Want to win a d’andrea wristlet?
Then you’ve come to the right place!

Nicole D’Andrea, a local RI designer, has decided to do another giveaway right in time for the holidays. She is offering 3 RhodeyGirl readers a chance to win one of her super cute wristlets!

Like I’ve mentioned before, I love d’andrea’s designs and I love supporting small businesses. My d’andrea purse from a few years ago is still in perfect condition, and I love how the leather gets even softer and silkier with age. This year Nicole has the above wristlets for sale at $30 each as well as lots of other classic and funky pieces. I love wristlets, especially now, because they can fit all the essentials: phone, keys, chapstick, money, and credit cards. I actually hang a wristlet off my stroller so that I don’t have to carry anything in my pockets during long walks with Raffi.

This giveaway has come right in time for the holidays. Three winners will be chosen to receive one of the above wristlets to complete your holiday outfit! Best of luck!

Here’s what you can do to get one:

1. Leave a comment saying why you NEEEEEEEED one of these wristlets.
2. Visit the website and share one fact or thing you like via Twitter. You can also just share the link to this post. Be sure to cc me (@rhodeygirltests) so I see it.
3. Share the link to this giveaway on Facebook and come back to let me know.
4. Visit the website and buy one!

**Only valid for U.S. readers (sorry!)
**Giveaway ends Dec 16th at 12 noon EST.

And the random winner is….

JoyinChina

Since I’m very single, my dream Valentines day would involve going out with girlfriends to get a mani-pedi and a massage, followed by dinner (Mexican), an array of chic flicks, and chocolate!

***Email me your contact information so we can send off your chocolates. Congratulations!

My paternal grandparents weren’t around as much as my nonna growing up, but when they did visit we went over to their house often. The house was always a bit intimidating to me. It smelled a little musty, and us kids were always given white pita sandwiches filled with apple jam. Today when I smell apple jam I am brought back to those memories instantly.

One of my many uncles who lived there along the years always had a box of Guylian chocolates. I would pick the smoothest, flattest one (usually the mussel or seahorse) and eat it as slowwwwwwwly as possibly to make it last. A Guylian chocolate is a pure, silky smooth milk, dark and white Belgian chocolate filled with decadent, creamy chocolate praline truffle. They are slightly reminiscent of the Italian gianduia, but somehow they are just a bit more special.

Guylian sent me a few chocolates gratis to sample so I could relive those memories again, and they agreed to let me share the chocolate dream with you. Up for grabs in thise Cupid-filled time of year is a bag full of Guylian chocolate shipped to your house.

Here’s what you have to do to enter: Simply leave a comment sharing your dream Valentine’s day before Monday, February 14 at 12 noon EST.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Guylian & RhodeyGirl to you!

*Disclosure: No one can turn down the offer of sampling a chocolate filled with memories, including me. I did receive these for free, but if I had seen them in the market I would have purchased them myself! As always, all of my opinions are completely my own and I am very selective in the foods I choose to share with you. Thanks for reading!

P.S. Are you sick of winter too? Dream of spring with this 5 minute salad.

Valentine’s Day 2010
2009
2008

And the winner is… Tommy with the following comment!

Tommy

I need the Tofu Xpress so I can make funny videos with tofu like you did.

Email me your address so I can send your Tofu Xpress your way!!!!!! Thanks for entering everyone!

****

If you promise to read through this whole post, then I promise to give you a giveaway!

A few months ago I worked on a secret project with Nasoya tofu. The end result was a bunch of videos for their Tofu U series, including a blooper one- obviously my favorite.

They were really fun to film, and since the shoot I have experimented a lot with tofu. I have been trying to create a coconut encrusted tofu for months, but I can’t seem to figure it out. I gave up.

Just last weekend, though, my friends Sarah & Simon made an incredible stir fry that had me saying it with every bite. I think they thought I was nuts. We showed up to the house really late and scarfed down tofu stir fry bowls while chatting way too energetically and throwing all of our bags everywhere. I am sure it was a sight to see. When we came home from the trip I couldn’t stop thinking about the stir fry and I had to make one myself! Here is what I created…

Tofu, Chicken, & Veggie Stir Fry
serves 4+

Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 package extra firm tofu, diced
1/2 cup sugar snap peas
4 cups broccoli
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 cup + 3 tbs teriyaki sauce
1 tbs olive oil
4 tbs dry roasted peanuts

Directions:
Marinate your chicken in a container with 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce for at least 20 minutes and up to a few hours. Do the same with the tofu in another container. Meanwhile, heat a large pan with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the red pepper, sugar snap peas, and broccoli. Add the 3 tbs of sauce. Cook for 5 minutes until the broccoli become bright green. Remove the veggie mixture. Add the chicken and sauce to the pan. Cook over medium heat, flipping once, until cooked through. Add the tofu and cook for 5 minutes. Add all of the veggies and toss together to warm. Serve over brown rice and top with dry roasted peanuts. Enjoy!

