SusieQTpies Cafe

Saturday

Buy one, Get one FREE Clearasil PerfectaWash for Acne

We have a house full of raging hormones. These hormones bring along a lot of skin changes which of course includes skin that is oily, dry, acne breakouts and blemishes. Three teen girls and two parents all requiring different face washes, creams, lotions and potions depending on what time of the month it is. Do you have this in your home? What do you use? What products do you purchase?

A few weeks ago we were sent a box of Clearasil PerfectaWash which is a touch-free automatic dispenser of the perfect dose of Rapid Action Acne Face Wash. The package included the dispenser, 2 face wash refills (delivers 100 doses each) and three AA batteries. Teen #3 took the box and ran away with it. She wanted to set it up and use it. Little did she know the whole family was going to test it out!

The attractive dispenser is just the right size to fit on our small sink. I think everyone loves it because it automatically dispenses just the right amount of face wash needed. No one needs to open a bottle, replace a lid or return it to their bathroom basket. Clearasil has made it easy to establish face washing routines in our home. The two refills are Superfruit Splash (momma loves this one for the fruity smell) which includes raspberry and cranberry extracts and Soothing Plant Extracts (overall family favorite keeping the skin from drying out) which includes ingredients that are known to calm and reduce stress (yes 3 teen girls so this is really needed!)

The face wash delivers the perfect dose for visibly clearer skin without overdrying which is a huge issue with one of the teens. It is recommended that you use it twice a day and clearer skin will be noticeable in as little as 12 hours and dermatologist tested. Around our house we have noticed clearer skin, less breakouts and actual face washing habits have been formed, especially with teen #3. We have not had a chance to check but do hope that they carry this product in a non dispenser form so that when we travel this summer we can take it along with us.

We love this easy-to-use dispenser and plan on taking advantage of the buy one, get one free coupon on the Clearasil Facebook page to get another dispenser for the other bathroom. We do not need 3 dispensers so we will giveaway the other one to another teen.

So what do you think about this product? I've always been a fan of Clearasil products and I LOVE this automatic dispenser that gives the perfect dose of face wash. I love how clean it stays on the counter top, no drips in between use, daily provides smooth, clean and less breakouts on skin and it is something the entire family can use! Cha-ching!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Clearasil. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Pinterest link up and Servin' up Salads

(click to go to my Servin' up Salads board for this tasty recipe!)

Welcome back to a new Saturday Pinterest Party! My favorite board this week is Servin' up Salads. We've had record breaking 100+ weather all week and cooking hasn't been something I have enjoyed. I love easy recipes that involve the crockpot, grill and salads. Check out the board and find some new recipes. If you have quick, easy summer meals or salads link them up below. I can't wait to check them out. Oh and if you want to know a bit about me, check my All About Me Pinterest Board.

Servin' up Salads

HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY below- (do any of the following)

1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! Why? To let others know about the party. It advertises the party so more people see it which in turn more people will see what you pin and give you traffic.

2) Add your Pinterest name to the linky. If you aren't on Pinterest and want an invite, leave a comment and email addy.

3) Link up anything you want to be pinned! No limit. We just ask that you make sure your post has a decent picture.

4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

5) If you want to host the party on your blog, scroll down and take the code. Make your own Pinterest Saturday page. That way you will get more attention to your blog.

Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Scraps of Life and cohost Crystal and Company and 3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

Friday

Big Honkin' Summer Fun and Entertaining Essentials at Target

I have always been a Target shopper. I love love love all of their collections. They have put out a lot of products over the years that I would have never even picked up outside of Target but because they have it in their store, I want it!

Have you been in to check out their Big Honkin' Summer Fun and Entertaining Essentials? Target is the one-stop destination for everything families need to make the most of their summer! I was thrilled to see all the bright colors and fun patterns. Target has put together bold graphics and vibrant colors on everything from tabletop pieces to backyard essentials. I really wanted one of each of their summer entertaining products. I really loved all of the Lemonade stand items and wanted all of it. My daughters are way past the lemonade stand stage but it was all so cute and fun!

We have a new grill and Target made it easy for me to shop for summer products to enjoy entertaining on the outside deck. From beach to backyard they have affordable products for kids of all ages!

