Monthly Archives: November 2011

Join me at the @Kmart @KmartFashion Holiday Fashion Twitter Party Wednesday 11/30 8-9:30 ET #KmartChat

Kmart Fashion Twitter Party

Join us on Twitter this Wednesday for a special holiday fashion edition #KmartChat – our experts want to help you look your best at every holiday party this season! This week, we’re talking Christmas accessories, holiday party outfits, and ugly sweaters!

We want to hear your holiday fashion tips and tricks to make this season sizzle!

Here’s a deal you won’t want to miss!

When you purchase $50 or more this week, you get a $5 reward card to spend next week!

WHO

@Kmart AND @KmartFashion

and co-hosts

@StacieinAtlanta @crissy @jollymom @mommyinsider (that’s me)

WHERE

Twitter with the hashtag #KmartChat

WHEN

Wednesday, November 30th from 7-8:30 CT  /  8-9:30 EST

WIN THESE PRIZES

  • One $125 Kmart Gift Card
  • Three $25 Kmart Gift Cards

HOW TO JOIN THE FUN

Leave a comment on the Official Party post on the Kmart website (not on this blog post) with a link to your blog post or Tweet and let us know you are coming.

To enter the sweepstakes you must:

  • Have an active Twitter account
  • Follow the official @Kmart and @KmartFashion Twitter accounts
  • Send the following Tweet: “Join me and @Kmart for #KmartChat – Wed 11/30 from 7-8:30 pm CT talking about Holiday Fashion – How to Enter & Prizes: http://bit.ly/rLHGnj”
  • Post an appropriate, non-duplicative, family-friendly comment on this blog post that also includes a link to your Tweet above.

As always, please read the Official Rules on the party post where you comment.

Disclosure: Sears & Kmart have engaged me to help promote and host this party.

How to Get Your Kids Involved in Preparing Holiday Meals, with Ragu Sauces!

Sharing time in the kitchen is a highlight of holiday meals.   Here are a few ideas to get your kids involved in holiday meal preparation using Ragu pizza and pasta sauces!

Ragu pizza and pasta sauces

  • Pizza Bites are an appetizer kids can help make!
    Divide four hamburger buns in half and lay cut side up on a baking sheet.
    Spread two tablespoons of Ragu Quick Traditional Pizza Sauce on each portion.
    Top with a slice of Provolone cheese.
    Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until bubbly.
    Cool slightly and cut each into fourths.
  • Why not try kid-friendly macaroni-and-cheese as a side dish this holiday?
    For a nutritious seasonal twist, cook and coarsely mash a butternut squash.
    Combine squash with 3 cups of cooked macaroni and a jar of Ragu Cheesy Double Cheddar Sauce.
    Top with 1 cup bread crumbs combined with 2 T.
    Parmesan and bake in a 350 degree oven until golden.
  • Let your children make breadsticks!
    Thaw ready made bread dough.
    Roll in melted butter and a little garlic powder and bake.
    Serve hot with Chunky Ragu Mama’s Special Garden Sauce.
  • Malfatti, Italian spinach-cheese balls – Your kids will love helping with this recipe!
    Cook enough frozen chopped spinach to yield one cup.
    Squeeze in a potato ricer until thoroughly drained.
    Combine with 1-1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1 cup bread crumbs, 1 t. basil, and one garlic clove, pressed. Combine.
    Chill for 1 hour.
    Bring a large pot of water to simmering.
    On a heavily floured surface, roll mixture into walnut-sized balls.
    Drop into the water and simmer 3-5 minutes until they float.
    Lift out with a slotted spoon.
    Serve with Ragu Old World Style Marinara sauce.
  • Make a Santa Pizza!
    Spread Ragu Old World Homemade Style Pizza Sauce on a pre-made pizza crust.
    Arrange grated mozzarella to form Santa’s hair and beard.
    Leave some red showing for his hat and his rosy cheeks.
    Use sliced green olives or pepperoni to make his eyes and nose, and other toppings as desired.

Kids enjoy time experimenting in the kitchen with their parents while preparing holiday meals!

Share your favorite recipe that kids can participate in, in the comments below!

Connect with Ragu

Read my previous Ragu “Moms The Word on Dinner” posts here:

Disclosure: This is part of a campaign for which I am an Ambassador for the Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program. Visit www.facebook.com/ragusauce to join the conversation.
Alicia Hagan, Editor

Join me at the Gifting Expert #SearsChat and Sweepstakes tonight (11/28) from 8-9:30pm ET

We made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday.. with flying colors I might add.  I actually went shopping at 6am on Black Friday and found some great deals at Sears, Land’s End, and more.  Now, Christmas is right around the corner.   Have your kids given you their wish lists?  Have you made YOUR wish list?

