even as I held back, it was great to see my girls' creations come together little by little and just how much creativity and imagination went into their designs. Once they had learned about and gotten to know Alice and her puppy Harrie...

It was time to start building for them. The girls' rooms started out simple, as they realized how easy it was to pop together the panels and connectors...

...but then turned more elaborate as they began to stretch their minds to test the possibilities.

But the main structure of the studio itself is just the beginning, as the building pieces soon started to take shape into tables, chairs, desks, shelves, beds, dressers and much more.

It's great how Roominate gives all sorts of ideas for inspiration (with even more online) as well as a large group of paper accessories such as curtains, tools and books that can be cut out and included in the studio as well!

As an extremely fun and educational bonus, using the very simple motor, switch and battery pack (requires two AAA batteries, not included), kids are able to build and wire a working fan, washing machine, circular saw, carousel and more!

In the end, it has been eye-opening and amazing to see the various creations that my girls have made and I can see how Roominate really only needs the included building pieces and an imagination to provide entertainment and learning over and over again.

Although it can be argued that just about any toy has benefits and encourages kids to practice a variety of skills (e.g. small motor, creativity, reading, etc), there is a smaller number that truly manage to inspire... and Roominate is one of them!

You can find out much more about the full line of Roominate products by visiting RoominateToy.com and by connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. The Roominate Studio retails for $29.99 and would easily be a unique, thought-provoking, fun toy for any young girl this holiday season and beyond!

And, thanks to the generosity of Roominate, one person will soon see just how much the girl(s) in their life enjoys building, creating and wiring as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Roominate Studio!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to Roominate for providing a Roominate Studio for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Make Entertaining Easy and Delicious with Cuisine Adventures {#DivasCuisine}

When it comes to hosting family meals or gatherings of friends for the holidays, I always feel as though I underestimate the amount of work required. It's just making a few dishes, throwing together a playlist, and straightening up a little bit, right?

Uh, no.

On top of the amount of time that it takes to get our house to a level of clean that is presentable, somehow the fact that I only have two hands (and one oven) escapes me until there I am washing, chopping, peeling, mixing, dicing, mashing, stuffing and more in an attempt to get enough food made before the doorbell rings.

Therefore, when I'm introduced to a company that specializes in making chef quality appetizers that everyday folks like me can pull out of our freezers whenever we want, I'm all ears. Who wouldn't want a way to add exceptionally high quality holiday menu items to their table in an extra easy way?

That's why this year I'm letting the professional and talented chefs at Cuisine Adventures help do my cooking for me!

Founded in Montreal in 1981, Cuisine Adventures is an internationally successful frozen food manufacturer that offers soups, dips, meals and snacks — with a new, limited holiday product launch in Costco stores in the Midwest.

Sure, you could spend hours upon hours making plate after plate of appetizers to wow your guests... or you could reach for a box from Cuisine Adventures to pop into the oven or microwave. Each item contains only fresh, wholesome ingredients and then is flash frozen to provide a freshly prepared taste that duplicates the quality you would strive for if you were cooking it from scratch.

Again, why would I not want to set out dishes of amazing appetizers that taste as good (if not better) than homemade when all I had to do was put them into the oven?

We were excited to have a pre-holiday sampling of a selection of delicious Cuisine Adventures items and, when the Fruit and Cheese Phyllo Collection, Spanakopita and French Onion Soup arrived, it was definitely time to eat!

Yum, yum and yum!

The Fruit and Cheese Phyllo Collection contains three snack combinations — Cranberry Brie, Apple Cheddar and Mango Goat Cheese — wrapped in phyllo and ready to pop into the oven right out of the box.

Make one or make them all, these snacks bake up crispy, flaky and delicious in less than 15 minutes and are ready to be plated and eaten for a sweet, gooey, fruity-cheesy, melt in your mouth flavor combination. Mmm!

I was especially eager to try the Spanakopita, as it is one of the Greek foods that my mom has made from scratch for as long as I can remember (I also helped her and my aunt make it once and the number of steps and ingredients and amount of time that it took was staggering).

Instead, Cuisine Adventures provides four trays of frozen Spanakopita right in the box so that you can pull out the exact number of the little spinach and feta cheese triangles to be heated to serve.

In approximately 20 minutes, the outside pastry layers were toasted up nice and brown and the spinach and feta in the inside was hot and flavorful. These were almost too easy to make and extremely tasty to eat!

Finally, soup lovers everywhere know that recreating an authentic, bistro-style French Onion Soup is not an easy feat. I have to admit that I had a few doubts, as Cuisine Adventures' frozen soup cylinders were, well, a hard block of frozen soup.

However, I followed the cooking instructions and let it heat in the oven for 40 minutes (there is also a microwave option as well as a microwave + oven option if you'd rather save time) and was pleased to find that the result really was a steaming bowl of slowly simmered fresh onions, real Swiss cheese and croutons.

Overall, I'm thrilled that we were introduced to Cuisine Adventures and I plan on keeping an eye out for these three varieties (as well as more from the collection) during my next Costco shopping trip. These couldn't be easier and are the perfect addition to any holiday table!