I was sent a huge box of some of their fun summer entertaining products. Did you know that they have a summer catalog? Click to see what all I got in my box.

Serving Bowl with Bamboo Lid - $11.99
Bamboo Serving Utensils - $7.99
Strawberry Melamine Dinnerware Plates(4) - $1.99 each
Strawberry Melamine Salad Plates (4) - $1.79 each
Strawberry Hi Ball Tumblers (4) - $1.99

I went into my Target to get a few more pieces to go with my box of goodies. In the store, I found giant photos of beach balls, sunglasses and sand buckets that directed me right to the colorful summer merchandise. The shelves are starting to look bare. I guess everyone is into the summer Target line, too! I had to ask for a few things that I could not find and was told that all the inventory was all out on the shelves!

Target has a really fun "Summer-izer" Facebook application- click over to Facebook.com/Target and you can add "Big Honkin' Summer" icons to your photos. They also give you photo tips on how to really make this fun. You can share the photos online or print off at your local Target Photo Center. I love my photo below. I made it look like I was taking a picture of a watermelon! So fun.

No matter what your plans are this summer, Target is helping you make everyday moments more memorable. They carry fun products to help you with gather your entertaining essentials! So go have yourself a Big Honkin' Summer!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Target and received products to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.

Teach Financial responsibility with Tykoon #MoneySmartKid

Do you give out an allowance to your kids? How do you go about it? Do you have a list on the fridge? Do you just go by honor system and give them the money without checking to see if they completed their chores? Do you forget to pay your kids?

If you use any type of allowance or non-monetary reward system with your kids I strongly suggest you check out Tykoon. Tykoon is a website that helps you manage and teach your financial values to your children. As a parent you have the control and the site allows you to work with your child to teach about spending, savings and giving. I strongly suggest that you include your child in this entire process. Together you can work to establish task, rewards, giving, savings, spending opportunities and more. I love the pie chart that allows your child to see the breakdown of what they earn.

The online site allows you to download the Tykoon app from iTunes to run on your or your child's iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad! This is a plus. It is wonderful to have apps like this that can be used by kids and their parents.

To set up Tykoon, the parent goes in and creates an account- easy peasy and only took me one minute to do so. Then register your kids. You can set the task and reward. Once you assign a task, your child accepts and completes it and then you are sent a message on its completions. Your kids can also ask to do a task and then it is up to you as a parent to accept it.

Your kids do not need an email addy to use this site. They can access it with you on your page. This is good for younger kids. Your kids will have access to search various charities, shop in a secure Amazon site on their page and create a wish list of things to purchase. As the parent, you will see what is on their wish list which will help you decide and work with your child on reaching that goal. It is really great that kids can see the prices of items they want as well as seeing how much money they have available.

Tykoon makes it easy for you to discuss money with your kids and it allows them to earn with a purpose. They can only spend what is available to them which teaches financial responsibility. Together you can create savings goals, too. This helps them focus long term. Just like anything with your kids try and make the most out of teachable moments. This site bridges the gap between wanting to teach your financial values and giving them financial freedom to make independent decisions.

The site isn't all about money which makes it wonderful for younger kids and for families who do not use a monetary reward system. You can give rewards such as TV or internet time. This is very useful for any age and allows kids to see that they do not need money for everything they do. The kids can also send you a request to do a task and suggest their reward. I love this and it is a great way for them to take charge and find things to do for the family.

Does this sound like something you want to try? Guess what? You can and it is a FREE service! You can also do their “5 friends” offer: if you invite 5 friends to sign up and if they stay on for one month, you will get a $25 Amazon gift card. So as a parent they want you to try this with your kids, tell your friends and family and then give you a reward! Sounds like a win-win for all involved!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of MomCentral Consulting for Tykoon. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

Wednesday

Top 5 Tips to Get Your Child to Read

From the beginning we started reading to our girls. They have always loved being read to, especially by their dad. They are all teens and love to read or to read to others. Reading at a young age creates life long readers. Do you read to your kids? What are some of your favorite stories?

Read with your children

Top 5 to get your child to read (and create lifetime readers)

1) Set a time each evening to read together.

2) Go to the library or bookstore and pick out a book to read together.

