DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for August, 2014

Olixar OmniHolder Universal In-Car Mount

Hello friends,

you know that saying, “big things come in small packages”? Well that is how I would describe this Olixar OmniHolder Universal In Car Mount.

Olixar OmniHolder Review

 

It’s small, lightweight and is the perfect size for “Bloggy Buggy’s” dashboard yet it’s sturdy enough to keep a grip on my Galaxy S4 Smartphone.  It has a padded extending arm to fit other phone models so I can let one of my mini men use it on occasion. I used the adhesive plate to mount it onto the dash but there is also a suction cup so they can put it onto their windshield.

Olixar OmniHolder Review

It’s also small enough as not to be a distraction while I’m driving and can be rotated or tilted in case I want to use the GPS feature on my phone.

What I like most about the car holder is that once I put my phone into it, it stays put. I don’t have to worry about my phone falling onto the floor on sliding off the seat when I need to brake hard. It stays visible yet out of reach which keeps me from checking email and social media at stop lights, which is a bad habit that I need to break.

The car holder was ordered and shipped quickly from Mobile Fun.com and I am seriously thinking about getting one for my mini men as a Christmas Stocking Stuffer that way I’ll always have mine in the car.

Let’s Chat, do you check your Smartphone when stopped at a red light?

Me and my Bloggy Buggy mobilefun1

#mobilefun.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


Weekend Wind-Down Party #34 | Holiday Hurrah

Hello friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Link Party #34

wwdparty

Before we begin, I want to once again thank Karen @MrsLookingGood for selecting me to be part of her Up Close and Personal  feature.  It was truly a humbling experience and if you would like to read my interview, please click on the picture below.

Up Close and Personal with DeDivahDeals Before you leave or head out to celebrate the last big hurrah of the summer, LABOR labor day DAY (yay), please take a little time to link up at the #WWDParty, then visit a few other blogs.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEK’S FEATURED BLOGGERS

More Pieces of Me

From This Kitchen Table

 

Color Me Tuesday: Bright Cobalt via Undergraduate Style
Little Brother’s Patchwork Quilt via Audrey B


Turn an Entertainment Center into a Fireplace via Eat Pray Read Love

Feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and follow the party on Pinterest as you are also featured there.

I WAS FEATURED #WWDPARTY

 

link party hosts rules to follow edited

De Divah Deals

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

Snippets of Inspiration

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+

A Living Sacrifice

 Blog/Facebook/Pinterest/Etsy

 Mustard Seed Mommy

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+

 Moms Who Save 

 Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+


Poke Cake | Labor Day Dessert


Hello friends,

 

are you gearing up for this long Labor Day Weekend?  What are your plans, will you be heading to the parks, a pool party, or just chillaxin at home?  I will be doing a little grilling using the Yoshi Grill Mats, cleaning out a few closets and watching movies.

This holiday is going to be bittersweet because it’s the first one without Malik and also because it’s the last official one of the summer. I keep telling myself, “this too shall pass!”

A few weeks ago, I decided to make a Poke Cake after seeing a recipe for one online.

Poke Cake Recipe

  

Hubby was a little skeptical because he had never heard of pouring jello over a cake, thinking it would be too soggy so in his mind he didn’t like it even before tasting it. Poke Cake Recipe

Using Duncan Hines cake mix and following the box directions I allowed the cake to cool before poking in the holes.

Poke Cake Recipe

While the cake cooled, I made the gelatin, using Jolly Rancher Blue Raspberry for a holiday “red white and blue” theme.

Using a wooden skewer I poked random holes into the cake, stopping half way through then poured the liquid gelatin across the top.

poke cake

The pan was then placed in the refrigerator for approximately three hours to set.  After removing the cake from the pan it was frosted and topped with canned strawberries.

Poke Cake Recipe I loved it, hubby, again not so much but of course my mini men ate several slices.  

 

Have you ever made a Poke Cake?  If so, what jello and toppings did you use?  
728x90 banner - pizzaPlated
Don’t forget to come back at 6:00 for the #WWDParty.

 

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png

 

 

 

 

 

 


Summer Scarf & Thankful Thursday

PersonalizationMall.com - Personalized Romantic Gifts
Hello friends,

 

I am thankful that the summer weather here in the Mid-Atlantic area has not been oppressively hot and humid.  We did get some really heated days earlier in the season but then came those low to mid-80’s temps which were fantastic.

Last month I read a blog post by Mo over at “Who is that Girl Mo” which gave me the inspiration to wear this scarf.

Summer Scarf

I wore the outfit on a Casual Friday which is when I like wearing my white jeans or pants.

Thrifted White pants

I have several pairs of white pants, these included which were thrifted from Goodwill, the infinity scarf was purchased last fall from Burlington Coat Factory.

Summer Scarf

The sleeveless tank top, tote bag and wrap-around bracelet are all from Avon – didn’t I tell you that they have nice accessories!

