About Heather Brickell

Teddy Bear Yogurt Bowls

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

Are you looking for a way to get the kiddos to eat more fruit? These Teddy Bear Yogurt Bowls are not only easy to prepare, but everyone in your house is sure to gobble them up!

Ingredients: 

  • Yogurt 
  • 3 Blueberries 
  • 3 Banana Slices 

Instructions:

  1. Pour the yogurt into a round bowl.
  2. Place 1 banana slice in each upper corner to create bear ears.
  3. Take two blueberries and place them onto the yogurt for eyes.
  4. Add the third banana slice onto the yogurt to create a bear nose & then place a blueberry on top.
  5. Enjoy!

Christmas M&M Bark

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

If you need an easy and yummy dessert to bring to your next holiday party, be sure to check out this Christmas M&M Bark. It only requires THREE ingredients!

CHRISTMAS M&M BARK

Ingredients 

  • 10oz Bag Chocolate Chips
  • Christmas M&M’s 
  • Cooking Spray 
  • Parchment Paper
  1. Turn stove onto medium heat. 
  2. Place chocolate chips into a pan. 
  3. Spray with cooking spray & stir the chocolate chips until they fully melt. 
  4. Pour the melted chocolate onto a piece of parchment paper.
  5. Place the Christmas M&Ms onto the chocolate.
  6. Place in the refrigerator to harden.
  7. Once the chocolate has fully hardened, break into pieces and enjoy! 

 

 

Gift Giving Made Easy with Groovy Groomsmen Gifts and Groovy Girl Gifts!

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. The items featured in this post were gifted to me in exchange for my honest review. Please see my disclosure policy)

The holidays are quickly approaching! I can hardly believe that we are once again headed in the the Christmas season! If you are like me, you will be searching for the perfect gift for everyone on your gift list. This year, why not give them something different? How about a nice bag for traveling or weekend getaways? Groovy Groomsmen Gifts and Groovy Girl Gifts has something for everyone!

Your guy will love this Muscle Duffle Bag. It is the perfect bag to stuff all of his favorite things into. It is strong, tough, versatile, and ready for all occasions. The Muscle Duffle works for anything, whether for overnight, travel, gym, work or sports. This tough bag features one large exterior pocket with a flap and 2 zipped side pockets, leather accents brass closures. This cool man sack also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and features two handles with leather connectors for easy carrying. It will last a lifetime for that guy that will put it through the wringer.  The Bag Also Features 2 Convenient Carry Handles, An Adjustable Shoulder Strap, And Leather Zip Pulls. I personally love that you can personalize this bag to make it even more special for the favorite guy in your life! 

Be sure to check out all of the items that Groovy Groomsmen Gifts offers. They have a wide assortment of bags, totes, backpacks and so much more.

For the special lady on your gift list, Groovy Girl Gifts has you covered! Whether it be a beautiful handbag, wallet, or tote, they offer accessories that every lady is sure to love! A woman’s outfit is not complete without the right accessories. Choosing the right accessories is an important task, and Groovy Girl Gifts makes it easy for you! 

I especiallly love this chic Nantucket Weekender bag. It is so roomy and the perfect getaway bag for long weekends. The Nantucket Weekender is made of 24 oz. canvas and features elegant vegan leather accents. Add a touch of personalization with an embroidered monogram. Dimensions: L 19″ H 13″ W 10″ It also features 4 inside pockets, and a front outside pocket for all of those travel necessities. 

Head on over to Groovy Girl GIfts to see what other handbags and accessories that they feature. Gift giving has never been easier this holiday season thanks to the personalized items available.

Pumpkin Patch Brownies

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

If you are looking for an easy yet delicious fall dessert to bring for Thanksgiving Dinner or an upcoming potluck, these Pumpkin Patch Brownies couldn’t be easier! They are put together with pre-made brownies so anyone can do it!