3) As the parent you can set an example of what a reader is by letting your children see you read.

4) Help your child pick out books in the subjects that they like.

5) As questions about what was just read. Kids love positive interaction.

Do you have and reading tips?

Do you have tween or teens? Check out these post:

Young Adult Fiction- how to know what to read?

10 Teen Budget Fashion Tips

Teen Driver Safety- Top 5 things in an Emergency

Mixed Berry Clafouti

Have you ever had or made a Clafouti? In case you are not familiar with a clafouti it is a classic French dessert which resembles a fruit filled sweet frittata. It is a quick dessert that is served warm. You will truly impressed your guest with this one.

This recipe has been in my "to-do" post pile for at least a year if not longer. My friend, Sharon P. posted it on Facebook. She is a good cook. This recipe is from a Schnucks Cooks Magazine.

Mixed Berry Clafouti

Prep 10 minutes
Bake 40 minutes
Standing 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 package (8.8 oz) strawberries (2 cups) or 2 cups of fresh peaches (or a combo)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 package (6 oz) blackberries
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur (ie. triple sec or Grand Marnier) OR orange juice
2 tablespoons unsalted melted butter
powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9 1/2-to 10-inch deep-dish glass or ceramic pie plate with a little butter. Wash, hull, and cut strawberries in half or quarters (if they are large). Toss strawberries with the cornstarch and arrange in the dish, cut side down. Sprinkle blackberries over and around the strawberries.
2. In a blender, puree eggs, milk, flour, sugar, liquour/orange juice, and melted butter until smooth. Pour over berries. Bake 40-45 minutes or until top is golden and center is set. Let stand 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Good for dessert or breakfast.

My Changes: I substituted 2/3 cup fat-free condensed milk and 1/3 cup regular fat-free milk for the whole milk. I used vanilla sugar for the granulated sugar (either get vanilla sugar at Penzey's or make some by putting a vanilla bean--or vanilla bean hull-- in granulated sugar to get it vanillia-y). I used fresh squeezed orange juice also.

My Second Making: Instead of the strawberries, I put in 2 peaches, cut into slices. I added a handful of blueberries with the blackberries. I used fat-free condensed milk for the whole milk, but used a whole cup this time. I used 1/4 cup vanilla sugar instead of 1/3 cup sugar. I used orange juice from the carton this time and whole wheat flour. It wasn't much more dense than before, but was noticably less sweet. It was still tasty.

I didn't try this, but I'm wondering if one could substitute raspberries for the strawberries and use egg substitute for the eggs.

Monday

Kids Craft-Edible Flower Sundae! 30 minute craft

Are you looking for a 30 minute or less craft for the kids this week? Make this super easy Edible Flower Sundae! We had a lot of fun making and eating them! The plants looked so real that one of our cats wanted to dig in, too!

Check it out over at the Bowdabra Blog where it is being featured! Woot! Woot!

No matter how old my girls get, they love making and eating the traditional dirt sundaes. You know the one with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms! Well this year they decided to put a twist on the sundae and use recycled jars and ribbon. It turned out to be another 30 minutes and under project from start to finish.

Materials Needed:

Make your own bow or use the first 3 items to make a more professional looking one!

Instructions:

1. Make your chocolate pudding. Homemade, instant or cooked. Up to you. If you are really short on time you can buy the pre-made pudding.

2.Wrap stem of flower with 1-2 pipe cleaners. Mix and match the colors and insert it into a straw. The straw will keep the “stem” clean when you add it to the “dirt”pudding.

3. Take various patterns, textures and ribbons and set them out for the kids to decorate their jars. Attach ribbon with a low temp glue gun or glue dots. Both work. Once the ribbon is on the jar, add in your chocolate pudding. Crush 2-4 Oreos and add them to the top of the pudding. Add on the gummy worms and bugs.

4. Use the Mini Bowdabra to make a bow if they want one on. My girls can use the bow making tool on their own. Place the Hair Bow Tool & Ruler over the Mini Bowdabra. Cut a 24” piece of Bowdabra Bow Wire and fold it in half. Lay it into the Mini Bowdabra. You’ll have a loop at one end and two loose pieces at the opposite end.