Summer Scarf

I love how these Montego Bay sandals pulls in the colors from the scarf.  

Thank you Mo for the inspiration, whoa, hold on…wait a minute…come to think of it…I did wear a summer scarf last year…uh oh, I think I just had a a “senior moment”!

arrow

infinity scarf worn with a maxi

June 2013 OOTD – click on picture to see entire post

Well it was probably a temporary lapse in memory, but I am thankful that I did remember and thanks to Mo’s post, it was the trigger.

 

This has been yet another wonderful week and yesterday our ‘baby bird’ left the nest!  Both of our sons are now in college and I am thankful for that, even if my wallet isn’t.  

I am thankful for the time we have together as a family, I am thankful for my friends and of most importantly I am thankful for my faith. 

Now it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?  

I hope you will join me over at Katherine’s Corner to share some of your favorite things.

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png

Wigsbuy.com


You Choose the Shoes Week 19 | Bye Bye Birdie

Hello friends,

before we begin this week’s contest please hand me a tissue and then let’s do a group hug…because today is the day that my little birdie leaves the nest!  

bird's nest

Yes, we are enroute to Bowie State University where he will be living for the next 4 years, and hopefully only 4!  Where did the time go?  I still remember his first day of school like it was just yesterday!

MelissaAndDoug.com- Over 2,000 Unique and Exciting Toys for Children of All Ages! Click here!
Malik's 1st day of school 1999

Oh well, on the flip side, it’s one less mouth to feed and another closet to store my shoes…speaking of which – welcome to Week 19 of “You Choose the Shoes“.  

Thank you all for voting last week, but I had a feeling that the Montego Bay slides were not going to win – they were just a bit too busy.  So congratulations to “Lady in Red“.

winner of week 18  

This weeks contenders are very similar in style and you will be choosing between shoes with a bow and a pair without a bow.

Bow or no Bow Shoe

If memory serves me well these wedges, one pair Dollhouse and the other Bamboo were purchased at either Ross or Rugged Wearhouse.  Today with them I am wearing a tie dye maxi skirt from Marshalls and a thrifted top and belt from Goodwill.

Bow or no Bow Shoe

The no-bow pair, has juke rope around the bottom and are very comfortable.

no bow

The straps are adjustable and the color is neutral enough to be worn with many outfits.

You Choose the Shoes

The ‘bow‘ pair are also very comfortable, faux suede and neutral in color, however, the straps are not adjustable.

You Choose the Shoes

 Okay, have you made a decision?  Will it be the “bow” pair

You Choose the Shoes

or the “no bow pair”?

You Choose the Shoes

Before you vote, take a look at them solo

Bow or No Bow Bow or No Bow

 Leave a comment below, then head over to Karen’s place at MrsLookingGood to check out my bio which she highlights in her Up Close and Personal Feature.   

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png

Think Outside the Take-out box - and SHOP NOW!


Grandma’s Hands Pure Shea Butter


Hello friends,  I hope you are having a terrific day.  

Last week after watching those family videos I started thinking more about my grandmother.  I remember her looking at her hands and saying, “wow, my hands look so old“. When she’d say that, I would hold both of her hands in mine, give them each a kiss and say, “Mama, your hands are so beautiful”.  

Keeping her hands smooth and wrinkle free was always a major concern of hers and now it has become one of mine.  When I look at my hands I too see signs of aging, and although that isn’t a bad thing I do know how she felt.  

Shea Butter Review

Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter is a great treatment for minor burns, eczema, dark spots, discoloration, blemishes and dry skin which can make you look older.   Pregnant women and new mother’s can also use pure Shea Butter to treat stretch marks. Cleopatra’s Choice is a fair trade product produced by women subsistence farmers in Ghana, Africa.

Shea Butter Review

Because Shea Butter is good for preventing wrinkles and keeping your skin moisturized, I keep this container on the nightstand as a reminder to use on both my hands and feet before going to bed.

Shea Butter on the nightstand

 

There is no overpowering scent to this long lasting, deep absorbing Shea Butter and it will not clog my pores or leave my skin feeling greasy.  This winter I’ll probably use it on my elbows and knees before leaving the house in the mornings.  

Cleopatra’s Choice 100% Pure African Shea Butter can be ordered from Amazon.com and it will be quickly shipped so that you can have it before the end of sandal season.  

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.


Steel Grey Monday OOTD

TimeForMeCatalog.com

Hello friends,

welcome back from the weekend, I hope it was enjoyable and you were able to do something fun.  Malik and I went shopping for his dormitory needs…I am not even going to tell you how much money we spent.  It should be a Blue Monday but instead it’s a Steel Grey Day.

Steel Grey OOTD

This top was thrifted from Goodwill and the skirt is a JCPenney clearance find.  Thankfully, I know how to save when it comes to shopping for myself, my checkbook really took a hit this weekend!

l.e.i sandals

The l.e.i. sandals are several years old and were purchased from either Walmart or Kmart, can’t remember which, but I do know that I love the cork and stud details.