Sears Twitter Party

Do you know what gifts you will be purchasing for your loved ones? No fear, join us for a special Gifting Expert #SearsChat this Monday 11/28 from 7pm-8:30pm CT (8-9:30pm ET) with @Sears.

Get tips and share your own. Hosts @StacieInAtlanta@Crissy@JollyMom and @MommyInsider (that’s me) will be interviewing gifting experts that are sure to make your holiday shopping easier.

Follow @Sears and @SearsDeals and tweet with us from 7pm-8:30pm CT using the hashtag #SearsChat to participate.  We will be giving away the following featured prizes!

  • First Prize: $100 Sears Gift card from Kenmore
  • Second Prize:  Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor http://bit.ly/rxVFVL
  • Third Prize:  1 of 2 Cuisinart Stainless Steel Rechargeable Salt & Pepper Mill
  • Fourth Prize: Hamilton Beach Homebaker 2lb Breadmaker http://bit.ly/rshRwA

Sears is the ultimate gifting destination this holiday season. Join us for #SearsChat and take the stress out of holiday shopping this year.

Read the official chat & sweepstakes rules and RSVP here.

 Disclosure: I am being compensated to help promote and host this party.

 

Alicia Hagan, Editor

 

 

 

 

 

Join me at the #BlackFriday #Layaway #KmartChat this Tuesday, 11/22 from 8-9:30pm ET!

Are you shopping on Black Friday this year? If so, you’ll want to go to Kmart and take advantage of the amazing Black Friday deals, Layaway plans, and Doorbusters.

Join @StacieInAtlanta@Crissy@JollyMom, and @mommyinsider (that’s me) on Twitter this Tuesday, November 22nd from 7pm- 8:30pm CT for our final #Layaway #KmartChat and enter to win a $125 or one of three $25 Kmart gift cards!  We’ll be talking about layaway and how you can use it to do your holiday shopping ahead of time!

We’ll be giving away a $125 and three $25 Kmart gift cards!

Follow @Kmart and @KmartDeals and use the hashtags #KmartChat to join the party.

Topics will include layaway and how you can use it to buy your holiday gifts ahead of time – including putting Black Friday deals on layaway at Kmart!

Kmart Layaway Twitter Party

 

To enter the sweepstakes you must:

  • Have an active Twitter account
  • Follow the official @Kmart and @KmartDeals Twitter accounts
  • Send the following Tweet: “Join me and @Kmart for #KmartChat #BlackFriday #Layaway – Tues 11/22 from 7-8:30 pm CT talking about layaway. Details: http://bit.ly/tavTA5”
  • Post an appropriate, non-duplicative, family-friendly comment on this blog post (not this one) that also includes a link to your Tweet above.

Kmart layaway is a convenient, easy way to pay for products over time. Shop for virtually anything and bring your items to the Kmart layaway counter in the store or add them to your shopping cart online.Your down payment includes the Service Fee and is due when you initiate your contract.Make payments every two weeks online or at any Kmart register with cash, check or debit/credit card. Simply pick up your items after you make your last payment or schedule your pick-up after making your final payment online. Try it today here!

 RSVP and read the official rules here.

Disclosure: I am being compensated to help promote and host this party.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Join me at the Black Friday #SearsChat and Sweepstakes Monday 11/21 from 8-9:30pm ET

Sears Black Friday Twitter Party

You don’t want to miss this #SearsChat! We’re talking Black Friday deals this Monday from 7pm-8:30pm CT with @Sears.  Sears is the ultimate gifting destination this holiday season.

Learn how you can get the best gifts at the best prices this Black Friday at Sears. Our hosts @StacieInAtlanta, @Crissy, @JollyMom and @MommyInsider will be dishing on everything Black Friday- shopping tips, tricks and stories. Make this year your most memorable and money-saving Black Friday to date.

Follow @Sears and @SearsDeals and tweet with us from 7pm-8:309pmCT / 8pm-9:30pmET using the hashtag #SearsChat to participate.

WHO:
@Sears @SearsDeals,
and co-hosts @StacieinAtlanta@crissy@jollymom, and @mommyinsider (me)

WHERE:
Twitter with the hashtag #SearsChat

WHEN:
Monday, November 21st from 7-8:30 CT  /  8-9:30 EST

PRIZES:

JOIN US!

Leave a comment on the Official Party post on the Sears website (not on this post) with a link to your blog post or Tweet and let us know you are coming.

Read the Official Black Friday #SearChat and Sweepstakes rules here.

Diclosure: Sears has engaged me to help promote and host this party.
Alicia Hagan, Editor