Did you make it through all that?! Basically you cook everything in the sauce and toss it together! Looks a lot longer in the formal directions though.

Giveaway time: There are several ways to press tofu, one of them being with a fancy TofuXpress. I was lucky and received one from Nasoya, but they want to treat you too! The winner will receive a Tofu Express and a few other goodies.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave me a comment letting me know why you need the Tofu Express- but be creative!
2. Share this post with everyone you know, then come back and comment letting me know how you shared it. This includes Facebook (be sure to @RhodeyGirlTests) and Twitter (be sure to @rhodeygirltests). Don’t forget that the more ways you share, the better your chances.

Good luck! Contest ends Monday, January 10 at 12 PM EST and the winner will be selected by a group of my friends.

I had trouble picking the winners, so I just went with RANDOM! Here they are!!!!!!

Sam

November 27, 2010 at 1:51 pm (Edit)

I NEED an Aerolatte since Santa is requesting a latte! Last year I didn’t make him one and was put on the BAD LIST!!!

Katie P

November 27, 2010 at 3:20 pm (Edit)

I would love one of these frothers to make my own soy lattes a home and same some cash!

Please send your contact info to sabrina@rhodeygirltests.com and congratulations!!!

*************

The perfect cappuccino or latte can now be yours!

(Source)

Remember I said I found the perfect tool? The Aerolatte is a very simple AA battery operated gadget. It makes perfectly frothed milk in 30 seconds or less with little work and hardly any clean up. You simply warm your milk (I use the microwave) and then insert the end of the Aerolatte into the milk and turn it on, slowly moving around the edge of the mug. In just a few seconds your milk will double or triple into the most beautiful froth you’ve ever seen at home.

I first fell in love with the cappuccino while visiting my Nonna in Trieste during high school. In Trieste they have a mini cappuccino called a cappuccio, and it is simply an espresso cup with one shot of espresso and just a touch of foam. Ever since that first affair with espresso and frothed milk, I have been hooked. I never used to make it at home, but when I found a good cappuccino I would visit the place so many times the baristas would know me by name. I have even been known to drive 25 minutes simply to pick up a cappuccino and a few biscotti. Somehow drinking one reminds me of celebrations and family… perfect for this time of year.

And since last year I offered a giveaway around this time, I thought it would be fitting to do the same this year! Let’s celebrate the true beginning of the holiday season with a fun giveaway!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me why you need the Aerolatte.
2. Tweet about the giveaway, but be sure to include @rhodeygirltests so I know you did!
3. Share this link (http://wp.me/pXpge-2qy) with your friends on Facebook, but again be sure to @rhodeygirltests so I know you did!

The giveaway will end Monday, November 29th at 12 PM EST. I will update this post with the winner. If there are tons of entries I might even pick two winners!!! Good luck and have a happy day!

Aerolatte
Sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma
$19.95-$19.99

Dear All Those Who Entered,

I would like to introduce you to your new Tempur-Pedic All-PurposePillow that you will each be receiving…. just for entering!!!! (Note: One per person)

The All-PurposePillow by Tempur-Pedic™

The unique “peanut” shape is a multi-purpose solution for ergonomic support and comfort in a variety of on-the-go situations.  Uses include a neck roll, lumbar cushion, leg spacer and many others.  Includes a removable, washable cover with a convenient carrying strap.

Tempur-Pedic will be emailing you for your shipping information! You are all winners!

I am sure you are all dying to know who the grand prize winner is… Well, it is Anne P. with this fabulous video! Congratulations Anne!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy your new mattress as much as I am enjoying mine! I also hope it helps you lift those weights and focus on that chemistry!

You can see all the entries in the comments of the original contest post!

Signed,
Lover of My New Fabulous Mattress

Winner is!

