This Full House Reviews

Guest Post: 13 Must-See Wedding Websites

Our niece Amy is getting married the Summer of 2013:  considering my husband and I met on a blind date, were engaged 2 months later and married by the following summer, I sometimes forget that some people really do plan their wedding for years.

Plus, the internet did not exist 20 years ago and, well, I can only imagine the time suck involved and I hear it's gotten even MORE expensive.

Here are 13 must-see wedding websites to help in your planning, inspiration and execution of the ultimate celebration of love, courtesy of the author of the e-Book "Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot" Cara Davis:

Guest Post: 8 FrugalTips to Help You Feel Like Prom Royalty

My oldest is a junior in high school, which means she's been looking for the PERFECT dress, for about 3 years, now, and has got dozens of websites bookmarked to help her decide on just what, or what not, to wear to the prom...NEXT YEAR!

Yes, she is THAT excited.  No, she doesn't have a date (YET!) yes, she's going anyway...DAGNABIT!

Today's guest post is courtesy of Andrea Woroch, a Consumer Saving Expert, with perhaps the most practical prom advice I've read, thus far and, trust me, I've got the bookmarks to prove it.

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From dresses and tuxedos to flowers, photos and limo services, high school students (and parents) could end up dishing out a ton of cash on junior and senior prom. Heck, you could throw an entire wedding for the same price.

Since teenagers have more important worries, like finding the perfect date, coming up with the cash should be the least of their concerns. With a touch of savvy planning, students can find smart ways to keep prom costs under control.

Follow these eight savvy tips to feel like prom royalty without blowing your budget:

Guest Post: Football Party Recipes - Big Game Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS: GREEN BAY PACKERS (sort of) the PITTSBURGH STEELERS gave good game, too!  So happy to be able to share these awesome prizes with wcc (comment #135) please see your email for further instructions!!!

5-Layer Mexican Dip (courtesy of KraftFoods.com)

Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

With Game Day right around the corner, many football fans around the country are trying to get creative with their party planning to host a fun kickoff event. How about a football-inspired recipe for the Big Game?

5-Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

WHAT YOU NEED

• 1 can (15-1/2 oz.) refried black beans
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
• 1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives
• 1 tomato, chopped

MAKE IT

• MIX beans, chili powder and cumin; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
• TOP with layers of remaining ingredients.
• REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled. Serve with tortilla chips.

KRAFT KITCHEN TIPS:

Size-Wise: Savor every bite of this tasty dip, but watch your portion size.

 

For even more ideas, here are some great Football Party Recipes from Kraft Kitchen!

TIME TO SHARE:

 

10 Low Calorie or Low Fat Fast Recipes in 15 Minutes or Less!

  

Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

“I want to cut calories and fat, but I just don’t have the time!”

If you’ve ever said that, or know someone who has, here’s help: 10 fast recipes (all with 15 minutes prep time or less) that are low in calories or low in fat per serving.

LOW CALORIE (clicking the link will take you to the full recipe featured on Kraft.com):

1.  Spicy Southwest Bean & Corn Salad*

 

 

Foodie Tuesday: Little St. Simons IslandGingerbread Bread Pudding

Guest Foodie Tuesdays Post, Photo and Recipe Courtesy of: Little St. Simons Island

Virtually untouched for centuries, Little St. Simons Island is a barrier island off Georgia’s coast that features seven miles of pristine beaches, cottages for just 32 overnight guests, ancient maritime forests, tidal creeks and shimmering marshes. 

Accessible only by boat, Little St. Simons Island retains that charm and unhurried pace of coastal living where time is measured only by the rise and fall of the tides and the ringing of the gong at meal times.

Little Simons Island Gingerbread Bread Pudding

How to Throw a GREAT Halloween Kids Party!

 

Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

It goes without saying that there should be treats at any Halloween party, but what really makes it a special (and scary) occasion are the decorations. Go all out creating a Haunted House complete with unexpected surprises. Spooky games will help to set the ghoulish mood.

To play “Mummy Wrap,” all you need is a roll of toilet paper. The kids will have a blast wrapping each other up. Or else you can try bobbing for apples or play “Pin the Ghost on the Haunted House.”

You might even have the kids decorate their own Halloween cookies or design custom trick-or-treat bags. Of course, you can carve pumpkins into scary or silly faces. Or else let the kids use magic markers, glitter glue and feathers to decorate them. Don't forget about a contest for best costume or a Halloween parade.

For more Halloween party ideas, be sure to check out the brand-new Halloween tab on Kraft Food’s Facebook Page.  This special tab offers delicious recipes and how-to videos that will help you plan a party (for both kids and for adults) along with ideas for games & activities for a ghoulishly good time!

Try making some Mummy-Face Pizzas as a fun, tasty appetizer for your guests:

What You Need:

1 plain bagel (3-1/2 inch), cut horizontally in half

2 Tbsp. pizza sauce

2 sticks KRAFT STRING-UMS String Cheese

4 slices  black olives

Make It:

• HEAT oven to 400ºF.
• SPREAD bagel halves with sauce. Pull cheese into thin strips; place in random criss-cross fashion on tops of bagels to resemble mummy bandages. Trim ends with kitchen shears. Add olives for the eyes.
• PLACE on baking sheet.
• BAKE 10 min. or until bagels are crisp and cheese is melted.

© 2010 This Full House / This Full House Gone Shopping

The Small Gray-ish Print:  No payment, product, or any other consideration, besides a chance to share stuff I think families (like mine) would like, was received for this blog post.

Guest Blog Post & Review: Gamer Girl - Teen Books With A Bite

Today's guest post and review is provided by my 13-year-old daughter (a.k.a. Thing Two) who is currently home recuperating from surgery.

Hey, it's Thing Two:  I have something really kool to write about! It's a book called Gamer Girl, written by Mari Mancusi.

Expert Gift List Suggestions: Guest Post - The Present Professor

There's only 2 more shopping days until Christmas (you're welcome!) and if you're like me (living la vida better late, than never) you need to get some serious last minute holiday shopping done, or enlist the aid of a personal gift-giving guru, right about now, yes?

EXCELLENT!

You'll be pleased to know that The Present Professor is in the house and has been kind enough to offer up some of her best gift giving advice, just for us!

[breaths a sigh of relief]

Now, here with her guest post, it is with extreme pleasure that I introduce you to Carli Entin (a.k.a. The Present Professor)