Deal Alert! $5 off TOMS Shoes

Who doesn’t love or want a good pair or two of TOMS? So cute, so comfortable, and so many styles and colors to choose from! TOMS has great shoes for everyone in the family–including babies and kids! Plus we love their One for One campaign: For every pair of TOMS purchased one pair of shoes will be donated to child in need. Win, win!

{Aren’t these Classic Crochet TOMS fab?!}

Now you can save $5 off your next purchase with these two promo codes:

SAVINGSNTOMS5 and RMNNTOMS5

These codes are good online only.

Thanks to RetailMeNot.com for the great codes!

Deal Alert! Shoe Carnival Coupon: Get $5, $10, or $15 off Your Next Purchase!

Every woman loves a great new pair of shoes–or two, or three! Now you can get a great new pair for spring at a super price with a great coupon offer from Shoe Carnival. You can shop in stores or online for a  savings that will be either a $5, $10, or $15 with the coupon {your savings is a surprise}!

Shoe Carnival states on their site:

“Print your coupon to save an additional $5, $10 or $15 off your purchase of $29.98 or more in-store, on top of great sale prices. Or, shop online and once your total reaches $29.98, the Surprise Savings will be automatically applied at checkout.“

What are you waiting for? Get your online coupon/in store coupon now!

Product Review: Pedialyte Powder Packs

Every mom dreads when their child catches the ugly stomach bug/flu. Even worse is when you need something to hydrate your child and it’s the middle of the night and you have nothing offer but fruit juice. While that is an okay solution, if you talk to any Pediatrician they will you the best way to hydrate your child during illness is Pedialyte. We’ve found an even better Pedialyte product, the Pedialyte Powder Packs.

I’ve always been fan of Pedialyte to help with hydration during sickness, but straight out of the bottle, my kids were never really a fan. I really wasn’t either. The grape flavor just didn’t sit well with me. On top of the odd taste, we rarely ever used a entire liter bottle during one stomach flu, so the remainder would expire while sitting the fridge.

I was so happy last spring when I spotted the Pedialyte Powder Packs at the drug store. These little packs come in super handy during those middle of the night “surprise-I’m-sick” sessions.  Even better, they came in fruit punch flavor which happens to smell and taste great! These packs have saved me on more than on occasion in the past year!

They can be purchased in packs of 4 or 8 and usually do not expire until a year or later from the date of purchase–BONUS!  To use, simply mix the pack with 8 oz. of cold water and your child can sip on the drink and hydrate in the process.

The favorite flavor at our house is fruit punch, but it is also available in apple, strawberry, and grape. To get a coupon and start saving on this great Pedialyte product and more click here.

All thoughts expressed in this blog are the opinion of SharpMoms.com. SharpMoms was not paid by Pedialyte to endorse this product.

What We Love Right Now April 11, 2012: Chicken Enchiladas {in a Bowl}

If you’re like me, you don’t have time to mess around with elaborate dishes, but this recipe will give you the taste of scrumptious enchiladas with out the sweat! It’s so easy to make, full of flavor, and will easily become a go-to weeknight meal.

Chicken Enchiladas {in a Bowl}

What You’ll Need:

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {I used one pack of 3}

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles, drained

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce

2/3 cups red enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheese {preferably a Mexi-blend }

1 cup sour cream

Penne pasta

Optional Toppings:

Green Onions

Black Olives

Diced Tomatoes

Sour Cream

Fix it Fast:

1. Cook chicken, drain, and shred. Set aside.  In a medium pot boil pasta according to package. While boiling, chop the onion, pepper, and garlic (Time Saver: I used preminced garlic in a jar. You can find this in the produce section of your local grocery store).

2. In a deep, large skillet heat the olive oil.  Cook onions for about 3-5 minutes, or until tender.  Add garlic & red pepper and cook an additional 5 minutes.

3. Add shredded chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces to the skillet. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. Add cheese and stir until melted and heated through.

5. Add sour cream to the skillet. Warning: DO NOT bring to a boil!  Be sure to cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle–YUCKY. I turned off the stovetop and let the sour cream heat that way. Stir until sour cream is mixed thoroughly. Side Note: I did use the full cup of sour cream, but I think it was a little too much. My guess is that you could cut back or not add the cream at all and just use it as an extra topping only.

6. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add sauce mixture to pasta pot, mix well, and serve in a bowl with additional toppings of your choice!

