Winners!

The lucky winner of a Tower Febreze Air Purifier is...

The lucky winner of a Braun No touch + forehead thermometer is...

The lucky winner of two InnoTab Learning Cartridges from VTech is...

The lucky winner of a Betty Crocker Holiday Prize Pack is...

The lucky winner of a kitchen fire extinguisher from Kidde is...

Thank you to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend!

Make Your Bathroom Shine with Scrubbing Bubbles Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner! {#BehindClosedDoors}

 

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Scrubbing Bubbles®. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Although I don't think anyone can concretely answer the What is the meaning of life? question, you'll find quite a few tips on ways to best enjoy life to its fullest.

Along with the no-brainers — for example, spending time with your loved ones, finding a career where you feel appreciated, or traveling — I'm sure there would be quite a bit of agreement that anything you can do to streamline your life is a good idea.

Whether that means setting bills to be automatically paid (no stressing over late fees!) or putting your coffeemaker on a timer (fresh, hot and ready for you right when you get up!) or any number of other convenient ways to manage your time and your life, solutions like these can help ease the day and bring peace of mind to a hectic household, especially during the busy holiday season.

But when it comes to one of the most un-enjoyable tasks, cleaning the bathroom after all the holidays guests have come and gone, there's no one who knows better than Scrubbing Bubbles® as to how to take away the work and hassle involved and get that complete clean!

Cleaning the bathroom is pretty low on nearly everyone's list of Fun Things To Do, but having a clean bathroom should be an even higher priority during the holidays. I know I'm not the only one who wants to banish all dirt, germs and bacteria before our guests arrive!

Plus, aside from simply caring about the health and wellness of my family and our guests, Scrubbing Bubbles® recently conducted a study, the Dirty Work Index, on what really happens behind closed bathroom doors that has left me wanting to sanitize even more than usual. Did you know that...

• 60 percent of people flush with the toilet seat up, allowing toilet bacteria to spray out and cover everything in a fine layer of filth.

• 23 percent of people don't wash their hands after using the toilet.

• 43 percent of males admit to urinating in the shower compared to 29 percent of women.

• 49 percent of people think that the toilet is the dirtiest part of a bathroom, despite evidence to the contrary.

I think I can collectively speak for us all by saying EEEWWWWWW.

Fortunately, Scrubbing Bubbles® has long been known as the name to turn to for the high quality, innovative products to make cleaning the bathroom easier — they have more than 40 years of tackling everyday messes under their belt! From the toilet to the shower to the counter tops, it doesn't take long to discover just how much time and energy you can save with their convenient "one and done" product solutions.

Case in point, my new go-to way to rid our home of any of these not-so-pretty bathroom hygiene issues, Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner.

I'm not sure if cleaning the bathroom has ever been simpler, easier or faster! I always reach for products that are designed to work on multiple surfaces, as who wants to store or switch back and forth between a container full of different bottles?

Instead, Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner (available in Fresh or Lemon scents) cleans and shines glazed ceramic tile, stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, vinyl, plastic, glazed porcelain surfaces, and more to remove soap scum, hard water stains, dirt, and grime.

I love being able to spray this right onto the tub, shower, sink, faucet, fixtures, and more and stand back to let it expand into each and every nook and cranny to do its work killing 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria!

The way that this cleaner can cut through the mess immediately has impressed me every time — and that's even before I've wiped it off.

No matter what surfaces and locations I've tried it on, the Multi Surfact Bathroom Cleaner removes the dull, dirty appearance and replaces it with a crisp, clean, germ-free shine (and a fresh scent)! No more muddy hand prints on the walls when the kids come back inside from playing out in the snow or rings of dirt around the tub after they get finish a bath. Everything is simply, perfectly clean!

When it comes to making cleaning easier, Scrubbing Bubbles® has yet to disappoint. Their products are always innovative, extremely convenient, and provide the results that they claim. For someone like me that avoids cleaning at all costs, being able to trust that these products will work hard so that I don't have to is something that I've come to depend on.

Scrubbing Bubbles®' Dirty Work Index has found that, on average, Americans spend less than 20 minutes each week cleaning their bathrooms, so it makes sense that getting a complete, deep clean the first time is important. For the remainder of the holidays and this cold/flu season, won't you join me in knowing that your family and guests are protected from all sorts of viruses and bacteria while your bathroom is sparkling clean?

Find out much more about Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner and all of Scrubbing Bubbles®' high quality products by visiting ScrubbingBubbles.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Warming Up in Winter with Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake {#KraftRecipes}

Brrrr! While I know that there are some people that look forward to winter and enjoy all of the aspects that come along with the cold temperatures and the piles of snow... but I'm not one of them.

Instead, I look at January as the perfect month to be surrounded by comfort, coziness and warmth — fleece blankets around the house, flannel pj's to snuggle in at night, mugs of hot cocoa waiting on the counter and an abundance of soup recipes to choose from to warm us from the inside out.

Even better, as January is Slow Cooker Month, I'm even more inspired to create dishes for every meal that don't require much more than putting in the ingredients and flipping on the switch. And while we're all familiar with the appetizers, stews, main dishes and more, let's not forget about the delicious desserts that can come out of a slow cooker.

