Top Mates Aussie Sauces Giveaway

I like entertaining guests and most of the time, the easiest way for me to amuse them is by serving food. And because it takes me at least an hour to cook (and it can go up to two hours depending on the dish), one thing that comes to mind is appetizer! Yes, I know you're probably doing it too! Ha!

It's a good thing I came across the newest Aussie sauce craze - Top Mates! Not only they provide quick access in preparation, it instantly became a conversation 'topic'. What a unique way to start our chit-chat talking about food!

One thing I like about Top Mates is they offer a variety, there are seven exciting flavors to choose from (details below). These tastes are new to at least to my whole family's palate. Some of the flavors still surprise me! Here are some ways I've managed to use the finishing sauces.

1) Caramelized Garlic [Meat, Seafood and Veggies] - One of my favorite spices! I use garlic in most of the foods I cook and I love the aroma it creates. And to have this in a form of sauce is even better! It just makes it easier for me with meal preparation. Grab, spread and eat! Just like what I did with this fried chicken! Mmm... Soooo good!

2) Smoked Tomato - Tried it with crackers and chips and it tasted great! This is my husband and cousins' favorite sauce among the four (4) we've tried. I believe sauce can be applied to just about anything! I am going to use this as spaghetti sauce next weekend! Haven't tried a smoked tomato version so hopefully, it will be the first time. :) I am so thrilled you have to check my Instagram account because I am definitely going to post it there.
3) Chipotle and Onion
4) Savory Pineapple - This one is my favorites. I am not sure if it's because I'm Asian but my Hispanic friend liked it just the same. This sauce definitely has that sweet tangy taste. I use it as a spread on my toast too, but just a thin spread of it since it is really flavorful.
5) Savory Cherry - If you want an exotic taste, you got to try this. Cherry is seldom found as a sauce and it's robust taste might be just that thing you're looking for!
6) Onion and Shiraz - I don't know what a shiraz is but based on what I read, this sauce is a combination of onion (of course), red wine and port and is great with steak. Worthy to mention that it's an award winner in the recent Royal Sydney Fine Foods Show. How awesome is that?
7) Apple and Mint - With the combination of these two ingredients, I guess you can already guess the flavor. I heard it's good with lamb.

I have yet to try this with our meal but if you are curious on how or where else to use Top Mates, they have provided some recipes on the site. And... Just so you know, I got the samples above for review and if you too are curious to know its taste, then enter the giveaway below. Please note that the giveaway end date may change, but I'll let you know by updating this post if that happens. 

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As a thank you for taking time to learn about Top Mates, they have provided a coupon code for Mom's Tried and Tested readers:

M4Y3J - 10% OFF Online Purchase 

Valid Until 04/30/2016

Until next, mate! *wink*

Newton Hypoallergenic Washable Crib Mattress Giveaway

I know, I know, don't get too excited, moms and dads! This is one of the things you need when you have a baby! I know I had a hard time choosing one in terms of quality and price during my time, but this one has been slated and reviewed for you! :)

 Welcome to the Newton Crib Mattress Giveaway! 

A huge thank you to the sponsor of this giveaway: Newton Rest.

Hosted by: Lil' Blog and More.

And a big thank you, to all of the amazing co-hosts:  

David's DIY, Michigan Saving and More, Couponing Momma Giveaways and Reviews, Love, Mrs. Mommy, Green Grandma, Babs Projects, Beautiful Touches, DIY Danielle, and Deliciously Savvy. 

When it comes to baby, it's all about the best. You want to make sure you have the best products out there, for the safety, and comfort of your baby.  That is where Newton Rest comes in.

See, Newton Rest doesn't have your typical crib mattress. 

The crib mattress has an added feature. This mattress, is a  breathable mattress. That's right - Newton Rest crib mattress is a mattress that babies can breath right through. Which reduces the risk of suffocation, and SIDS. According to an independent, blind, scientific study, with other non-breathable crib mattresses, the other non-breathable mattress increased suffocation risk by 17 percent!