Scargosun

Honestly, the simplest Greek salad is just a HUGE fave of mine. I have been doing really simple meals lately and it just takes me back to the two weeks my husband and I spent in Greece. It seems MUCH too long ago.

*******************

Sadly, the last Athenos Feta Friday Giveaway has arrived. I will be giving away the last  fun ATHENOS Feta package to one lucky winner!

The prize package includes:

• ATHENOS Feta coupon
• ATHENOS Feta “Shape Up Your Salad” recipe booklet
• ATHENOS Feta water bottle
• Life Time Fitness 1-month membership
• Fit & Fresh salad container
• An adorable Built NY lunch bag

How to enter? Leave a comment in this post sharing your favorite dishes that use FETA. Me first! Out of all of the things I have made on this site with feta, my favorite are my Healthy Turkey Burgers and my Shrimp & Bean Barley Salad.

You can find my previous ATHENOS feta salad posts here. You have until this evening, July 30, at midnight EST to enter. I will *subjectively* be picking the winner- so make your entry good! I will post the winner at the top of this post and in the comments section this weekend.

Good luck and HAPPY FETA FRIDAY!

The last Feta Friday Giveaways can be found here and here.

Congratulations! You are the winner!

Erica

July 23, 2010 at 2:57 pm (Edit)

I so want to win this- love this cheese! I like a simple pasta salad- roasted veggies (eggplant, tomatoes and zuch are my favorite), pasta, feta, olive oil and lemon juice. Fabulous. If you want a little crunch- roasted chickpeas or pine nuts are a great add on

*********

For each of the next few Fridays I will be giving away a fun ATHENOS Feta package to one lucky winner!

The prize package includes:

• ATHENOS Feta coupon
• ATHENOS Feta “Shape Up Your Salad” recipe booklet
• ATHENOS Feta water bottle
• Life Time Fitness 1-month membership
• Fit & Fresh salad container
• An adorable Built NY lunch bag

How to enter? Leave a comment in this post giving me your best pasta salad ideas using ATHENOS feta!

You can find my previous ATHENOS feta salad posts here. You have until this evening, July 23, at midnight to enter. I will *subjectively* be picking the winner- so make your entry good! I will post the winner at the top of this post and in the comments section tomorrow.

Good luck and HAPPY FETA FRIDAY!

The last Feta Friday Giveaway can be found here.

The winner is:

MaryEllen

July 16, 2010 at 2:07 pm (Edit)

Spinach, pecans, feta, strawberries, and poppyseed dressing.

Please email me your contact information! You have until July 22 at 11:00 PM EST to send it to me!

*****

Welcome to ATHENOS Feta Friday!

For each of the next few Fridays I will be giving away a fun ATHENOS Feta package to one lucky winner!

The prize package includes:

• ATHENOS Feta coupon
• ATHENOS Feta “Shape Up Your Salad” recipe booklet
• ATHENOS Feta water bottle
• Life Time Fitness 1-month membership
• Fit & Fresh salad container
• An adorable Built NY lunch bag

How to enter? Leave a comment in this post giving me your best salad ideas using ATHENOS feta!

I have some salad recipes still up my sleeve, but I want to make sure I don’t get stuck in a salad rut! You can find my previous ATHENOS feta salad posts here. You have until this evening, July 16, at midnight to enter.

Good luck and HAPPY FETA FRIDAY!

The Semi-Finalists:

Anne P: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8UL6hX0ifk
Victoria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDOkutueSSU
Jay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Feoffp7Z8
Katy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dsIvhmmrFY
Jenn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ-6jMtR7HA

To the finalists: Congratulations and best of luck!

To everyone who entered: All of the entries were so fun to watch! Thank you all for entering!!!! I hope to bring more exciting giveaways in the future!

****

Note: You do NOT need a fancy video camera to enter! Just use your point & shoot, Mac, iPhone 4, or Flip cam! Any of those should work just fine!!!!

*****

Excuse me while I wake up from my slumber to share this amazing Tempur-Pedic Better Night’s Sleep Contest with you!

In case you missed it, I have partnered with Tempur-Pedic to give one lucky winner a Tempur-Cloud-Supreme mattress!!! I have really been enjoying mine, and in fact I was a little late for work today because I overslept! That rarely happens to me, and I love it. The mattress is just the way I like it… a bit hard, but it slowly gives in to the weight of your body. It is almost like the mattress is hugging you. At least that is how I think of it!