**My kids love tacos and were a fan of this meal. Your child may not be a Mexican cuisine lover. If that’s the case, be sure to set aside some pasta in a separate bowl and serve with spaghetti sauce. This is an easy way for you to serve your family dinner from the same meal and not become a short order cook .

Olive Garden Review and Giveaway

GIVEAWAY CLOSED 4/19 9 p.m. EST

We LOVE good food at a great price and have always been big fans of Olive Garden. Can you really beat those yummy breadsticks? We don’t think so. With that said, we were on a Olive-Graden-dining-haitus for…wait for it…about 5 years! Finally the streak was broken a few weeks ago and we dined there for dinner. It was super yummy! My entree was the Sausage and Peppers Rustica, a blend of Italian sausage and colorful peppers in a delicious red sauce. Of course the salad and bread were just a good as we remembered.

Why else do we love the Olive Garden? Well, they have a great selection of Gluten-free meal options–even on the kid’s menu! (To view the entire list of Gluten-free menu selections click here.) Plus, they always have some great lunch specials and at a super price!

So, to celebrate our return to this great eatery we’re giving away a $10 Olive Garden gift card!

Entering is easy! Here’s how you can win:

Mandatory Entry: To be entered into our giveaway you must leave a comment on this blog post telling us: I want to win! along with any of your favorite Olive Garden menu items. 1 entry

Extra Entries:

**Mandatory entry must be fulfilled before extra entries will count.  Please leave a comment on this blog post for each extra entry you complete.**

1. Like SharpMoms on Facebook. Click here to go to our fan page. Leave us a comment on this post telling us you liked our page. 1 entry

2. Follow us on Twitter. Click here to visit our Twitter page. Leave us a comment here telling us you followed. 1 entry

3. Retweet this to your followers on Twitter:

RT @sharpmoms I entered the Olive Garden #giveaway to #win a free gift card! http://sharpmoms.com/2012/04/10/olive-garden-review-and-giveaway/ This can be done DAILY as 1 entry everyday!

4. Join SharpMoms for free! Just visit our homepage and click the “Join Now” button at the top of the page! 2 entries

This giveaway will end on April 19, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. EST. The winner will be notified via email, so be sure to use a valid email address when leaving your comments! If the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

All reviews on the Olive Garden are 100% opinion. SharpMoms was not paid to review this restaurant.

Deal Alert! Michael’s Printable Coupons

Get your craft on and save with great printable coupons from Michael’s!

You can receive 25% off your entire purchase including sale items and more!

To get your coupons, click here.

These coupons are good April 9-13, 2012.

8 Best Lands/Areas at Walt Disney World Theme Parks

We’ve linked up once again for another week of Destination Disney to share our favorite lands throughout the Walt Disney World Theme Parks!

In no particular order…

1. Mexico Pavilion~Epcot

If your kids are little too young to truly enjoy everything about World Showcase–have no fear—they would most definitely enjoy Mexico as their favorite country. Why? It’s simple: The Gran Fiesta Tour. Hands down one of our favorite Epcot attractions and most all little children love this ride! Also, you can’t beat some of the yummy food you can find in Mexico. Most kids love the dessert choices!

2. Dinoland~Animal Kingdom

Another no-brainer in our book, especially if your kids love dinosaurs. If so, this land is a must do. Our favorite parts about Dinoland are the “little” kid friendly rides like the Tricertop Spin and the fun rides for older kids and adults like Dinosaur.

3. Adventureland~Magic Kingdom

Get your Dole Whips, ride some oldies but goodies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise and run into a character or two!

4. Africa~Animal Kingdom

So much to love about Africa! It houses one of our favorite restaurants, Tusker House, one of the best rides, The Kilaminjaro Safari, and is in close proximity to one of our favorite meet and greet spots, Camp Minnie Mickey!

5. Future World~Epcot

Test Track and Soarin’. ‘Nuf said.

6. Frontierland~Magic Kingdom

Have a rootin’ tootin’ good time in this land! Love the rides like Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Love the great eats like Peco’s Bills. Love some of the character meet and greets you can find while stopping through!

7. Tomorrowland~Magic Kingdom

Tomorrowland isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (too futuristic/outer space themed), but it’s a must do in our opinion. First of all, the Tomorrowland Terrace has great food for a counter service restaurant. So if you’re around this land for lunch, stop by! Tomorrowland also houses some great attractions like Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Space Mountain.