Also because of the breathable feature, Newton's crib mattress reduces overheating, and reduces the chance of bacterial and fungal infections - Because the Newton Crib Mattress is 100% washable. That's right! You can actually remove the cover, and then put the core of the mattress directly into the shower or tub, to wash it. This is the best possible way to remove potential, harmful bacteria.

When it comes to the safety of baby - That's where to splurge a little extra. With as much time as your baby will spend in his/her crib, it's really a place to make sure you have the best, of the best. And Newton Rest has just that. 

The Giveaway!

Newton Rest is generously sponsoring a crib mattress giveaway! 1 lucky winner will receive a Newton Rest, crib mattress of there own, valued at $295! Entering to win is super easy, with the GiveawayTools form, below:

Entry-Form

 

DISCLOSURE
The bloggers involved in this giveaway were not compensated, and are not responsible for prize fulfillment. The prize is provided via the sponsor. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter this giveaway. This giveaway starts November 5th, 2015, and will end on November 24th, 2015 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be emailed, and have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the GiveawayTools form.

Open to US residents.  

Please email aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com with any questions.

ThinkFun MakerStudio Gears Building Kit Giveaway

I am so excited to be giving away a Maker Studio Gears Building Kit by ThinkFun in the Falling for Giveaways Hop! I had so much fun making a giraffe race car! Yes, I said a giraffe race car! The Maker studio kit comes with over 60 pieces and instructions on how to build several things from race cars to motorcycles. You can use your imagination, experiment with the pieces and create your own engineering project.  Check out the full review and video on A Small Village's website and how the giraffe race car was created.

But that's not all, you can enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a Gears Building Kit! Remember to #ThinkFun when building your Gears Kit.  And if you are falling for giveaways, scroll down to see the rest of the prizes in the Giveaway Hop! 

Entry-Form

     

Welcome to the FALLing For Giveaways Giveaway Hop, brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers!   HOSTED BY: Mama Smith's & Women and Their Pretties   CO-HOSTED BY: Time Out With Mom & Natalie Made It   Each blogger participating in this hop has a giveaway with a prize value of at least $15 - and some are much more than that! Be sure to scroll down the whole list and enter them all - there is no limit to how many you can win! Good luck and have fun!    

DISCLOSURE

Mom's Tried and Tested and all participating promoters are not responsible for prize fulfillment.

$120 Evgie Wall Decals Giveaway [2 Winners]

Welcome to our Evgie Wall Decals Giveaway!

We are so excited for you to join us.

Evgie specialize in making any room in your home feel vibrant and come alive with their beautiful wall art. The designs they offer are handcrafted and can be tailored to any interior wall in your home. The shown of craftsmanship and passion is in each design they present.

Through their inspired illustrations, Evgie Wall Decals makes the impossible become possible. From children's playrooms, bedrooms, living room, wall quotes and more, Evgie will capture your space with her stunning artwork.

Looking to beautify a nursery? Evgie has new designs like the Bears with Honey Pot Wall Stickers. Imagine having your baby wake up in a room filled with this much cuteness. So Adorable!

Nothing says, I love you more than this Teddy Bears Wall Decal. Five, fury friendly bears enjoying life in this playful design.

Oh how I love Pandas! This Panda Bear Decal is delightful!

It brings happiness and full of cuddles to any nursery.

Looking to bring a safari full of colorful animals into a room?

The Tropical Jungle Wall Decal would be perfect for a playroom or nursery.

Looking for a decal that would be out-of-this-world?

How about a Custom Flag Name Outer Space Wall Decal.

Only if living under the ocean floors could be this much fun. The Ocean Friends Wall Decal is the only place you will see cats scuba diving and monkeys in a submarine.

So as you see, Evgie pays attention to detail closely. Her illustrations are precise. The decals are more than just stickers on a wall, it's a piece of art. They use very high quality material when producing her wall designs. Evgie and Ev also can customize colors, shapes, sizes, add or remove elements and draw from hand. So who is ready for a giveaway?

Two of our lucky readers will have a chance to win $120 gift certificate to use on Evgie.com.