My favorite? Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake!

While this dessert can be created by using a boxed cake mix, I find that I have the individual ingredients on hand more often than the box. Plus there is just something about making a dessert from scratch that fills me with a little extra pride!

No one needs to know that all this delectable dish requires is to mix up the batter...

...add on a layer of brown sugar, cocoa powder and boiling water...

...and flip the slow cooker switch to High for 2 to 2½ hours.

I'm telling you, the most difficult part of making this Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake is smelling the amazing aroma while it cooks and then letting it sit for a little while after so that it doesn't burn your tongue. It's hard to wait to put on that dollop of COOL WHIP Whipped Topping and scoop up a big bite!

Whether you whip this up as a surprise for your family or dish it out with coffee to your friends, this cake manages to fill you up with rich, chocolatey flavor and a feeling of being warm and cozy on a chilly winter night.

Kraft is hosting this tasty dish for me, so find the complete recipe and instructions here: Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake. Yum!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Protect Your Vehicle This Winter with Tips from WaterSavers {Visa Gift Card Prize Pack Giveaway}

Typically when I think about winter and everything that my family needs to do to be prepared for the frigid aspects that it entails, my mind goes to snow pants and whether or not last year's boots and mittens still have their partner.

Next, fleece blankets are brought out to wrap up in on the couch; I breathe a sigh of relief when the heater kicks in on the first try; and a glance in the cupboard lets me know whether or not we have a big enough stock of hot chocolate for each time the kids come in from playing out in the snow. What doesn't come to mind? Whether or not my car is as ready for winter as the rest of us.

Therefore, when it comes to prepping our rides for the cold, I'm thankful for tips from knowledgeable folks like the International Carwash Association (ICA) who can help me out.

There is no doubt that the number of dollars we spend each year to keep our cars running adds up. However, this is particularly evident in the winter time when the harsh elements can challenge even the most conscientious car owners. One thing is for sure though, keeping your vehicle in good condition will ensure a safer ride in the short term and a higher resale or trade-in value down the road.

So, in the midst of the cold weather sweeping the nation, ICA offers the following tips to help ensure that your vehicle is prepared to weather just about any storm!

Tips for Getting Your Car Ready For Winter:

1. A clean car is your first line of defense against winter. While the winter season typically takes a toll on your car, proper maintenance can go a long way to preserving your investment. For example, according to the International Carwash Association, getting a new wash and a fresh coat of wax before the temperature starts to fluctuate can be your first line of defense against winter elements like ice, salt, sand and slush.

Vehicular corrosion also occurs most quickly when temperatures rise and then fall below freezing. That is why most auto manufacturers recommend getting your car washed and waxed at a professional car wash twice a month, especially during the winter.

Using a WaterSavers Car Wash can is a strong first step to ensuring that your car will be ready to withstand the winter elements, both inside and out. It is also a great way to protect the environment. For example, these car washes typically use only 40 gallons (151.5 liters) or less of fresh water per car wash. Learn more and find a WaterSavers wash near you by visiting washwithwatersavers.com.

2. Rotate your tires. Most people know they should get their oil changed every 3,000 miles, but many forget their tires need maintenance as well. Tires should be rotated before winter and then again every 6,000 miles.

3. Add some winter weight to your oil. Changing your oil and filter is especially important during the winter. Drivers who live in a colder climate should consider changing to heavier, winter-weight oil during the winter months.

4. Take care of your wiper blades. Your windshield wiper blades are your first line of defense when the snow starts to fly. Make sure your wiper blades are in good, working order and replace them if you have doubts. It is better to make this change now instead of finding out your blades aren't working when you really need them.

5. Take your car in for a tune-up. Any noises, pings or sluggish starts you currently notice will only intensify as the temperature drops. It is best to get your vehicle in for a tune-up as soon as possible to get any issues addressed.

6. Give your steering some power. Check your powering steering fluid each month, and make sure the car is warmed up before you do so. If you find the level is low, look for leaks in the hoses or pump. Low power steering fluid will make your car more difficult to steer, which is something you'll want to avoid as the roads get slick.

7. Protect yourself from carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide leaks are dangerous at any time, but they are especially deadly during the winter when you will be driving your vehicle with the windows closed. Have your exhaust system checked to make sure no leak exists.

8. Apply the brakes. Besides the seatbelt, your car's brakes are its most important safety feature. This is especially true in the winter when slippery conditions can make stopping difficult. Before the first snow fall, bring your car to an experienced mechanic to verify that your brakes are ready for the season.

Cold winter temperatures mean vehicle maintenance is even more important. By following these simple tips listed above, you'll be able to ward off winter's harshest advances, protect your investment and those who ride inside of it. To learn more about protecting the value of your vehicle, be sure to visit washwithwatersavers.com!

Thanks to the generosity of ICA and WaterSavers, one person will be able to feel even more prepared for the remainder of winter as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $30 Visa gift card, a thermal travel mug, a fleece travel blanket, and a hand mitt ice scraper!

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I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.