8. Fantasyland~Magic Kingdom

What’s NOT to love about this land? It’s getting a facelift which will add some even better things to what is already pretty darn fantastic. This land hosts can not miss attractions like It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, and The Many Adventure’s of Winnie the Pooh. You can always spot a few great characters in this land as well.

What are you favorite places at the Disney Parks? Please share them with us!

What We Love Right Now April 4, 2012: Cute Easter Cupcakes

Baking for holidays doesn’t have to be an elaborate ordeal! We made these cute cupcakes for Easter and they required very little effort! Great addition to your Easter brunch or dinner dessert table or an Easter play date!

All you need to make these cupcakes are:

Boxed Cake Mix (any flavor)

White Icing (we like the premade in a jar!)

Red, Blue, and Green Food Coloring

Easter Candy of Your Choice (We chose coated chocolate eggs)

Fix it Fast:

1. Bake cake mix according to package.

2. In three separate bowls, mix icing with small amounts of food coloring. The less you use, the more pastel the coloring will be.

3. Put icing in a Ziploc bag, snip corner, and use decorating tip to ice cupcakes.

4. Place candies on top and enjoy!

Product Review: $5 Pajamas at Walmart

Okay, okay–I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably wondering why I’m posting about Walmart again when I keep saying that I’m not really big on Walmart shopping. Well, let me backtrack a bit and say that my mom actually first brought this deal to my attention. The cute Faded Glory brand pajamas were introduced into our house about a year ago. I have to admit, I was a skeptic at first. I mean, pjs–for $5–from Walmart–my immediate thoughts were that because they are so cheap after a few washes they would be garbage. Boy was I wrong! These pajamas have lasted wash after wash. They haven’t lost their color or gotten a bazillion knots. I was shocked. Because the  first two pairs kept up so well I decided to grab two more for the spring and summer. The styles are super cute and are available in sizes newborn to 5t. My advice would be to go to your local Walmart and stock up!

A Few April Fools Day Prank Ideas

Am I big on pranking? No, not really, but one day out of the year never hurt anyone . For a few years after I was married I always pranked my hubby on April Fools Day with phone calls like “I’ve been a fender bender in our brand new car” or “I’m pregnant again!”. Those two are probably more cruel than funny, but they never got old and qualified as a prank none-the-less! Then of course there is the age old “change the clocks” trick to make everyone else in the house think they are running late.

This year, I took to the web for some fun ideas on pranking those in your family on April Fools Day and liked these best from CafeMom. None of these pranks are too hardcore, but fun for a few laughs for sure!

Are you a big pranker? What’s the best prank you’ve played? Tell us about it!

Top Favorite Disney Characters

We’ve linked up with Destination Disney again this week to list our top fav Disney Characters!

9. Princess Aurora

This is one of my girls’ favorite princesses! Her golden hair and pink dress make her so princess perfect! She’s pretty friendly in person too .

8. Daisy Duck

This character also makes the list due to another kids favorite. She is Donald’s heartthrob and Minnie’s best friend. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with this sweet, friendly duck?!

7. Donald Duck

Funny, stubborn, and knows how to pitch a pretty good fit–He fits right in with my clan and is again one of our favorites! We all love seeing him get into some mischief on the Gran Fiesta Tour and always hope to spot him for a meet and greet in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot.

6. Mickey Mouse

Well, you can’t love Disney and not love this great mouse! He’s loveable, loyal, and an all around great pal. Plus, the entire reason all these wonderful places exist!

5. Princess Belle

Belle is what I like to call a “fixer”. She tries to help people become better from the inside. Patient, kind, and loving–she’s one gal you’d want on your side!

4. Pluto

He’s Mickey’s right-hand pooch. Wish he was mine!

3. Tigger

Wooo-hoo-hoo-hoooo! Love this character! He’s a great problem-solver, even if he goes about things in an unconventional way!

2. Minnie Mouse

Love her pink and red style!

1. Goofy

What a funny, goofy pal! Tons of fun and always seeing life from a funny standpoint. Definitely the top of my list!

Who’s your favorite Disney Character? Tell us in the comments below!

Friday Find: 88 cent Bandages at Walmart

I keep saying that I’m not a big fan of Walmart shopping, but I ran into a few deals there this week while shopping for diapers. Here’s one of them! These super cute Peanuts Bandages are only $0.88 for a box of 30 standard-size bandages. My kids LOVE the Peanuts Gang and will be so happy to cover up their boo-boos with these. With warm weather and summer around the corner there will only be more bumps, bruises, and scrapes around my house. At 88 cents a box, I have a feeling I will be back for many more of these bandages soon!

