Tag: Reviews

I received complimentary passes and a tour of the Skydeck Chicago review for this post. All opinions and thoughts are honest and 100% all my own.

I am not afraid of heights, but the Willis Tower can seem a bit intimidating at 1,450 feet and 110 stories tall! Mr. Randal Stancik was extremely gracious and gave us an informative tour of the Willis Tower, and of course the 103rd floor where the Skydeck is located! We also watched a short movie plus it offered lots of great facts about Chicago and the Skydeck.

As you can see in the picture the Willis Tower is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. As you walk around you can read lots of fun facts about the building.

This is where the fun really starts at the 103rd floor!

The elevator trip is also fun as it took us less than 3 minutes to reach the 103rd floor. As you are riding, you get to see comparisons such as you are now higher than the Empire State Building, the Great Pyramid, and more! It Is Only 2,232 Steps To Get To The Top Of SkyDeck! I prefer to take the elevator but it would make a fantastic cardio workout.

The ledge is constructed of three layers of half-inch thick glass laminated and tempered for durability. This ledge is not going anywhere.

Check out these fabulous views! WOW!

It is just breathtaking and something you really have to experience! I can’t wait to go back again and this time with my family.  As you can see the Ledge offers spectacular views spanning up to four states that you will never forget.

Our soveniur picture we took with me and my blogging buddies at the Skydeck Ledge. This is a memory I will never forget.

The Skydeck Chicago is open 365 days a year so make sure if you are in Chicago to stop by and experience the Ledge for yourself!

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post and the DOLE Banana Dippers girls’ night in. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honestly my own.

Who else needs a night off? Between school, housework, errands, and work I need a break! The sad part is school just started and I’m already burned out. So what is a girl to do when she is frazzled?! Eat chocolate of course!

I am super excited that Dole asked me to host a Girl’s Night In for my friends and family! We get to indulge in a sweet treat without the worry of overindulging. NEW DOLE Banana Dippers only has 120 calories or less per serving. Decadent dark chocolate covering over real DOLE bananas to make a yummy froze treat. Yummy. It is also 90 degrees daily is perfect to help beat this summer heat.

I cannot wait for everyone else to try these delicious treats. This will be a wonderful way to end a hectic week of back to school with a fun treat that is also easy on the waistline. I will have pictures during and after the party. You can also learn more about DOLE Banana Dippers on their website.

I have never been to Chicago so I am really excited that I will be able to see the fireworks in the windy city. I am attending BlogHer ’13 at the end of July and I am joining blogger buddies for a fun cruise on Seadog on the lakefront. How cool is that? I love boats and fireworks so being able to see the Fireworks Cruise on Seadog is just perfect.

Are you ready for an entertaining cruise experience along Chicago’s scenic lakefront? Then come out to Navy Pier and let Seadog show you the city April-October, weather permitting. I would love to see do this cruise for the 4th of July. I bet that will be so much fun.

Seadog offers four exciting ways to see and experience Chicago from the water:

• Lakefront Speedboat Tour
  This 30-minute cruise along the shoreline offers a descriptive tour of Chicago’s famous skyline, while playing your favorite music.
• Extreme Thrill Ride
  This cruise is perfect for the dare-devil in you! This 30-minute ride features splash down stops, 180-degree turns, slalom runs and more.
• River and Lake Architectural Tour
  Enjoy historic views of Chicago’s famous landmarks and neighborhoods during this 75-minute cruise on both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.
• Lakefront Fireworks Cruise
  Enjoy front-row seats to the spectacular fireworks display aboard our Lakefront Fireworks Cruise! Cruise along Lake Michigan with an exciting speedboat ride paired with an informative tour of the Chicago skyline, then end the evening with a dazzling fireworks show and top-40 hits playing in the background! The open aired vessel allows for panoramic views, providing a perfect view. The Seadog Fireworks Cruise is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, running from Memorial Day – Labor Day.