Steel Grey OOTD

I used to shop online at Jewelrymax.net which is where I purchased the necklace, and the bracelet was a Flea Market find. Believe it or not, I haven’t set up a table nor even visited the Middletown flea market this entire summer!

 

Steel Grey OOTD I hope your Monday remains stress free and if you get a chance, stop by at Whitney’s blog to check out her Personal Style Linkups.

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png

LinkShare_336x280


Middletown Old Tyme Peach Festival Marks the End of Summer

Hello friends,

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful end of the summer Saturday.  I know summer doesn’t officially end until September 22nd, but for some strange reason, the Middletown Old Tyme Peach Festival seems to mark the end of it for me.

Middletown Peach Festival

The Peach Festival was actually held last weekend and Malik and I were only able to spend about an hour there.  Most of the morning we were in Walmart shopping for dorm supplies so unfortunately by the time we arrived there were no peaches left!  

You have to get there early to even get a slice of peach pie from the M.O.T. Jean Birch Center.  The crowds were large and the weather was warm but not an oppressive heat as it had been in previous years.

 

Peach Festival


Peach Festival - Candy Connections A few places like The Java House and Off the Kuff were no longer in business, instead they were replaced by Jewelpalooza and Candy Connections both great shops especially for this kid-friendly town.  

 

Thankfully, Saving Grace Christian Bookstore was still open so we popped in there for a short visit.  There are so many great gift ideas so make sure to pick up something for the holidays.

Peach Festival Peach Festival 018

Peach Festival 001 Peach Festival

Peach Festival 008

Peach Festival Peach Festival

Now that the fireworks from the 4th of July and the parade of the Peach festival are over, there is one last major summer event in Middletown, the M.O.T. Big Ball Marathon.  

This fun, and family friendly fundraiser is held during the Labor Day weekend and then that will definitely mark the end of the Summer 2014!

Peach Festival Peach Festival Peach Festival

Peach Festival

 Does your town have an “end of the summer festival”?

Peach Festival 003 Peach Festival 006

Peach Festival 012 Peach Festival 016

Peach Festival 019 Peach Festival 020

Peach Festival 024 Peach Festival 035

 

 

Fall in love with your skin with organic skin care products from TruOrganic.com


Weekend Wind-Down Party Week #33

Happy Fri-Yay!

Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Link Party!

wwdparty

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS WEEK’S FEATURED BLOGGERS

 

What the Fork Blog

What the Fork Blog

Raias Recipes

Raias Recipes

oh my heartsie girl

oh my heartsie girl

 

 

 

 

Please feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and check our Pinterest Page as you are also featured there.

I WAS FEATURED #WWDPARTY

Please read and follow the rules then kick back and enjoy!

rules to follow edited

   link party hosts

De Divah Deals

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest

Snippets of Inspiration

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+

A Living Sacrifice

 Blog/Facebook/Pinterest/Etsy

 Mustard Seed Mommy

Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+

 Moms Who Save 

 Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Google+


Yoshi Grill Mats | Unsolicited Review

OmahaSteaks.com, Inc.

 

Summer is the season for grilling and I am not going to lie, I’m NOT a good griller.  I never know how long to keep the meat on the grill so it usually ends up being overcooked, dry or burned.

I received an iDevices Bluetooth connected kitchen thermometer from @SwitchToTurkey, but haven’t had a chance to program it.  I love seeing grill marks on meat but never put it directly onto the grates, only onto a piece of non-stick foil.

We purchased a Char Broil Red grill in 2010 but the bottom pans have already rusted away so the flames chars the food more than it cooks it.  

One evening hubby heard me complaining about the grill so he took it upon himself to order a Yoshi Grill Mat, one of those “As Seen On TV” items, he’s such a sweet man!

It seemed like it took forever to arrive but when it finally did, I was far from impressed.

Yoshi Grill Mats

Not having seen the commercial I wasn’t sure how these “plastic” mats were going to work on a hot propane grill, so I didn’t bother to use them for over a week.  

When I finally decided to give them a try I was truly surprised and thoroughly pleased with the results!  I used one mat for the chicken but wasn’t sure about the veggies so I kept them in the pan before placing them onto their own grill mat.

veggies for the grill drumsticks on the grill

chicken thighs on the grill mat

It was true, the chicken and veggies cooked nicely and there were even grill marks.  Nothing burned or dried out, everything was moist – these Yoshi Grill Mats will definitely be used on the grill for the rest of the season.

grilled chicken on the Yoshi Grill Mat

grilled chicken thighs

For dessert I made this watermelon summer salad after seeing it on a Google+ post, which was a perfect way to end the meal.

ootd 8  6 14 001

If you are a Grill Master you need to order a set of Yoshi Grill Mats!  

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

dedivahdealssignature2_thumb.png