Deal Alert! Over $80 in Hasbro Coupons

Save a buck or two with these wonderful coupons from Hasbro Toys! Save big on My Little Pony, Chuck Trucks, Transformers, and more!

Get my coupons!

Deal Alert! Over $300 in Savings with These Target Coupons

The Target in my area has had some major deals lately on toys. With the clearance or sale price, plus a great coupon or two many Moms have been racking up on toys for next Christmas, birthday presents and more! If you’d like to get in on the savings fun, here is the link to a ton of Target Coupons, good to use online or printable for in-store use!

Get my coupons!

What We Love Right Now March 28, 2012: 10 Budget-Friendly Beauty Products

I love the high-end make-up counters at department stores just like any other woman, but what if you could feel and look beautiful for less? Here are some great products you can try. Best of all they are under $20 and available at most drug stores!

1. CoverGirl Blast Flipstick, $7.99

Image via CoverGirl

We love this product! Two in one-get your lipstick shade right where you want it! Brighten it up or tone it down!

2. St. Ives Olive Cleanser, $5.99

image via St. Ives

I’m always looking for a good face wash. I’ve tried a few and many leave your skin so dry feeling. Love this one from St. Ives. The ingredients in this cleanser leave your skin soft and moisturized.

3. Colgate Optic White Toothpaste. $6.95

image courtesy of Colgate

Haven’t tried this one yet, but it’s on the list as a must purchase item. I hate whitening strips and don’t want to bother with expensive trays from the dentist. This toothpaste sounds like a great alternative!

4. Physicians Formula Skin Calming Spray, $16.99

image via Physicians Formula

Have some blotches here and there? Irritated skin? This spray will help reduce redness and give your skin a more flawless look!

5. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, $5.95

image via Sally Hansen

I’ve always been a fan of Sally Hansen polishes. They go on smooth and the polish don’t seem to chip as quickly, if at all. This polish is a three in one-base coat, color, and top coat-perfect for busy moms!

6. Iman Luxury Powder, $20

image via Iman

Top of your look with this must have powder. At just $20 it’s steal, stops shine, and the gold compact case, well, that’s just an added bonus!

7. Goody’s Ponytail Holder, $4.88 (Wal-Mart)

image via Goody

Like many moms out there by 10 a.m. my hair is back in a ponytail. Life’s just easier that way. Your ‘do doesn’t have to be boring, though! Jazz up your ponytail with these cute silver and gold embellished holders for Goody!

8. Calgon Ageless Bath Pearls, $6.50

image via Calgon

Calgon, take me away! Escape during your next bath with these bath beads. Your skin will be glowing and thanking you!

9. Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes, 5.99

image via Burt’s Bees

I don’t know about you gals, but by bedtime I’m spent! The last thing I ever want to do is wash my face, remove make-up, etc. etc. BUT these wipes remove it all with just a few swipes. Added plus, it’s from one of our favorite makers, Burt’s Bees.

10. Sonya Kashuk Instructional Eye Pallete, $19.99 (Target)

image via Sonya Kashuk

Get some great eye shadows and a lesson on application for less than $20!

Deal Alert! 25 Cent McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

This Wednesday, March 28, 2012, be sure to stop by your local McDonald’s for a $0.25 Frozen Strawberry Lemonade! The flyer we received from our local McDonald’s stated that it may be at participating locations only, so be sure to check with the restaurant in your area first.

I haven’t tried one yet, so this is going to be my time to get one for less!

Avocado, Tomato, and Corn Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

The weather is warm and I think it may be here to stay! Spring brings this fresh feeling all around and to me no food says fresh like a good, healthy salad. For lunch, dinner, or as a side, you’re gonna love this easy to whip up, tasty salad!

Avocado, Tomato, and Corn Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

What You Need:

1 pack grape tomatoes, rinsed and halved

1 avocado, pitted and chopped

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

for dressing…

¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 tablespoons honey

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (allspice will work also)

1⁄8 teaspoon paprika

Fix it Fast:

1. Chop avocado and tomatoes. Mix with corn in a medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Halve limes. Squeeze lime juice into a lidded jar or dressing bottle. Add in canola oil, honey, cinnamon and paprika. Close jar and shake well. Chill in fridge before dressing salad.