Seadog is great for both individuals and groups. We offer customizable group events for up to 450 people. Seadog also features specific holiday cruises, such as Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Halloween. Not only can you enjoy a Seadog Cruise, but your dog can as well! Dogs ride for free, space permitting. For more information, please visit www.seadogcruises.com/chicago/ or call 888-636-7737.

I love the ease of having a dishwasher so I am not stuck at the sink washing lots of glasses and plates all day long. Even with only three of us in this house, I spend more time doing dishes than preparing meals. Who wants to stand up at a hot sink doing dishes after having cooked a big dinner? Not me. After time I find my dishwasher isn’t looking as clean nor are my dishes. Having glass plates I am embarrassed to see streaks and spots. That isn’t very appetizing to my family or guests.

Cascade Platinum Pacs came to my rescue! I took before and after pictures and you can see how much cleaner my glasses and plates look after only using one Cascade Platinum Pac! I am so impressed and some of my glasses had horrible streaks before and they cleaned up so nicely! Even my plates and bowls were not only spot-free but also streak-free! I have very hard water in my area so I was pleased to learn that it helps prevent additional hard-water build-up on my dishwasher and my dishes. Cascade Platinum Pacs also do not require pre-rinsing and tough on stuck on food. What is the point of having a dishwasher if I have to rinse before I stack them. That is just double the work. I am so pleased that I will continue to purchase them and they have several varieties including one for fighting grease.Make sure you follow Cascade Facebook Page to learn more about Cascade Platinum Pacs.

Cascade Platinum Pacs has teamed up with op Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine magazine, Gail Simmons, to discuss why presentation is just as important as preparation. I know I love to post pictures of food on Instagram and Pinterest so I want my dishes to look their best! From prep to plating: It’s more than just a great-tasting recipe, but also perfect presentation. Sparkling dishes, shining flat ware and spot-free glasses truly let you put your best food forward with culinary creations that pop! Gail recommends impressing with a Platinum Presentation: “The easiest recipes pop with unexpected, gourmet presentations. Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white plates or layer
desserts in crystal-clean glassware. Keep your presentation sparkling with Cascade Platinum, which keeps dishes perfect for anytime entertaining and impromptu guests.”

You can watch a YouTube video of her below discussing Cascade and the importance of clean dishes.

WAIT! You can also enter The Cascade “My Platinum” contest which is a four-week Instagram contest for a chance to win a dishwasher or a Kitchen Makeover!

All you have to do to enter is upload photos related to the weekly contest themes. Show off how sparkly Cascade makes all your pots, pan and plates!

Click here to enter the #MyPlatinum Instagram Contest. Hurry as this ends on June 30th!

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

The Holidays for me mean spending time with friends and family as well as spreading holiday cheer. The smell of pine trees, the smells of baking cookies and that crisp winter air! I enjoy the colder weather and listening to Christmas music plus looking at all of the beautifully decorated houses. Even better is sharing memories with good friends and family while drinking a cup of delicious coffee during the holidays. It is a great way for me to unwind and spend time with the people I love.

Right now you can get Dunkin’ Donuts® Holiday Coffee is available at your local grocery store for a limited time! I was able to try the Gingerbread Cookie coffee and it was delicious. It had just the right combination of spice and sugar without being too sweet or overpowering. It smelled heavenly while it was brewing! I was also sent two generous sized coffee mugs which are nicely made. The new seasonal varieties also come with a cute gift tag on them which makes it perfect to use as a gift!

You will definitely want to stock up on this coffee to share with guests and for any last minute holiday parties! You can find several flavors to choose from like Original Blend, Dunkin’ Decaf® and special seasonal varieties including Mocha Mint, Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread Cookie.

• Pumpkin Spice: You’ll fall for this warm holiday flavor again and again.
• Gingerbread Cookie: Catch this perfect combination of sugar and spice if you can.
• Mocha Mint: Satisfy that chocolate craving with a warm cup of this minty winter treat.

I truly enjoyed this coffee and I know why Dunkin’ Donuts® motto is One Taste and You’ll Understand®.

Thank you to Dunkin’ Donuts® packaged coffee at grocery for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.