Things We Love Thursdays: Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake

Can I just say I LOVE this shake?!  It's perfectly sweet, has the perfect consistency, is good for you, and is just plain yummy! 

I saw this recipe on Fit, Crafty, Stylish and Happy and knew I needed to try it.  I recently started using weights and am learning the importance of protein as I do so.  I've never used protein powder before.  Or stevia.  Or frozen cherries.  I've also never used cottage cheese in a smoothie before (but now that I know about it I will use it more often! It gave the shake such a great consistency.) I can't wait to try some other protein shake recipes, but for now I am enjoying this one every day. :)



You can get the recipe HERE. 

WIWW- chelz

Tank- Old Navy
Cardigan- Target
Cropped Jeans- Nordstrom Rack
Necklace- Dollar Tree
Toms- Nordstrom




I love turquoise! We are finally getting warm enough weather to wear more spring clothes!

-chelz

  Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Real Momma, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

Vtech Switch & Go Dinos

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of VTechKids for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was VERY excited when I was asked to try these new Switch & Go Dinos from Vtech.  We have a lot of Vtech products and have been very pleased with them.  And a toy that transforms from a car to a dinosaur?  Yes, please!  I made the mistake of telling my son we'd be getting these and he waited anxiously Every. Single. Day for them to be delivered.

When I pulled the Switch & Go Dinos out of the box, my kids eyes got wide with excitement.  I could tell they were gonna love these!  We got two dinosaurs -- Silver the T-Rex and Horns the Triceratops.

Landon, who is 5, and Cailyn, who is 8 took them out for a test spin.  I have to say they LOVED these!  They have been playing with them non-stop.  I LOVE how easily they switch from a car to a dinosaur.  (I can' tell you how much I hate it when I get toys that my kids can't even operate by themselves!)  While in car-mode the LED screen shows a race car driver; in dino-mode it shows a pair of eyes.  There are buttons & sounds that make the toys interactive.  Even my 2 year old twins love pushing the buttons and making the dinosaur "talk."

I also really love the way these look.  I think they are cute toys, both as a car and as a dinosaur.  They are available at Amazon for $15.99 each which I think is an exceptional value.  Beginning on June 18, the dinos will also be on sale at VTechKids.com for a suggested retail price of $15.99.  That's about the price range we use when shopping for friends birthday parties and I think these would make great gifts.  They are unique and fun and will keep kids busy for awhile! 

Buy today on Amazon

Which one do you like best?  The T-Rex or the Triceratops?

Whitney Farms Plant Food

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We're about to start our summer garden in the next couple weeks, but I wanted to get started with a couple plants first.  My kids LOVE helping me in the garden and they love getting to pick out their favorite fruits & veggies to plant.  I was excited when I was contacted by Whitney Farms® to try our their organic plant food and organic soil. 

I took my kids to the garden center and let them pick out their favorite plants.  Cailyn chose cherry tomatoes and Landon chose strawberries. 

 

We used Whitney Farms® organic plant food as we prepared the soil for planting and sprinkled a little around the plants as well.  I really like the texture of this plant food.  It's not dusty or grainy and it doesn't have that smell that some plant foods have.  I love that it is completely organic and I don't have to worry about what is going into my fruits & vegetables! 

The kids and I are so excited to see our plants thrive and produce some really yummy strawberries & tomatoes.  Our strawberry plant already has a beautiful red fruit growing and the kids are anxious for when they can pick it.  They can't stop talking about how cool it will be when we can just walk out to our garden whever we want and eat some strawberries.  :)

 

Do you want to try Whitney Farms® plant food?  Just click the link for a $3 off coupon! 

What are you planting this summer?

The Seer Series

This was one of those rare finds. I just happened to pick it up off the shelf at the library and read the back of the first book. It sounded interesting to me and I ended up loving this series! I wish all of my random books that I picked up turned out like this but unfortunately it almost NEVER happens. 






Don't Die, Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a random book that I happened to pick up off the shelf at the library while killing time waiting for story time to start and thought I would give it a try. I was a little nervous cause whenever I pick up a random book knowing nothing about it and not having anyone recommend it to me, I usually don't like the book and never end up finishing it. I read this book in one day! It is the first in this series and I have to wait 2 days before I can go back to the library to pick up the rest of the series. It was a great. fun and easy read. I loved the story line and I can't wait to see further development of the characters. It totally ended with a HUGE cliffhanger, so I am very anxious to get the next book!




Last Dance by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a good fun book. I love the mystery of the "who done it" in this book. It didn't take me long to figure out who was behind all the threats. I find myself starting to really enjoy Dominic in this book and have started rooting for him! I loved being able to get to know Thorn better in this book and I just love her character!






by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


**** SPOILERS!!!! I love that these book are fast and easy reads but the author keeps you on the edge of your seat. My views on Josh are starting to change. I was annoyed at how he cancelled and didn't show up when he said he would and Sabine was supposed to be ok with it, but the one time she left him hanging he freaks out and breaks up with her. She needs to just give in and be with Dominic! Sabine's mom is driving me nuts. No wonder her daughter can't stand her, she is such a control freak and is well on her way to driving Amy away as well. It drives me nuts to see how self centered her mother is! Ok, now that I have ranted a bit about some of my issues with the characters, I wouldn't change a thing cause it does bring great drama to the series!




Sword Play by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


**** Small SPOILERS..... I found this book to be a touch slower than the others at the beginning, but it finally took off and once it did man did it take off! I usually can figure out what is going on and pick up on the author's hinting at things to come, but I was completely blown away with the secrets shared in this book! It was from left field and I love those rare books when a book completely blindsides me! I am so ready for her to get rid of Josh in this book, he is really starting to get on my nerves. However, I am excited that she gets to move back to Nona's!





































Fatal Charm by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I thought this was a great book. I wasn't too sure about Jade until towards to end and then I was able to understand her and where she was coming from. She was a great addition. So many big changes have happened in this book and I can't wait to see what else is next. I have a feeling that the vandal from the treats shop was who it turned out to be! I am anxious to see where the relationship changes go from here!








Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


WOW! What a great book to finish out the series! There was so much action and things going, I just loved it. I could not put this book down. I love it when a book has many twists and turn but everything works itself out in the end. I loved this series and this was probably my favorite book of the series. I really enjoyed the way it ended!

What have you been reading?

-chelz

WIWW: Marie

I just love how versatile boots can be.  I can wear them in the winter with my jeans or in the spring with my dresses!

Dress & Belt: Kohls

Boots: Discount Shoe Factory

Linked to: Rae Gun Ramblings, The Pleated Poppy, Real Momma, Rolled Up Pretty & Transatlantic Blonde

Teacher Gift: Target Gift Card

I'm getting this up a little late for Teacher Appreciation Week, but I think it would also make a great end-of-the-year gift, too!  I made this little printable to go with a Target gift card (cuz I love Target and just assume every teacher does, too!).  :)  You can get the printable HERE.

 

You'll want to print the card onto white cardstock and make a slit on the black line with a box cutter or exacto knife. 















Then glue the top and bottom of the card onto a larger piece of cardstock. (You can slip the gift card in to use as a guide for where to put the glue.)

 Have your child sign it and slip the gift card in.  Easy peasy!