Fashionable Media Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

We had the privilege of receiving two packages of Natural Vines Licorice in the mail yesterday. Yummy!

Natural Vines (TM) brand licorice is a new line of premium gourmet licorice. It is made with only natural flavors and colors from natural sources. It is sweetened with molasses (the black licorice) and pure cane sugar. Natural Vines contains no trans or saturated fats, no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives, zero cholesterol and are very low in sodium. Natural vines is also a soft, chewy licorice.

We all really liked the red licorice, which is strawberry flavored, the best. The black licorice left something to be desired, but hey, I’d eat the nine pieces to get 15% of my daily recommended iron! And I’d have Good ol’ molasses to thank for that! The licorice is very soft and chewy. Not at all tough to chew.

I found that the red licorice left a funny after-taste that I cannot quite describe, but none of the children mentioned experiencing it. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it wasn’t good either. What a contradiction, I know, but I still ate the licorice and liked it. I just wish I knew why it did that to me because it wasn’t anything I ate before the licorice because both times I had some I had not eaten since the last meal. One of my sons actually said he did not like either flavor, but he tends to be a bit more particular than the other children. Only two of the children liked the black licorice, our 2 year old and 6 year old.

Natural Vines comes in a convenient 8 oz. resealable bag, so no need for twist ties or rubber bands to store them. This licorice is such a new product that it just became available in stores this month. Check the retailers page of Natural Vines Licorice to find a store near you carrying this all natural treat.

It is nice that more companies are offering all natural snacks like Natural Vines. We’d buy them and recommend them as a tasty, all natural snack/treat.

About American Licorice Company

An industry leader in the manufacturing of extruded candy products, the American Licorice Company is one of the original licorice manufacturers in the U.S. candy industry. Since its establishment in 1914, American Licorice has brought happiness to consumers with their Red Vines, Snaps, Sour Punch, Super Ropes, Extinguisher and Natural Vines candy.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

What do you typically think when you think about a wool sweater? Itchy, heavy and hot, right? All normal thoughts because with the wool our grandmothers used, it was – plain and simple. However, with the advent of technology the way wool feels, wears and even washes has changed dramatically – for the better, I might add.

Ramblers Way is using a new technology and it is incredible how lightweight they can make wool now. You wouldn’t even know the clothing was made out of wool because it was so soft, lightweight and warm! With this new technology they are creating a soft, next-to-skin wool apparel. Imagine wearing wool without being itchy, yet being just as warm in a lightweight material as a long sleeve shirt as your grandmother’s old wool sweater? This is the kind of apparel that Ramblers Way has developed – for comfort and warmth – they’ve thought of everything. They even have wool underwear!

About Ramblers Way

Ramblers Way offers an old world concept – attractive wool garments that are made from sheep that are raised right here in the USA – but the company incorporates the most modern technology that is currently available throughout its production process.

The “WINDspun” technology that Ramblers Way garments undergo offers the smoothest, most luxurious wool yarn in the marketplace. The result is an ultra-light line of worsted wool garments warm that both keep you warm but which also breathe naturally, resulting in a year-round product.

Ramblers Way garments are not pre-washed with chlorine in the typical “super-wash” procedure that most companies use, but instead a patented enzyme treatment is used in order to prevent shrinkage and keep the garments fully washable. In addition to being entirely American-made, Ramblers Way garments are all natural, chemical-free, and eco-friendly.

CouponMom.com Helps Over 2.5 Million Members Save at the Grocery Store Every Day

Sign Up, it’s Free!

Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson says a family of four can save over $6000 in one calendar year on her system.

Americans are hungry for bargains these days, and one woman has developed the ultimate strategy for enjoying a feast of savings. Taking the nation by storm, with appearances ranging from The Oprah Winfrey Show to the Today Show, Stephanie Nelson has shown millions how to save thousands of dollars by becoming savvy coupon clippers-without sacrificing nutrition or quality.

Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, says if a family knows some simple strategies, they can save over $6,000 in one calendar year. Just this week, the site released new tutorial videos showing step by step directions explaining this system. “I’ve been saving at least $100 a week on groceries since my first son was born 17 years ago,” Nelson says. “That’s enough to pay for a child to go to college and that’s real money,” said Nelson. Consumers are taking advantage of the recession coupon craze, as over $800 million more dollars were saved with coupons in 2009 than in 2008, according to a Valassis marketing survey. Grocery coupon redemption increased by 27% in 2009 and continues to increase in 2010.