Our Giveaway is open to US/Canada

This giveaway will end on October 2nd, 2015 at 12am est.

My fellow bloggers and I would like to thank you for entering and wish you luck!

Please enter by the Giveaway Tools form below.
Please don't forget you read about this from Mom's Tried and Tested. Thanks!

Entry-Form

DISCLOSURE

 Mom's Tried and Tested will not be liable for prize fulfillment/shipment. Sunshine and Flip Flops received monetary compensation for advertisement of this giveaway. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway. If you have any questions please contact the host of this giveaway Michele (mdickerson316@gmail.com) directly.

Tazo Chai Tea in Filterbags and Latte Concentrates + Giveaway

You must have probably heard about Tazo's new Chai teas already. Since it was released, I thought it has been popular. Tazo has always been my best choice for tea brands because I know this brand is being served at a popular coffee shop. It's not really surprising to know that the Tazo Chai teas sounds very aromatic and the taste is quite different, in a positive note.

The Tazo Chai Promise. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

"In Hindi, the native language of India, the word "Chai" simply means "tea". At Tazo, we use Chai to describe a blend of strong black Assam teas layered with oxotic spices sourced from around the world. Tazo's robust Chai blends were inspired by our desire to bring the Indian experience to the United States. 

Tazo Chai began with our signature Chai tea in filterbags, which brings together classic spice such as ginger, pepper and cardamom for a deliciously distinct taste. We then developed smooth and creamy latte concentrates, the perfect way to enjoy our delightfully unexpected chai flavors with milk. Now we are introducing new flavors to Chai - from the sweet creaminess of Vanilla Caramel to the seasonal flavor of Pumpkin, Tazo believes there is truly a Chai for everyone."

Tazo Chai Tea Profile [Filterbags and Concentrate]

• Classic Chai - A blend of rich and full-bodie teas, layered with sweet cinnamon and spicy ginger root. Warm cardamom is offset by the unique flavor of star anise and cloves, finished with the heat of black peppercorns.
• Chocolate Chai - Rich cocoa peel, black tea and licorice root with classic spices including cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper and clove.
• Vanilla Caramel Chai - Vanilla and caramel flavors mix with milk black tea, cinnamon and licorice root. Ginger, black pepper and cloves lend a sweet spicy finish.
• Seasonal Pumpkin Spice Chai - Cinnamon and licorice root lend strong pumpkin spice notes mixed with black tea and ginger. The warmth of clove, black pepper and cardamom blend into a sweet pumpkin finish.

Wondering where their ingredients are from? Well, here are the countries from which they are sourced, and by the way this is specific to Tazo Chai:

• Guatemala - Cardamom
• India - Cloves, Ginger and Black Pepper
• Vietnam - Cinnamon and Star Anise

As much as possible, I want my readers to get a taste of the products I review so now, I am giving one of my readers a chance to win (2) full value coupons to purchase packs of Tazo filterbags or Tazo concentrate. Enter thru the Rafflecopter link below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid to do a review of this post. I was given samples but was not required to do a review of the product/s mentioned above. Everything was based on my honest opinion.

Three (3) Natural Soy Candles Giveaway

Have you ever smelled something unusual in your home? A closet full of shoes, an unventilated basement, musky bathroom, a pungent cooking smell, or maybe it became so usual you don't even notice it anymore? LOL! 

I tell, you, I have tried many things to lower the smell I experience from such and tried to avoid the possibility of my visitors noticing them. I do open the bathroom and kitchen windows but I don't think I can do that during winter. I also bought a dehumidifier and an air purifier (the latter I actually returned because I didn't notice any difference after a week of trying it). I sometimes use those electric and battery-operated fragrance too. I use fabric fresheners as well, especially in the closet. The funny thing is I never really went into the idea of using candles just because I don't like the burnt smell after blowing the wick.

I guess things changed after I acquainted myself with natural soy candles. I just thought, the time I will spend smelling the wonderful and aromatic fragrance is more than the time I'll smell the burnt wick. Ha! 