Pumpkin Patch Brownies 

Ingredients:

Pre-made brownies from the grocery store

Green Icing

Cany Pumpkins

 

Instructions:

  1. Take the green icing and swirl it around your brownie to create pumpkin vines.
  2. Place the candy pumpkins on the brownie using the green icing as a glue to create a pumpkin patch.
  3. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Sweet Onion Baked Chicken with RealSweet Onions + Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This post is sponsored by RealSweet Onions. All comments and opinions are my own.

Cancer.

It’s a word that we hope to never hear for ourselves or for those that we love.

When my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, I remember feeling scared and overwhelmed for her. We have known each other for well over 20 years, and she has been that friend to whom I can tell anything. In fact, we joke that we are Lucy and Ethel, and share such a special bond. She had listened to me through some difficult times in my life, and now it was my turn to do so. I knew that the challenges and difficulties that she would be faced with along her road to recovery would be difficult, but I would be there for her every step of the way.

It is hard to know how to respond to a friend with cancer; how do you help them; how do you talk to them about the situation? The most important thing that you can do for that friend or family member is by just being there for them. Find meaningful ways to help them along their journey. A card, flowers, a meal, whatever you can do to let that friend know that you are there for them during the darkest days of their life. Treat your friend with normalcy. Their diagnosis does not change the person that they are, and most certainly not your friendship.

Thankfully, my best friend is cancer free today. She is one of the strongest people that I know. She went through, chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, and even cancer in her thyroid. I know that these times were challenging for her, but she faced them with such dignity, strength, and grace. I am so thankful that we have many years of friendship ahead of us! I am also thankful for companies that help to bring awareness and support the fight against breast cancer.

Shuman Farms, RealSweet Onions are making a huge impact in the fight against breast cancer. Not only have they donated over $110,000 since 2009, but for the past 13 years, during the month of October, their entire line of onions goes pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. You can look for their special pink bags at your local grocery store. In addition, the stickers that you will see on the onions are also pink to show their support for a cause that has touched so many of their lives too. In addition to supporting and donating to the fight against breast cancer, RealSweet Onions also likes to educate their consumers on how to eat a nutritious diet filled with fruits and veggies to help fight diseases like cancer.

Did you know that sweet onions are filled with an excellent source of cancer-fighting antioxidants like quercetin and allicin? Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in sweet onions that helps zinc get to the center of your body’s cells, where it can then aid in preventing viruses from reproducing. Bring on the sweet onions!

I was so honored when asked to partner with RealSweet Onions, and to create a recipe with their delicious onions! Sweet Onion Baked Chicken couldn’t be easier to prepare, and it is sure to be a new favorite that your family will ask for again and again. If you love French Onion Soup, then you will love this dish! It tastes just like French Onion Soup with the addition of the chicken. Sop up all the juices in the pan with a nice crusty loaf of bread and you are all set! My three guys loved it, and there were no leftovers!

Sweet Onion Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

2 pounds sweet onions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

½ tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos

¾ teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

3-4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 bag of shredded mozzarella, provolone cheese blend

1/2 cup beef broth

Salt/pepper to taste

 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.

Add the onions and cook until tender and soft. You will want them to be almost caramelized and a light brown color. Add the Bragg Liquid Aminos. Stir and continue cooking for several minutes.

Add the garlic and thyme. Cook for another minute.

While the onions continue to cook, add the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Season with salt/pepper to taste.

Place the cooked onions in the baking dish with the chicken. Divide them evenly between the chicken breasts.

Pour the beef broth around the chicken.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on the top of the chicken and onions.

Bake at 350 degrees until chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and starting to get golden brown.

Serve and enjoy!

Celebrate Family Memories with Big Savings at Publix! #PublixFamily

This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own. 

I don’t have to tell you that life is super busy these days. Whether it be school activities, running errands, or getting projects done around the house, our days are constantly on-the-go! I appreciate the days when there is nothing on the calendar, and we can sit back as a family and relax.