This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side with your grilled chicken or steak!

Flash Giveaway: Free 8×8 Shutterfly Photobook Code

This is a flash giveaway because, well, it will be gone in a flash! We’ve got a coupon code good for one free 8×8 photobook ($29.99 value)  from one of our favorite one-stop-shops for everything pictures, Shutterfly.com. We love Shutterfly and especially love making our photobooks with them. This code expires soon–March 26 to be exact, so enter quickly because this giveaway won’t go on for long!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Tweet to @sharpmoms telling us what kind of photobook you would create.

2. Copy and paste this tweet to your followers: Enter 2 win a free #Shutterfly photobook from @sharpmoms http://sharpmoms.com/2012/03/23/flash-giveaway-free-8×8-shutterfly-photobook-code/

2. Be sure you like us on facebook and comment on our giveaway status telling us why you want to win this photobook code.

4. Last be sure to leave us a comment here on the blog letting us know how you entered (tweeting to us, tweeting to your followers, or posting on our Facebook page). Use a valid email address because that is how we will send you the code if you win! Each entry counts separately, giving you 3 entries if you participate in all!

Since this code expires so soon, this giveaway will end soon as well. We want you to be able to create your book and use your code with enough time to spare! This giveaway will end at 9:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 23, 2012. We’ll pick a winner at random!

Can’t wait to hear about what kind of Shutterfly photobook you would create!

Deal Alert: Get a $1.50 Coupon and Save on Select Kraft Products

Love Kraft products? Then try something new like their cheese and breadcrumb mix or some yummy Philadelphia flavored dips-perfect with graham crackers or fresh fruit. You can save $1.50 off these Kraft products and more!

GET MY COUPON

Destination Disney Link-Up: Top 10 Disney Attractions

We’ve linked up with Destination Disney over at Heidi’s Head to share our list of Top 10 Disney Attractions!

So, here we go…

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: This is a no-brainer! Who doesn’t love pirates these days? Plus, when you really need a good break from walking around the park, this boat ride offers a great place to sit, relax, and enjoy some AC and pirate action!

9. Magic Carpets of Aladdin: Well, when you’re traveling with little ones (like me!) and the line for Dumbo is waaaaaay too long, then your next best bet will the be The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Same kind of ride as Dumbo…Spinning carpets with up and down motion, BUT my kids especially love the golden camels! Watch out! You just might get sprayed!

8. Gran Fiesta Tour: Nestled in the back of the San Angel Inn in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion, this is probably not a top pick for most Disney goers. Let me say though, if you have small children, this is the ride for you! Our kids LOVE this silly little boat ride featuring Donald Duck. Best of all, there is hardly EVER a line! We say get your laughs in and take the time to enjoy the Gran Fiesta Tour!

7. Studio Backlot Tour: This is a great attraction at Hollywood Studios. Get a first look at how special effects work and also learn a little more about the history of Disney!

6. It’s a Small World: One word: Classic! It’s a must-do Fantasyland attraction no matter how young or old you may be!

5. Beauty and the Beast Live! On Stage: Sit back, relax, and enjoy this wonderful production put on at Hollywood Studios. Really and truly, this is a first rate show and a must see for all princess lovers!

4. Splash Mountain: Get a little wet and have a little fun on this log ride based on Disney’s film, Song of the South. Our kids love this ride and who doesn’t love the big drop into the Briar Patch?!

3. The Festival of the Lion King: Get in line early to see one of the showings of this live production at Animal Kingdom. Audience participation, live stunts, and good music make this attraction one of our very top picks! You definitely don’t want to miss this!

2. Kilimanjaro Safari: A favorite for many, this one comes in second, but a close first really! Get aboard a safari jeep and take an adventure through the African safari. See some beautiful animals up close and get some great pictures for your scrapbooks!

1. Toy Story Mania: Coming in at #1 for us is the very popular Toy Storia Mania at Hollywood Studios. Why? Well, it is far more fun that Buzz’s Space Ranger Spin (for many reasons but one being that the laser doesn’t ever seem to work correctly for me–I aim, but no points are ever credited)! You can shoot out all kind of targets in 3D on Toy Story Mania! Another fun feature of this attraction is the talking Mr. Potato Head. You’ll love seeing him as you walk through the stand-by line!

What are your favorite Disney Park attractions?

« Previous Page — Next Page »