To start with, one set of the Old Factory candle contains three (3) 2oz. soy candles in a box that is perfect for gifting! Just put a ribbon on top and a tag and it's ready! I also love the simple design which can be easily blended with natural home colors. 

I chose the Fresh and Clean scent because I always loved the smell of newly-washed clothes and fresh-smelling stuff! This package includes 3 different scents namely Fresh Linen, Lemongrass and Olive Blossom! I seriously love each! My husband's favorite though is Lemongrass. He said he's going to use it in his office.

Besides these scents, you can also choose from a lot more! There are even holiday-themed candle sets! Below are the list of Themes and their related fragrances: 

• Fall Harvest ~ Pumpkin Spice, Cranberry, Autumn Leaves
• Happy Holidays ~ Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Gingerbread
• Winter Wonderland ~ Hot Cocoa, Roasted Chestnut, First Snow
• Romance ~ Rose Petals, Champagne, Dark Chocolate
• Fresh & Clean ~ Lemongrass, Olive Blossom, Fresh Linen
• Spa Day ~ Cucumber, Lemongrass, Green Tea
• Vacation ~ Sea Breeze, Hawaiian Lei, Awapuhi
• Coffee Shop ~ Coffee Bean, Hazelnut, Chai Tea
• Man Cave ~ Straight Razor, Leather, Mahogany
• High as a Kite ~ Cannabis, Incense, Bag O' Cookies
• New Born Baby ~ Baby Powder, Baby Shampoo, First Blanket
• 50 Shades ~ Leather, Jasmine Bubbles, Vanilla ***

I guess the most creative and unique set is the last one, what do you think? ;) By the way, you can find Old Factory candles at Amazon.

These candles are made from natural soy wax and are hand-poured in the USA. Each of the three (3) gourmet candles are also made with cotton paper wicks and pure fragrances oils. The company guarantees each candle will burn clean, even and true-to-scent for 20 hours. Honestly, I wouldn't want to test it, I want to make a use of these candles for as long as it takes!

 

To let you try and test these fragrant candles yourself, Mom's Tried and Tested is giving you a chance to win the same candle gift pack I received ~ three (3) 2oz. candles of the scent you like!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Get Access to 800+ Stories with FarFaria App Giveaway

If you'll remember in one of my previous posts, I reviewed a personalized book that encourages reading. Well, now, I'm doing an app-counterpart! Which I think is also great considering we are all surrounded by gadgets right now. I think either a real book or an app will work just the same, what's more important is that the kid actually is interested in hearing, reading and learning about it.

This app that I'm talking about is the FarFaria reading app. Available for free download on iPad, iPhone or Android devices. It contains 800+ books and counting and they add five (5) new engaging stories weekly! In no time it will reach a thousand mark. These stories by the way, can be read either aloud by you and your kid or read by the app for you using the Read-to-Me feature.

To make it easier, I'll be describing what you'll see when you click each of the five (5) icons located in the lower part of the screen. 

1) Home - It's where you can browse: Recently Read, Book Club Activity, New, Popular Now, Seasonal Theme like Halloween Delights this time and Featured Theme like Bully Busters.

2) Explore - A map-like page where you'll see eleven (11) different themes ~ Animal Kingdom, Adventure Island, BedTime Bluffs, GoodLan, Preschool Playground, Looney Lagoon, Make Believe, Genius Jungle, Sing Along City, Classics Grove and last but not the least, my daughter's favorite, Fairy Tale Falls. This makes it easier for your child to choose the story he or she likes. Each contains a huge selection of books.

Did you notice the single-letter icons (besides the PK) on the lower-right portion of each book? Well, those actually corresponds to books recommended for:

• PK - Pre-K - PK (ABC book, Baby's Favorite Things, Colors, and a lot more!)
• Kindergarten - A, B, C, D
• Grade 1 - E, F, G, H, I
• Grade 2 - J, K, L, M
• Grade 3 - N, O, P
• Grade 4 - Q, R, S

They call it the Farfaria's A-to-Z Reading Level System or FAZ for short. The Common Core-aligned FAZ system was created to help children excel in reading. It was independently reviewed by MetaMetrics ensures accurate measurement of text complexity, allowing teachers and parents to easily track children's reading progress.