Even though the days are busy, I try to make sure that our family enjoys conversation, good laughs, and delicious food around the dinner table each night. This is a great time for us to make memories and to catch up on all of the day’s activities. Thanks to Publix, mealtime can be stress-free and delicious with exclusive coupons included in the Family Celebrations Promotion. There are over $35 in coupons that can be found at GetTheSavings.com/Family-Celebrations, or you can find the Family Celebrations Booklet at your local Florida Publix store. These coupons are only valid 9/4-10/2/21, so you will need to act fast! Before you head to Publix, I would suggest that you check the entire list of coupons to help plan your shopping trip.

I am always trying to think “out of the box” when it comes to dinner ideas, so I was excited to see that one of the coupons in the Family Celebrations Booklet was for $1.50 off any Any One (1) Sir Kensington’s Product 8.45–20 oz. I spotted several varieties of Sir Kensingon’s Dressing & Marinades, and chose the Dijon Balsamic. Immediately, when I saw this product, I thought of how delcious the marinade would be on wings! Boy, was I right! These wings were delicious, crispy, and every bite was packed full of flavor. Did I mention that this recipe was super easy? 

I took a small bag of frozen chicken wings, and place the entire bottle of Sir Kensington’s Dijon Balsamic Marinade over them. I covered for several hours in the refrigerator then baked the wings in a 400 degree oven for around 25 minutes! Voila! I served with a salad and dinner was served!

Try this recipe and let me know what you think! In the meantime, head on over to GetTheSavings.com/Family-Celebrations and check out all of the money-saving coupons that are available!

Florida readers, be sure to keep an eye out in your Valpak envelope which contains more details on the Publix Family Celebrations promotion. 

Which items are you most excited to try during the Publix Family Celebrations promotion? 

Nominate a Deserving Teacher for the #GreatTeacherGiveback

This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

Can you believe that it is once again time for school to start? Is it just me or does it seem like the summer gets shorter every year?

As we are busily preparing to send our kids back to school this year, it’s important that we not forget about the teachers that will be teaching our children. Not only do they sacrifice their time, but most teachers also give of their own money to ensure that their classroooms are ready for their students.

Teachers often have to provide their own supplies, decorations, and even books. In a recent study it was estimated that they average teacher spends over $500 out of their own pocket for these items. That is a lot of extra cash that many teachers may not have. Even as a part-time paraprofessional educator at my school, there are supplies and items that I purchase with my own money. Items like rewards, school supplies, and even extra-curricular work can really add up.

In addition, many students will come to school with only a fraction of the items that are listed on their school supply list. A majority of schools do not provide their teachers with funds for school supplies, so this means that the teacher will have to provide those items for the students. An extra $500 a year can be overwhelming for many teachers, so any extra funds are definitely helpful.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to give back to a deserving teacher? How would you like to nominate a teacher that you know to help them get funds for their classroom? Thanks to the generous folks at Savings.com and the #GreatTeacherGiveback, FOUR deserving teachers will each win $500 for their classroom! Teachers, you can also nominate yourself for this giveback! Simply head on OVER HERE to the nomination page and fill out the requested information. Nominations will remain open until August 19. 

Good luck teachers, and thank you for all that you do!

 

 

DIFF: Eyewear for a Cause

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

I love sharing new companies with my readers, particularly those companies who are doing good and giving back to those in need. DIFF Eyewear, a company that provides high-quality eyewear without hidden costs, is doing amazing things by giving back to individuals in need around the world. In fact, since 2015, DIFF has donated over 1,500,000 pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need around the world! I absolutely love their mission of using fashion as a force for good. 

If you are looking for quality eyewear, look no further than DIFF. They use premium materials and maintain exceptionally high standards for quality and social responsibility. They eyewear from DIFF is designed right in their Southern California studio, and each pair of frames is handmade with care. 

