Summer is finally here and it’s time to slow down and relax. Brunch and cocktails with the girls sounds like a divine idea! Smirnoff is making it easy to indulge in cocktail favorites with their new Sorbet Light Vodka infused with the natural flavors of luscious fruits. For the health conscious, you’ll be pleased to know that Sminoff Sorbet Light is only 78 calories per 1.5 oz. serving. This makes them 25% lower in calories than the leading dessert-inspired flavored vodkas. I know I’m not over here counting any calories, but thought I’d mention it for those who do. Haha! *crunches down on bacon and takes a sip*

Smirnoff Light Sorbet infused vodkas are available in three yummy flavors; Lemon, Raspberry Pomegranate, and Mango Passion Fruit. We had the opportunity to sample the three courtesy of Smirnoff (disclosure). I’ve been sharing them because there’s no way I can possibly drink all the spirits. Anywho. The Mango Passion Fruit is my favorite diluted in lots of Ginger Ale. I’ve been on a tropical kick lately, but what else is new? Smirnoff Light Sorbet can be enjoyed with juice or a citrus-y soda. Here are some simple cocktail recipes provided by Smirnoff. May I add that these would be fabulous slushed up a bit?

Smirnoff Sorbet Light* Lemon Pomegranate Punch

1.5 oz Lemon SMIRNOFF SORBET™ Light
2.5 oz Diet Sprite
1.5 oz Pomegranate Juice

Calories-106 Carbohydrates-8.3 G; Protein-0 G; Fat-0 G

Smirnoff Sorbet Light* Pomegranate Berry Punch

1.5 oz Raspberry Pomegranate SMIRNOFF SORBET™ Light
2 oz Diet Ginger Ale
1 oz Cranberry Juice

Calories-92 Carbohydrates-4.8 G; Protein-0 G; Fat-0 G

Smirnoff Sorbet Light* Tropical Martini

1.5 oz Mango Passion Fruit SMIRNOFF SORBET™ Light
1.5 oz Coconut Water
1 oz Pineapple Juice

Calories-103 Carbohydrates-7.4 G; Protein-0 G; Fat-0 G

Raspberry Smirnoff Sorbet & Raspberry Lemonade

Another idea for those looking to steer clear of juice and soda would be a spiked smoothie. Doesn’t that sound so naughty? But just imagine how delicious that would be!

What are some of your favorite cocktails? Feel free to share in the comments!

This is a sponsored post by Smirnoff Sorbet Light. All reviews/opinions expressed in this post are unbiased & based on my personal view. This drink is intended for those who are of legal age to consume. Remember to enjoy responsibly. If you’re pregnant, don’t drink. If you’re nursing, do some research and make an educated decision on alcohol consumption. Mmkay? Peace.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | No comment - Oh, I see how it is...

We live in an area where quaint shops and restaurants are bountiful. There are a number of coffee shops, bakeries, and ice cream parlors. They all thrive because they each have their own specialties, but most importantly, they treat their customers like family.

On Jayden’s 5th birthday, we took him for cupcakes at Designer Desserts. We felt right at home as we walked into the whimsical little place with a side of quirk. The staff was very nice. One lady in particular stood out from the rest. She seemed to be the head mama in charge, welcoming us in, and showing us the specials. She pulled out her iPhone and showed us the baker’s latest custom order; gorgeous peacock cupcakes.

After ordering our cupcakes, we sat down to enjoy them. She came over to play with Jaxon and also offered Jayden a free cupcake to take home since it was his birthday. Her personality was purely sweeter than the cupcakes.

To complement the bakery’s great atmosphere and hospitality, they also have a thoroughly done website making it even easier to share their business with locals. The icing on the cupcake! In this digital era, having a website makes it even easier to benefit from word-of-mouth marketing. Designer Desserts have all their basis covered and that’s what makes them one of our favorite local business.

Unfortunately, not all local businesses are aware of the importance of having a website. They suffer from what Go Daddy calls, No WebSitis. To fight the plague of #NoWebsitis, Go Daddy is currently awarding websites to ten local small businesses. You can nominate them to enter the contest or vote for your favorite.You could also win a $50 Visa Gift for nominating them. Sweeeeet.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Go Daddy. The opinions and text are all mine.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | No comment - Oh, I see how it is...