Some official details about the TEMPUR-Cloud mattress:

The new TEMPUR-Cloud Collection offers a pillowy-soft sleep surface with the underlying support Tempur-Pedic is known for – the perfect solution to bunching sagging, wear and tear and other issues associated with traditional pillow-top mattresses.

Your TEMPUR-Cloud Supreme features an extra thick (two inches) layer of the new TEMPUR-ES, the softest TEMPUR material formulation, which delivers an innovative balance of pillowy comfort, pressure relief and more responsive support.  The TEMPUR Support Layer conforms to you and supports your body in perfect spinal alignment.  You get the soft feel you want plus the added benefits of body-contouring support, no motion disturbances and relief from pressure points.  The allergen and dust-mite resistant cover features an ultra-soft, stretchable top, coordinated MicroSuede sides and it’s removable for easy washing.

Watch the video to hear more of my thoughts on this new addition to our home!

By saying PB and I hit snooze a lot, I mean PB snoozes and I get mad at him for making noise. HA!

Basic contest rules:

Create a video that shows a compelling connection between sleep and overall well being [or what you would achieve by getting a better nights’ sleep].  Video must be less than 60 seconds in length, and must contain the following contest tags in YouTube:

• Tempur-Pedic
• TEMPUR-Cloud
• Sleep
• Mattress
• Health

Upload the video to YouTube and share a link to your video within the comments section of this post between 12:00:01 p.m. ET on July 15, 2010 and 11:59:59 a.m. ET on July 26, 2010 (“Contest Entry Period”).

For the rest of the contest rules and regulations, please click here. Please do your best to follow all the rules so that your entry will be considered!

Keep in mind- the video has to be less than 60 seconds. That can’t be that hard right?! All entries will be judged on 1) Alignment with theme (25%); 2) Creativity (25%); 3) Use of contest tags (25%) and 4) Entertainment value (25%).

So spread the word, have fun, and get to work sleep video-making!

—

I have partnered with Tempur-Pedic to help promote the Tempur-Cloud-Supreme mattress.  I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about my own experiences regarding sleep and its relation to overall well being, and hosting a giveaway where the prize has been provided by Tempur-Pedic.  As always, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Favorite posts:
Caprese Barley Salad
Healthy Chicken Salad Sandwich
Mushroom Lentil Burgers
Baked Falafel
Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Battle Local Foods
11.2009 Philadelphia Half Marathon Race Recap

It is really difficult to come from a life changing trip and be able to explain in words what that trip was like. Our trip to Jordan was an experience none of us will ever forget. I will do my best to share that experience with you in the coming days.

We are finally home. After a few flight issues we made it back on Friday night, and we are now battling jet lag. After a big trip I always need a few days to reset myself, to find my normal healthy lifestyle, and returning from this trip is no different. While I LOVED our vacation, it feels good to be home.

The keys for me to a healthy lifestyle are:

Sleep

Exercise

Water

Healthy Diet

I am going to really focus on those 4 important components to a healthy lifestyle to get myself back in my normal, at home groove. I have a little help with the first component: Sleep! I have been battling jet lag, and somehow the only thing that helps is getting a good long night of sleep. Our mattress has been in PB’s life for well over 7 years, and I never found it that comfortable. Luckily, Tempur-Pedic is helping both you and me with the issue of a good night’s rest! I have been given the opportunity to host a giveaway for a Tempur-Cloud-Supreme mattress, and I am reviewing one too! You will have to come back later this week to hear my thoughts on the mattress as well as details on how to enter the giveaway. This is a grand prize, and as such will require a bit of work to enter the contest. Get your creative minds thinking, because this contest will require a video entry. You can inspire yourself by learning about the Tempur-Cloud-Supreme mattress here. More details later this week, promise!

In the meantime, what helps you get a good night’s rest? My must haves are:

-an early dinner
-a cool room
-an early bedtime (10 PM)
-a suitable mattress!

With the humidity that met us at the Philly airport, as well as the lasting after effects of jet lag, I am in need of some serious rest. And it is high time I take it! Bring on the sleep!

—

I have partnered with Tempur-Pedic to help promote the Tempur-Cloud-Supreme mattress.  I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about my own experiences regarding sleep and its relation to overall well being, and hosting a giveaway where the prize has been provided by Tempur-Pedic.  As always, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.