DIFF offers a wide array of eyewear products for Men, Women and Kids, including: Sunglasses, Blue Light, and Prescription glasses. Sometime when you purchase prescription eyeglasses online it can be tricky, but at DIFF they make it easy! With your up-to-date glasses prescription in hand, you can choose from their wide variety of stylish glasses to find a pair that best fits your style and everyday life. After you choose what style of prescription glasses best suits you, you will need to decide on a prescription lens. Your choices of lenses include: single vision, reading glasses, polarized sunglasses, or photochromic glasses. In just a few more quick steps you will be on your way to the perfect pair of prescription glasses shipped right to your door! 

Why not enjoy a new pair of glasses from DIFF Eyewear while giving back to help those in need?

Dive Into College Savings with a Florida 529 Savings Plan!

Help your children dive into their future dreams and goals with help from a Florida 529 Savings Plan! Use promo code SWEET529 and $50 will be contributed to your account. This post is sponsored by Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please see my disclosure policy.

When you stop to think about your child’s future education how does it make you feel? Are you nervous, anxious, excited? I would be lying if I told you that I wasn’t anxious about Drew heading off to college in just a few short years. I start thinking about all the “what-ifs” and wonder, “Are we ready for the future?” “Are we financially prepared for this huge investment into our son’s life?” I am happy to tell you that the answer is YES! We feel empowered and in control with this decision thanks to help from Florida Prepaid College Plans.

Preparing for your child’s future education doesn’t have to be scary. What if I told you that with one small step you could open so many possibilities and happiness for your children? When you open a Florida 529 Savings Plan, you can rest assured in knowing that your child can have a debt-free future ahead of them. A Florida 529 Savings Plan is the easy and affordable way to save for college. I am also happy to tell you that the Florida 529 Savings Plan has been ranked as one of the nation’s top-10 performing 529 Savings Plans by savingforcollege.com! This fabulous news is sure to give you that “529 Feeling!”

I have some exciting news that will have you diving into the waves of summer! Through August 15, when you open a Florida 529 Savings Plan and use promo code SWEET529, Florida Prepaid will seed your account with $50 in free money! That is double the amount that they offered last year! This means that there really is no reason to hold off on planning and saving for the future.

My Top FIVE Top Reasons Why You Should Open a Florida 529 Savings Plan:

  1. The Florida 529 Savings Plan is a low fee and tax-free way to save for college. Unlike a savings account or mutual fund that is going to get hit with income taxes, your contributions toward your 529 Savings Plan will earn interest and will not be taxed when the money is taken out to pay for college or other qualified education. Investment earnings are not taxed if they are used for these expenses, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies.

 

  1. The Florida 529 Savings plan is by Florida, for Florida. While you may use this plan at any institution (even outside of Florida), the Plan is only for Florida residents. Florida Prepaid makes saving for college easy and exclusive just for Florida families. This is yet another perk to living here in the Sunshine State!

 

  1. It is free and simple to sign up for a Florida 529 Savings Plan. Not only has Florida Prepaid made saving for college easy and simple, but they have redesigned their website so that it is user-friendly. This means that planning for your family’s savings goals is even easier than before! Florida Prepaid wants to ensure that every Florida family can save affordably for college. Be sure to use the Saving Tool on the website to see just how easy that you can watch your savings and investments grow! You can also choose from three investment paths. I would suggest that you pick the path that best suits your family: simple, intermediate, and advanced. The simple, or age-based portfolio is the most popular investment option and is fully managed. I love that Florida Prepaid handles all the details!

 

  1. The Florida 529 Savings Plan is very flexible! I don’t know about you, but flexibility while planning towards the future is a key factor in our family’s decision making. I love that this plan allows our family to save WHAT we can WHEN we can as our budget allows. Even the smallest amounts saved now can add up to so much possibility towards our kid’s futures! Did you know that just $25 a month can grow to nearly $9,000 over 18 years? Every amount really does add up to let you meet your savings goals.

 

  1. The Florida 529 Savings Plan can be used toward qualified K-12 expenses. Say what? Yes! Many people don’t realize that your Florida 529 Savings Plan can be used for up to $10,000 annually on qualifying K-12 expenses such as tuition and mandatory fees associated with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious schools.