3) Subscription - This icon will go away once you subscribe. I just noticed mine was nowhere to be found. LOL!

4) My Favorites - As discussed awhile ago, this will include all the books you starred. :) It makes it easier for your kid to find her favorite book.

5) Parents - You'll be asked to enter your birth year before you can access this one, which is a great feature so the kids won't mess up your settings. It contain details about the app, subscription management, feedback, kid's reading levels, book club and login credentials.

Also, here's how it will look like while the book is being read. On the front or cover page, you'll notice four (4) icons on the top - Pause, Start Over, Favorite and Exit. All of which are self-explanatory. When you click Favorite, you'll have an easy access to it in the main page. My daughter definitely put this Beauty and the Beast story in her favorites, and also the story of Snow White. By the way, before you actually see this cover page, you might notice a 5-second download thing, which lets you access those books offline. You don't have to worry about not having wifi access.

The word being read or spoken will be highlighted in blue. If you want to go to the previous or next page, just swipe to the left or right.

Here's a congratulatory message when your kid is finished reading the book. You'll be given the option to Start Over, Favorite and take a photo or screenshot of this page.

You'll get one story a day for free if you download the FarFaria app. But wait, why limit it to one when you can get a 3-month membership to FarFaria and get all-access to the 800+ books anytime, anywhere?! All you have to do is join the giveaway via the Rafflecopter link below! Awesome, I know. Thank me later, good luck for now! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Win Neutrogena Gift Bundle + $25 AMEX Giftcard!

Hosted By: On The Scene with Mrs. Kathy King
Sponsored by: Neutrogena

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit line is a dermatologist-recommended products with naturally derived grapefruit extract plus vitamin C. To learn 3 Tips on how to help your teen fight acne using Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit. Click (here) after you enter the giveaway.

Lola Granola Bar Review and Giveaway

Do you sometimes find it uneasy to find the perfect snack your kids will like? I do. I am actually afraid to buy 'healthy' snacks (unless they're real fruits) because sometimes it means having to eat unpalatable foods. I've proven myself wrong once in saying that, and I guess I've proven it once more in a granola bar this time.

Honestly, it was my first time to eat granola bars. I have never tasted nor bought one thinking they were only for the health buffs or for those who are into specific and serious diets. LOL. I also thought my daughter won't like it because she doesn't eat granola with milk for breakfast. My assumptions were wrong. As soon as I got these Lola Granola bars, each of the member of our household tried one, well except for my husband who tried two. Haha. I tried The Ellie, my daughter The Enzo, my mom The Lola and my husband, The Nathan and The Ruby. Next thing I know, there were only two bars left in the container.

Well, what can I say. Upon opening the package you'll smell the sweetness of it, not that of processed sugar but more of honey. My husband said it smells similar to a bukayo, but definitely not as sweet. It's a soft kind of bar and the taste, surprising! Imagine for a first-timer, I actually loved it! My favorite, The Enzo! I like the combination of cashews and almonds. :)

So, who, where and how did Lola Granola start? Let me quote a brief history from their site:

Lola Granola Bars were created by Mary Molina when her family hit hard times. They were struggling to provide for their 4 young children, and were relying on public assistance and food banks.  Her husband Ernie was eating junk food to save money. So Mary made him nutritious granola bars to save money, making sure they were gluten and soy free due to her children's allergies, and he loved them! The kids loved the bars, and so did Ernie’s coworkers, who asked to buy some. Lola Granola Bars was born.  

There are several reasons I love Lola Granola.
1) They support anti-hunger children's backpack program by providing the same flavors I've tried, that means all of them!

2) Lola Granola bars are packed with all natural proteins, fiber, Omega 3's and are low in sodium.

3) Each bar costs only $1.99. For me, that is affordable considering all the nutrients you'll get. At the moment, it's not available in all states, but as always, you can request the product at your local stores. Here's the list of the stores that carry Lola Granola. 

4) The ingredients are locally sourced.