No matter if you prefer sweet or savory, salty or luscious, they have options that will satisfy every taste bud that are a snap to make and won't leave you feeling guilty. Many of their products are vegetarian, contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and more!

Find out more about how Cuisine Adventures can make a difference at your next gathering, meal or party by visiting CuisineAdventuresFoods.com and by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter. And, if you're fortunate to live in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Nebraska or Missouri, head to your nearest Costco today!

This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Cuisine Adventures. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Wonder Forge Disney Frozen and Palace Pets Games {Review & Giveaway}

Although there are kids that like action toys and there are kids that prefer educational toys, one category that brings them all together is games.

Card games, board games, guessing games, dice games — there's something about the fun, laughter, strategy and thinking involved that not only boosts brainpower but creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Around here, Big Sister E and Little Sister B absolutely adore playing games and it is a nightly occurrence that one or both of them will ask Do we have time to play a game? in a hopeful voice, glancing at the clock to see if there are a few spare minutes before bedtime.

While pulling out a complicated, time-consuming, strategy-filled game like Monopoly or Clue would end up with confusion and hurt feelings, we instead turn to one of our favorite companies, Wonder Forge, to consistently provide games that feature gorgeous artwork, easy-to-follow instructions and the promotion of matching, creativity, imaginative and even active play.

A Seattle company that creates good-for-you games that promote active play and teamwork for children and families, Wonder Forge preschool games boost self-confidence by giving kids a chance to discover what they can do.

Featuring beloved characters and games that have kids running, sliding, hiding, seeking, sorting, stretching, and exploring, these entertaining, engaging games are the perfect alternatives to TV and video games.

And we couldn't have been much more excited to see our favorite characters and pets in a collection of new games from Wonder Forge! After all, what better way to put a modern twist on classic games than with the colorful, personable characters of Frozen and the adorable, luxurious Palace Pets?

An all-encompassing, best-of-all-worlds way to play just about anything with the Frozen cast, Disney Frozen 6-in-1 Games (MSRP $16.99 from Target or Amazon) allows players to choose their favorite classic game and give it a modern, fun twist.

Right away I could tell that my girls were going to flip seeing their favorite Disney characters as well as that there were six games possible all in one box. How were they going to choose between Bingo, Crazy 8's, Go Fish, Four-in-a-row, Dominoes and Matching when they all looked like so much fun?

Featuring an array of brightly colored, beautifully drawn pieces showing Anna and Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, Hans and more, the Disney Frozen 6-in-1 Game is just the thing to make any fan of the hit movie even more excited!

Switching between the game options is a snap and whether you're playing Bingo with multiple people or simply timing yourself to try to beat the clock in Matching (the traditional Memory game), each method of play keeps players engaged and having fun.

Continuing with the Frozen theme, the Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game (MSRP $11.99 from Target or Amazon) leads players through exquisitely illustrated terrains on a surprise-filled race to Elsa's Ice Palace.

While at first glance this game bears a resemblance to the classic Candyland (except set in Arendelle featuring the snow monster Marshmallow instead of Gumdrop Mountains and a Molasses Swamp), Surprise Slides includes an innovative addition that makes it a new and different game each time it is played.

Simply flick the spinner and, depending on where it lands, the four removable panels from the board may be rotated to another spot or flipped over to create an entirely new set of shortcut slides and paths (which may move the player forward or backward)!

We love the way that Surprise Slides truly provides surprises by having the various enchanting locations mix and flip. You just never know when players are going to suddenly twist and turn and end up in a different location than they were and that adds to the laughter, fun and suspense each time we pull out the board!

Finally, when we're not hanging out with the Frozen cast, Disney Palace Pets Royal Pet Salon (MSRP $19.99 from Toys 'R' Us or Amazon) provides a unique, imaginative way to get regally pampered with four princess pets.

I can't think of another game that compares to this one in terms being so adorable and filled with girly details as this unique "search and find" Palace Pets game.

The concept itself is simple and easy for young kids to understand, as players take their turn with the spinner to find out if they will flip a card or move their character and attempt to look for hidden items around the different salon rooms.

And these salon rooms aren't plain drawings by any means, they are extremely detailed, very colorful and a whole lot of fun! Who knew that looking for fancy soaps and shampoos, tiaras, collars, sweet treats and more could be so engaging?

We've had a great time just pointing out new aspects that we have never seen before!

If you're looking for a captivating game that the children in your life are sure to enjoy this holiday season, visit WonderForge.com (and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter) to see their expanding product line and the education and entertainment that they can bring to your home.

With everything from active, adventurous play for little pirates to action-packed games of teamwork and special powers to just about everything in between, you're sure to find the award-winning games that the boys and girls in your life will enjoy for quite some time to come. I couldn't be happier that my girls are practicing positive game-playing skills while, at the same time, having such a good time with their favorite Disney characters!

And, thanks to the generosity of Wonder Forge, one person will be able to provide the child in their life with an entertaining, good time as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game from Wonder Forge!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to Wonder Forge for providing the three above games for me for review as well as the Disney Frozen Surprise Slides Game for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.