“Consumers are focusing more on planning their trips to the grocery store to save money,” said Nelson, “Being able to go to the web to find the best grocery deals at their stores, print coupons, load electronic coupons on their store cards, and even use their cell phone to access their shopping list helps save money without taking a lot of time.”

Printable grocery coupons are the fastest-growing source of coupons as busy shoppers seek “on-demand” savings. In 2009, internet distribution of coupons increased by 92% and consumer redemption of these coupons is up over 360%. CouponMom.com members alone printed over $40 million worth of free grocery coupons in 2009. “We will most certainly see an increase in the number of printable coupons available in 2010,” said Nelson. The website helps shoppers save by teaching “Strategic Shopping.”

CouponMom.com offers free membership, tutorials, and the “Grocery Deals by State” section to make saving simple by listing the best grocery deals at thousands of supermarkets across the country. These lists combine sale prices with store promotions and coupons, helping any shopper achieve dramatic savings. Shoppers can even use their cell phone in the store to find grocery deals and have coupons electronically loaded on their store loyalty card. CouponMom.com has a mobile version to help shoppers create their shopping lists on the go.

Nelson’s new book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, (Published by Avery, a member of Penguin Group, USA), on the New York Times Bestseller List for four weeks, is more proof that consumers are hungry for new ways to save. It is a relevant and timely resource for families nationwide.

“Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Nelson. “We outline my Strategic Shopping Method and show consumers how easy it is to save at every type of store, in every department within the grocery store, and for every type of shopper.”

Nelson suggests watching the new tutorials on the site to easily learn the system of saving with coupons and combining them with in-store savings.

“It is very realistic for a family of four to be able to save $500 a month,” says Nelson, “At least $100 a week with grocery sales/coupons and $25 a week with other coupons (restaurant, clothes, online shopping, travel, bookstores, bowling, etc)…that’s $6,000 a year!”

CouponMom.com is the country’s leading grocery deals site with over 2.5 million members who take advantage of this service. Here
are some beginner’s tips to follow:

1.) Plan your meals and shopping lists around featured sale items. Use your store’s weekly sales ad flier to plan your menus for the week. Write your shopping list around the items and brands that are on sale.

2.) Use grocery coupons, ideally when the item is on sale. Buy the Sunday newspaper–75 percent of grocery coupons come from the newspaper.

3.) Go online–grocery stores often have their best deals and printable coupons on their websites. Many stores offer electronic coupons that go directly on your store discount card.

4.) Stock up on common items when they hit their lowest price.

5.) Be flexible about brands and stores. Buy the brand that’s on sale with a coupon, or get the store brand if it’s less expensive.

These are just a few of the tips you can find, for more go to www.CouponMom.com

FashionPlaytes

We have mentioned FashionPlaytes before and even have a giveaway going on until Sunday for a $20 gift card to the site so your tween fashionista may have the opportunity to design her own article of clothing. This unique site allows young girls to design their own clothing and then buy it! They can choose from over 20 designs, colors, shapes, and sizes. They have a variety of fun things to add on to your clothing from rhinestones, appliques, to fun prints!

www.FashionPlaytes.com

Rebelle Girlz

This is a site we mentioned earlier in the year and wrote a review about their Friendship bags for girls. My daughters are still enjoying their Rebelle Friendship bags. The website is really fun because girls not only get to shop for the bags but they receive their own designing studio where they can design everything from cool accessories to chic dresses! And then send them to Miss Daisy to check out! Imagine a real designer checking out their designs!

www.RebelleGirlz.com

Barbie Girls

For all the Barbie fans out there. Barbie fans will be disappointed in this site if they are expecting Barbie as the dolls are not really Barbies but little girls! Or at least they don’t resemble the Barbie Dolls I remember. Perhaps that is why they are called Barbie Girls. They have a nice collection of dress up accessories for girls to choose from though!

www.BarbieGirls.com

Bella Sara (more for horse lovers though) This cute site has a lot of really fun online games for girls of all ages! Girls can dress a girl and pick her horse and ride of into the “sunset” for tons of adventures! From helping people to going on secret missions with/for Sara. My daughters love this website. The only thing downside is that to get the best selection of fashion things and the best horses you need to pay a small fee. Otherwise, there is the freebie basic membership available.

www.BellaSara.com

Hello Kitty (for really young fashionistas)