Home improvements can add value to your home. Both major structural works and internal renovations can increase the resale price for your home, and those preparing to sell and move on often precede that process with improvements and maintenance to push for more in the sale. While every home will have different needs, depending on its age and state of repair, there are some home improvements that will have a more considerable effect on market value. So when it comes to thinking about your home, which improvements are most likely to increase its value to prospective buyers?

Structural Maintenance

Perhaps most obviously, structural maintenance projects add considerable value to your home. These are the types of job that extend the lifespan of the building, and without periodic maintenance any home can quickly fall into disrepair. Externally, new windows, doors, guttering and other types of projects can have a big impression on the overall appearance from the outside, while helping with energy efficiency and insulation. Make sure the roof is well maintained and in good, weather-tight condition. Bellevue Roofing contractors can offer quotes on this type of job. However, these costs can be more than offset by the increase in the resale value of your home as a result.

Bathroom Renovation

Renovating your bathroom facilities is key to making your home a desirable target for potential buyers. When you are selling your home, convenience can help you secure a much higher price than competing homes. New bathrooms, or homes where the plumbing infrastructure has recently been improved, tend to see an increase in buyer interest over those that are in visible need of work. A new bath, toilet, shower and basin can make the bathrooms in your home much more desirable, which in turn will influence those who are considering purchasing your home. Particularly in the current climate, making your home stand out is essential to securing a purchase – it might just be the bathroom that persuades on your behalf.

A New Kitchen

Some commentators suggest that it is the kitchen, above all else, that adds value to homes. Kitchens are undoubtedly one of the focal rooms of the home, and for most buyers it is one they are most particular about. Space and the shape of the kitchen area is one issue. For example, those with families might want a dining space in their kitchen, or might prefer a more spacious layout. Or, it might simply be the case that your kitchen is in need of modernization. A new kitchen is one of these home improvements that, if handled correctly and to budget, can pay for itself in the resale value of your home.

Not every home improvement is carried out with resale value in mind. There are plenty of valid reasons that you might personally look to instigate this type of maintenance and repair on your home. But for anyone preparing to list their home with a realtor with a view to selling up, these types of improvements can be a worthwhile investment in your home and the price you are able to attract for it.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | No comment - Oh, I see how it is...

On a recent stop at Walmart, I noticed a display of fresh cherries in the produce section. I glanced at the signage and thought they were $3 and some change. Excited, I grabbed them to snack on and add to scones I was planning to make. When we scanned them at checkout, they rang up at $11. Obviously, they were $3+ per pound. DUH. The cashier overseeing the self checkout came over and told me that she bought a bag the day before and she too cringed at the price, but it was totally worth watching her grandchildren devour them. Her story made me feel better about my $11 cherries, haha.

We returned home and snacked on some of the cherries. I froze some to make sure we had enough for the scones. Reserving certain foods around here is a must or I wouldn’t have any left for recipes. I’ve had to go back to the store countless times because Jayden couldn’t resist eating from my recipe stash.

Back to the scones. I’m surprised at how much they taste like biscuits, only they are sweet. I know I’ve had them before at events, but at the time I saw them as just another yummy sweet pastry. I’m happy to have found a new bread recipe that we can enjoy. The base is perfect for a savory biscuit as well so I can omit the sweets and replace with savory ingredients. I will be sticking with this one for sure!

Let’s begin!

Edited to add:

Mmm, Juicy Approved.

Have you tried scones? What are some of your favorite flavors/recipes?

As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | 1 comment - Let's chat!

Finding a suitable gift for dad on Father’s Day can be one of the most challenging buying experiences. While there may be interests and hobbies that generate ideas, men can easily end up receiving the same gifts year on year. While golf balls and guitar strings might have been a nice idea last year, it’s important to find gifts that will be unique and interesting enough to show how much you care.

Mechanics and gadgets are a good area to pursue, with most fathers exhibiting a boyish passion for technology and how things work. To this end, mechanical watches and accessories can be a good angle for finding a gift that is both practical and stylish for the father in your life. This is the type of gift that your dad might be unlikely to buy for himself, but would secretly appreciate – ideal for those trying to choose something different but appropriate.

With mechanical watches, the beauty is in the mechanism. Watches that require winding tend to be much more durable and therefore more valuable constructions. While this means they are more visually appealing in many instances, there is also an associated task of winding along with ongoing maintenance to ensure the watch remains in good condition.