• Massachusetts Cranberries
• New Jersey Blueberries
• New York Honey and Gluten-Free Oats

Those are just addition to the fact that their products are:
1) Gluten-free - Lola Granola does not add any rice, wheat, corn, soy fillers, hydrogenated oils or refined sugar.
2) Dairy-free
3) Soy-free
4) Non-GMO - Each of the five flavors contain 8 core, all natural, non-GMO ingredients.
5) Kosher

Now, it's your turn to try not just one, but 10 Lola Granola flavors! That's two of each one! Just enter through the Rafflecopter link below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid to do a review of this post. I was given samples to facilitate my review. Everything was based on my honest opinion of the product. 

ESSIO Aromatherapy Shower Blogger Signups (Open to First 100)

ESSIO Aromatherapy Shower Blogger Giveaway (Open to First 100)

ESSIO Aromatherapy Shower is looking for bloggers to review their product and host a giveaway. The first 100 bloggers to sign up and promote this giveaway opp on their blog will be sent a free starter kit. Interested? Please fill out the form here.

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid in any way to post this. ESSIO has the sole decision over blogger selection. Please understand that filling out the form will not guarantee campaign engagement.

Giveaway: Chewy Non-GMO and Gluten-Free Candies

I just got to tell everyone that I found my new favorite candies, actually not just me but my husband, daughter and mom too! I love the fact that it's GMO-free so I can allow my daughter to eat them too. For those of you who are into gluten-free diet, this is perfect for you too. Five out of six flavors are not as sweet as the regular candies, yes, impossible but true! Even my husband noticed it. Sharing more details below so read on. ;)

1. Superfruit Chews
Lovely Candy Co. offers two delicious fruit packs! Which by the way my daughter loves so much. The first is the Superfruit Pack which comes in blueberry, raspberry and cranberry flavors. Unlike the other similar chewy candies, this one is not as sweet! I swear it really tastes like real fruit and as you can see in the photo below, it even have seeds and crushed fruits.

2. Fruit Chews
This pack is also made with all natural real fruit. Very much alike with the Superfruit Chews above, with the same shape and packaging. The only difference is the flavor, this pack come in apple, cherry and blackberry.

3. Raspberry Fudge Rolls
I haven't tried raspberries ever, okay, maybe once which I forgot when, but I do not really like it. So, I bought this pack at a friend's house whom I know really love raspberries (and who are into gmo-free, gluten-free, natural stuff). When I arrived at their home, I opened like 3 pieces immediately so we can sample it. They of course loved it, especially when it was covered with chocolate. I ate one myself. And I really really loved it! This became my favorite flavor and now there's nothing left in the bag. LOL. I ate every single piece of what was left. I guess I finished more than a dozen in one sitting. ;) I love that it's not that sweet and the (very) subtle hint of sourness. I think I can now eat the real fruit itself.

4. Chocolaty Fudge Rolls
You'd think this is the sweetest due to the fact that it's chocolate, but no. I ate six pieces in less than 5 minutes and I didn't even need a glass of water. LOL! The inside part is more like a ganache, with rich, soft yet smooth feel. I think this everyone will like this Chocolaty Fudge Rolls!

5. Chewy Original Caramels
My husband loves caramel so he opened this pack first. He liked it so much that I was only able to taste one (good thing I was able to get a piece). He even brought tit to his office. I told him to share with his colleagues but I am not sure if he will or he did. He'll fight for the last piece. LOL!

6. Chocolate Swirl Caramels
Now among all the flavors, this I think is the sweetest! Chocolate and caramel is always a great combination. I actually like the swirl, I think it would be perfect to serve during playdates. I can imagine opening each and arranging them in the same swirly thing on a white plate. I bet it'll look tempting. I'll save the rest a get-together next week. :)

Now for the really sweet part, you can get a chance to sample the same (really really delicious) Lovely Candy Co. flavors I tasted. Enter via the Rafflecopter link below for a chance. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE

I was not paid in any way to do a review of the product/s mentioned above. I was given samples to facilitate my review. Everything was based on my honest opinion of the product/s.