Play Hello Kitty games, print off coloring sheets, create your own play scenes, and check out the latest Hello Kitty fashion products.

www.sanrio.com/fun_and_games/?fg=FunAndGames

American Girl

American Girl has come out with a fashion quiz to see test the fashion knowledge of young fashionistas! Do they really do know a lot about fashion or only think they do?! Of course, girls and moms can also check out American Girls other products and learn some fun history facts!

www.AmericanGirl.com/fun/quizzes/quizzes.php?quiz=fashionfun

This post is brought to you by your friends at www.ShopWiki.com

I happen to like shopping and this post may be a little late for Father’s Day as it just went by, but there are still birthdays, just because days, anniversaries (ours is coming up at the end of the month – 16 years! So I am in need of an anniversary gift for men, well, my man! Maybe some Drakkar.…) and Christmas (only 6 months away! ) to shop for the men/man in your life.

From the Comfort of Home

While going out and shopping in the malls can be fun, online shopping is easier and faster without the crowds and long lines. At Shop Wiki you can find a lot of different products. You can even be inspired if your husband or father is hard to buy for since Shop Wiki has a Men’s Fall Guide, Men’s Winter Guide, and also their Men’s Designer Clothing section.

The nice thing about Shop Wiki is that they have do the comparative pricing and shopping guides! This enables you can see which deals are the best buys for your man/dad. Whether you are buying suits, pants, or any clothing for men you can find what you need at Shop Wiki. Plus you get to leave the long lines, crowds, and messy stores behind! Shopping for men at Shop Wiki means you get to shop at your own pace, within your own time frame because you don’t have to adhere to store hours and do it from the comfort of your own home, without any walking! Walking is good, but if you happen to be expecting long shopping trips tend to be more tiring than invigorating. Let’s be honest! Besides all the trips expectant moms take to the bathroom makes shopping from the home computer much easier thanks to Shop Wiki. Shop Wiki has plenty of products for the whole family, so be sure to check them out.

Happy Shopping!

How did you like that video of Luxe Link’s commercial? Isn’t this an neat, eco-friendly gift? A gift to ourselves even! Here’s what Luxe Link has to say about their eco-friendly product that gives back, consider it a last minute Mother’s Day gift idea:

We all spend more than we’d like to admit on your handbags, and of course you simply just love your purse… We know how you feel.

The Luxe Link™ purse hook has been invented to do just that, keep your purse off the icky ground, and kick your fabulousity factor up a notch! The exclusive Luxe Link™ handbag holder is also environmentally friendly and made only with recycled materials.

No larger than the size of poker chip, Luxe Link™ purse holders are portable, light, and easy-peasy to use.

Instead of a cumbersome traditional purse hook, the Luxe Link™ purse hook has a stylish chain that wraps around a swanky circular top, adorned with a modern, playful design and Luxe Links also converts into a stylish purse charm by using it’s unique clasp like feature that allows you to attach your Luxe Link to the strap of your bag. Never again will you have to dig into the big abyss to find it.

So ladies! What on earth are we doing with our handbags on the ground? Be sure to look for their new Hello Kitty Luxe Link that will be available towards the end of the month!

Please stay tuned for a Luxe Link Giveaway on the last Monday of May because they have generously offered to sponsor a reader giveaway!

Thank you Luxe Link!

This week, Shopping & Goodies thinks this is your lucky day! We are featuring all the absolute best giveaways and contests that are happening RIGHT NOW and collected them into one post so you can enter them all!

The Fashionable Housewife is giving away FOUR $25 vouchers for Fibers.com so you can design you own custom t-shirt!

The Fashionable Gal is giving away Project Runway Video Computer Game to THREE winners!!

The Fashionable Bambino – If you or someone you know has a baby, then you’ll want to enter our NEW! Kokopax City Baby Carrier Giveaway!!

TheFind is giving away one Shoe Buy $75 gift card. Enter now for your chance to win and splurge on a pair of new spring sandals!

SomeoneSpoilMe.com is giving away a FREE BOX of AWARD WINNING Easter Cookies! Enter to Win!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away the newest drink to hit the runway!Starbucks Vanilla Light Frappuccino and The Timbukto Messenger Bag. Enter to win!

Shopping and Info is giving away a ladies automatic watchfrom Orient Watches.

