Give Something Personal This Holiday Season with Blurb

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If you have a digital camera- whether it's your smart phone or your DSLR- chances are you have a ton of great photos of the people you love. And there's a pretty big chance that if you do, those photos haven't seen the light of day since you first took them, posted them to Facebook, or picked that new wallpaper for your smart phone or computer.

Now, imagine those photos in a book, given as a gift. Wouldn't you look like the best most thoughtful person ever? Yeah, you pretty much would. And with Blurb's easy, custom books, you can make a photo gift book that's both personal and extremely polished.

You can use your Facebook photos, Instagram photos, or photos on your computer. Basically, photos that were doomed to live forever on the computer, but no longer! You can design your own book, or have it created with the Blurb Designer Collection templates. All these tools are designed to run right in your web browser, letting you make a book in as little as ten minutes, and they start at just $12.99.

A real book. One you can hold, share, and pass on. So much better than scrolling through photos on a screen! Plus it's so easily customized that you can create different versions for different people. Just swap in a few new photos, change the text, and re-order. Looking to make something a little bigger, like a family history book? Yeah, Blurb has ways to do that too.

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Of course, this is a custom gift, so you don't want to be last minute about it. Even though you can order up until December 19, ordering early is always better (and a bit cheaper too).

So, get started on making a beautiful gift book now: Blurb

Playing Video Games with Xbox and M&M’s

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client.

Forza and m&ms #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

We like video games in this house. I mean, we really like them. When my wife and I were first dating, we would have video game parties instead of, say, movie nights. It was a fun way to spend time together, laughing until we cry, and enjoying each other's company. With that being said, it goes without saying that I am super excited to share with you a fun promotion with the upcoming Xbox One, Forza 5 game and M&M's!

XBox Forza #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

Forza and m&ms party #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

Forza 4 #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

What is more fun than getting together with your family and having a family game night? Why not include the Xbox game Forza 4 (and the upcoming Forza 5), an awesome car racing game that everyone of all ages is sure to love, in that? Of course, with family game nights, you must have snacks! M&M's are pretty much our go-to video game snacks, since they're easy to just pop right into your mouth without having to think at all or distract yourself from the important game play going on! ;) Plus, they're delicious and everyone likes them. You simply can't go wrong there! Gaming is better with M&M's, period.

walmart m&ms #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

Buying m&ms #FueledByMM #shop #cbias

Now for the fun M&M's Buy, Snap, Redeem Promotion, beginning 11/22! Buy the brand new Forza 5 game for XBox One and a participating M&M's product (including M&Ms Peanut 42oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Milk 42oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Peanut Butter 38oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Pretzel 30oz Stand Up Pouch, M&Ms Peanut 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Milk 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Peanut Butter 18.4oz Large Laydown Bag, M&Ms Pretzel 15.4oz Large Laydown Bag). Snap a photo of qualifying items on the receipt on your phone and text it to 811811. You will receive a text back with a reward code valid for a $10 eGift card to Walmart. Easy peasy!

Have you ever played Forza 4?
What video game console is your favorite?
Which M&M's are you going to buy?

A Chicken Posole Recipe and a Great Liquor and Wine Deal from Lucky Supermarket!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

Lucky Ad #FreshFinds #shop

Lucky Cart #FreshFinds #shop

Have you heard of the mix-and-match wine and liquor deal at Lucky Supermarket that's going on right now? Well, if you haven't, that's what I'm here for- to share great deals and #FreshFinds like this. It's at Save Mart and Lucky Supermarkets, and it's their Buy 4 Save 10% mix-and-match wine and spirits sale.

Lucky Shelves #FreshFinds #shop #cbias

You're welcome. We kind of had a bit of a shopping spree when we heard about this. I mean, hi, we are not ones to pass up a good deal! You understand. As you can see from our picture, we went a little crazy. With the holidays coming up, we had to be prepared and well-stocked! Lots of merry-making is in our near future, thanks to Lucky! ;)

Vanilla Vodka #FreshFinds #shop #cbias

We decided to pair our liquor with our current favorite meat recipe, which we've shared below!

Chicken Posole #FreshFinds #shop

Chicken Posole

Ingredients:
1 onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
40 oz chicken broth
1/3 Cup water
1 lb. chicken, shredded
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 Cups white hominy, drained and rinsed

Instructions:
In a medium soup pot or dutch oven, saute onions and garlic over medium heat until translucent. Once translucent, add liquid, shredded chicken, and spices. Reduce to simmer, and simmer for about one hour. Stir in hominy. Continue simmering until hominy is tender (about 10-15 minutes). Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Meat Pairing Recipe #FreshFinds #shop

Now for our drink to go with the soup. We decided to make a twist on one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Mexico to go along with our classic Mexican dish. We came up with a Vanilla Vodka Cuba Libre. All you need is Coke and vanilla vodka. Mix to whatever potency you like, over ice. Cheers!

Cheers #FreshFinds #shop

What is your current favorite thing to make?
Have you experimented with making soups before?
Will you be hitting up the Buy 4 Save 10% Sale?

Checks in the Mail Holiday Cash Campaign

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Checks can be expensive. They can be a hassle and a burden to have to buy, but at the same time they are pretty much a necessary evil. Unless you're my wife, in which case they are a fun time, because there's always so many cute ones to choose from! I'm paraphrasing, of course. No joke, right now our checks are old fashioned Winnie the Pooh characters. That's love right there.

Do you want to win some holiday cash? Make sure you open your Valpak envelope this month! Valpak and Checks in the Mail have teamed up to give away $100 checks in blue envelopes all over the country. Open yours today!

Ten winners will each receive $100 from Checks in the Mail. Only one winner per email address. Giveaway ends November 22, 2013. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to share that email with Checks in the Mail. Also, take 20% off check orders from Check in the Mail with code TY20!


Getting Inspired With the Blurb Gift Center

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I'm always on the lookout for gift ideas that come from the heart. My favorite kinds of gifts are meaningful ones that you know the person made or thought of specifically for you. How special does that make you feel, right? Well, look no further this holiday season than the Blurb Gift Center.

Blurb lets you make seriously beautiful books using their free tools. No need to use glue and paper at home, it's all online! You create your own masterpieces with the click of your mouse! Just add photos and text, choose your options (like paper and cover type), and then order. Of course, you do have to decide just what kind of book you want to make. But don't stress, they have put together a really cool and helpful Blurb Gift Center to give you lots of ideas.

For instance, if you’ve got a genealogical bent, there’s the Blurb Family History Book.

Or how about a sweet little Blurb Baby Book for those with a new baby!

You can even make a Blurb Food Book with all of your best recipes included!

This holiday season, make your gift recipients feel really special by making them something special that comes from the heart. There really is a book for everyone.

Now for two great coupons, both expiring 11/11:

Save 20% when you spend $40 or more on print books at Blurb
When you use the coupon code: MORESAVINGS

Save $25 when you spend $100 or more on print books at Blurb
When you use the coupon code: EARLYSAVINGS

Happy Blurbing!