Statistics have shown that children who have even a small amount of money saved toward their college education are 2.5 times more likely to graduate from college. What are you waiting for? Dive into savings and start planning for your children’s future this summer! Remember, you can get $50 for FREE contributed to your account when you sign up for a Florida 529 Savings Plan and use promo code SWEET529. You must HURRY though as this promo is only good through August 15!

Be sure to follow Florida Prepaid College Plans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to stay up to date with information on open enrollment, tips and promotional offers.

6 Hacks For The Budget Conscious Mom

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

As a Mom, we hope that we can do it all but when it comes to moving, the reality is that you can’t. While it might be extremely easy to think of all the things that could go wrong or already begin to daydream about what your new life in a new city will look like, you first need to figure out how you are going to get everyone and your belongings there in one peace. When it comes to moving, there are few hacks that can make it easier for you! 

Image: 24/7 Logistic Services

  1. Declutter It All – A simple way to help you stay on task, organized and ready to move is by decluttering what you won’t need for your move. Go through each room with a trash bag and put items in that you haven’t used, touched or seen in at least 6 months. Once that is done, donate your items to a local charity, church, neighbor or put it up on Facebook Market to see who you can help in need. This will also help the hassle of trying to pack everything and really just the items you want or need for your next move.

2. Color Coding– To stay organized with so many items, color coding is one of the best things you can do to look at things from a glance instead of writing on boxes. Pick a color that you want to use. For example, you could pick the color pink and designate all boxes that are pink to be the kitchen. Have a diagram to give the movers that has each room color coding so they know what color box to put in each room. An easy way to do this is with post it notes! Then when you get to the new house, tape that color post it note on each door to let the movers know what goes where! 

3. Protect Glassware with clothes or dishtowels – If you have ever traveled with breakable items, you want to make sure they are well protected. One way to do so and by not having to spend a lot of money ( or waste a lot of newspapers ) is by using clothes to help you pack your glass valuables. Wrap your glassware in a sweatshirt or long t-shirts and place them gently in the box to protect them. If you don’t want to use your clothes, you can also use your dish towels as well! Especially when wrapping kitchenware, then it’s two products in one room!  

4. Use A Toilet Paper Roll For Cords –  If you have multiple cords for your computers, laptops, phone chargers and iPads, the worst thing you can do is try and throw them all together in a box and attempt to untangle them later. One way to help with this problem is by wrapping your cords up but then placing them in a toilet paper roll for safekeeping and for keeping your cords bending the correct way too. 

5. Save Boxes From Past Online Orders-  One way to help yourself save money on boxes and packing materials is saving any that you’ve received from any online orders. If you aren’t one to shop online, check any restaurants or liquor stores that have any free ones for you to use in the box. They usually just cut them down when they are done but several are wanting to get rid of them or put them to good use! 

6. Call In The Professionals: Once the boxes, bags, and items are all packed away, color-coded and ready to go, call a professional to help you move them all into a truck. One company that can assist you with this is called 24/7 Logistic Services. The friendly staff can handle all of your belongings with ease. While many moving companies may charge high rates for sub-par services, they go above and beyond providing exceptional service and affordable rates for your move. Hiring these Hollywood, Florida long-distance movers are there to make it easier for you and your family. If you don’t want to do all the packing and unpacking yourself, they also offer not only a truck but boxes, tape, label and organize them within your home and then deliver them to your new location safely. 

Some other suggestions include putting important documents in a safe space such as your purse or file cabinet that can be locked. To help you get rid of some items quickly, you can host a garage sale in your neighborhood which also can give you some extra cash to use. If possible, try not to move during peak times ( aka the summer ) for cost reasons as it can be extremely expensive to do so and many moving companies are in high demand. Whatever your choice of packing or hiring someone or family to help, the move will go as smooth as possible. Focus on the experience and your new journey together.