Fashion Cents gives you the ammunition to address the style basics. If you don’t need it, you definitely know someone who does. Enter to WIN NOW (and regift if you like).

Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy and Snubbr.com are having a giveaway! All you have to do is tell us your beauty must-haves!

More fabulousness from across the blogosphere…

Fashion Hippo finds the best Nudes and Neutrals Shoes for Spring

StyleMaven is stocking up on Spring essentials this week including an Akiko tunic and Peeptoe Booties…so excited that Saks is giving away an Elizabeth and James scarf with purchase.

What’s Haute Magazine: now you can wear Mackage coats in the spring with Mackage Packables!

Quinta Trends talks to Peruvian designer Eugenia Buendía

The Well-Heeled Society is offering a spring bouquet of $15 off all US orders from Forzieri with coupon code MDAY2010.

Style Eyes has found the perfect solution to her problem of travelling in style with a laptop handbag

Handbag du Jour gives you one last chance to grab bags from Jack Rabbit Collection!

Couture In The City is excited about this latest shoe trend: Cork-Soled Platforms!

Fashionable Media Review Policy: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

How often do you misplace or lose your shopping lists, especially your grocery list and cannot find it when you are ready to go out the door? The Supermarket Smarty is a new grocery list tool that will help you keep track of your list and save you time. It is actually a reuseable card that folds and has the products categorized according to food groups and product type. I haven’t noticed that it is missing anything yet and have had it for nearly a month. It is a pretty thorough list. However, I did notice that if you shop at more than one store then there really isn’t a way to distinguish where you will buy the item or put the sale price, unless you made notes in between the columns – that space is limited though.

The Supermarket Smarty includes a dry erase marker, a large magnet that has the ability to hold the marker too, as well as a little pocket for a small amount of coupons. On the front side of the card there is a small window that acts as a magnifying glass to help shoppers with the small print on products when they want to read the ingredient list.

I really like the Supermarket Smarty and think it is a very useful tool that enables me to keep track of my grocery shopping needs easily and conveniently since I can keep it in the kitchen on the refrigerator. I also like the fact that I don’t have to write everything down. I just need to enter quantities. Although, there is a little section for notes, so I guess that is where I could list the stores that I want to go.

Take a tour and look at the product up close at the following link:

http://www.supermarketsmarty.com/tour.html

You may also buy the Supermarket Smarty for $12.99 at http://www.supermarketsmarty.com/order_smarty.html

Just wanted to update you on the Coupon Mom Show, the new money-saving series from nationally known author, mom and coupon clipper Stephanie Nelson (aka Coupon Mom). In her new series, Nelson teaches real families how to save BIG by sharing her infamous tips and tricks on how to get the biggest bang for your buck without sacrificing quality.

Four exciting and informative webisodes of the show have already been posted on YouTube, with new ones premiering every Thursday! In the first four episodes, Coupon Mom shares her tips on how to cut your grocery bill by over 70%, how to save while eating at restaurants, and even how to make a profit by using coupons at the drugstore!!!!!

Coupon Mom will be sharing her savings secrets every week in a new episode of the Coupon Mom Show through April.

Take a sneak peek at one of her bonus tips:

And below is last week’s show and this week’s should be up too, but I wrote this up a day too early….shhhhh

Most women like receiving flowers, but what about an edible arrangement, one that includes chocolate covered strawberries? Does the sound of that tantalize your taste buds? They sure look good to me! Here is a short video about Edible Arrangements and below it, I will share a few new arrangements they have come up with just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Inspired by the beauty of long-stemmed roses, Edible Arrangements Berry Chocolate Roses are a clever alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. Featuring gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries arranged on stem-shaped skewers, Berry Chocolate Roses mark the newest fresh fruit arrangement to debut from Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit displays and chocolate-dipped fruit. Each hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberry bouquet is arranged in a signature red box — making it a beautiful, delicious and unique gift solution for the holiday.

“Valentine’s Day is not just about your sweetheart,” said Steve Thomas, Vice President of Marketing for Edible Arrangements. “Whether surprising mom or sharing our Berry Chocolate Roses with a friend, the delicious combination of fresh strawberries and gourmet chocolate is a fun and delicious gift for those looking for a unique and fresh idea this holiday.”

Arranged by the dozen, Edible Arrangements Berry Chocolate Roses are available in semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate varieties, or a combination of both. Signature Berry Chocolate Roses boxes start at $49. Available at EdibleArrangements.com