This is perhaps the most basic element of caring for a mechanical watch, but it is essential to keep the watch powered and operational. Watches that are not wound will lose the time, and they will slow to an eventual halt – not good when you rely on the time to get the kids out to school or to get to work. This means hand-winding at the end of every day, and is just another task that needs to be included in your dad’s end-of-day routine.

One solution to this problem is mechanical watch winders, which can do the winding for you when you’re not wearing any particular mechanical watch. This is also a lower cost gift idea for the man that already owns a winding watch. While a new, mechanical timepiece might just push the budget too far for Father’s Day, a winder can be a helpful gadget that actually makes caring for a watch that bit easier.

Those who look to Buywatchwinders will see that there are a number of options open to them. This makes it easy to find automatic watch winders that suit your father’s style and budget preferences, to relieve this daily obligation and secure a truly innovative gift.

Some mechanical watches are self-winding, in that they have the ability to wind themselves as they are worn throughout the day. These mechanisms are slightly weighted in order to benefit from the natural movements of daily life. While these watches are being worn, they automatically wind themselves through the course of the day. However, if these watches are not worn, or are left off the wrist for too long, they too can lose time and require hand-winding like any other mechanical watch.

Whether your dad is a watch enthusiast, or simply wears a winding watch in his daily life, an automatic watch winder can be an interesting, unique gift idea with practical benefits. Something a bit different for Father’s Day, an automatic winder is the type of gift your dad will cherish and use for years to come.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | No comment - Oh, I see how it is...

Father’s Day is this Sunday. What are you doing for the special Father’s in your life? Moms aren’t the only ones who indulge in treats from time to time. Dads often have their special stash that is off limits as well. A fun Father’s Day gift for the snacking enthusiast would be a ginormous treat jar decorated by the kids! That’s exactly what the kids (OMG I have TWO kids now) and I decided to do for Greg.

I knew this was something that he’d absolutely love, but debated if I’d share it because it by no means is healthy… However, I’m sure we can all be mature and laugh at it, can’t we? What do they say about moderation? Alrighty then. Of course what you decide to put in your treat jar is up to you, but if you dump every gummy/sugary candy you can find in the jar like me, the recipient must be able to exercise discipline, be able to share, and brush often. Hey, you might want to attach a toothbrush to the jar. That being said, don’t be hating on my gift idea to hubby :-).

Materials

1-Gallon Jar with lid
Non-Toxic Enamel Paint
Foam Spouncer Tops
Letter Stencils
Treats to fill jar

…all of which can be purchased at Walmart.

Instructions

Take turns decorating the jar by stenciling on a personalized message. Cover kid hands in paint and let them stamp hand prints on the jar. Cure the paint in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 degree F. Make sure the jar that you’re using is oven-safe! Let jar cool off completely before adding treats.

The treats can be as outrageous…

or as simple as you’d like. Happy Father’s Day!

As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | 3 comments - Let's chat!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Remington. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and as a thank you for participating.

One of the things that I dread about Summer is body hair removal. I absolutely hate shaving, but I love being smooth and groomed. I’m so impatient and it seems like the hair grows back so fast. Removal creams irritate my skin and I’d rather just shave than mess with wax. I was invited to try a new at home hair removal product by Remington that keeps hair from growing back after a few treatments. I, without hesitation hopped on the opportunity. This new product dubbed the i-LIGHT Pro uses scientifically-designed pulses of light to stop hair growth, targeting to hair only, leaving the skin clear, smooth, and beautiful.

What’s In The Box?

The i-LIGHT Pro device
A replaceable cartridge that includes 1,500 flashes, good for up to 2-3 full body (lower legs, underarms, bikini line) treatments
Power cord
Lint free cleaning cloth
Use and Care Guide
Instructional DVD

The i-LIGHT Pro can be used by both men and women for hair removal below the neck (legs, underarms, bikini line, chest, stomach, and arms). The product should not be used anywhere on or around the face, head, ears or neck. This includes around the eyes, eyebrows or eyelashes. Don’t do it.

An important thing to note is that the i-LIGHT Pro works best on medium to darker hair colors as it will not work on light colored hair like white and grey. It is also less effective on lighter hair colors like light blonde or red. It is not to be used on dark skin, tattoos or dark spots on the skin. The i-LIGHT Pro works best on lighter shades of skin as it makes it easier for the sensor to recognize hair. My skin to falls in the fourth zone so I made the cut.

So far, I’ve used the i-LIGHT Pro on my legs. I prepped them by shaving first. I then, fired up the machine, set the power on the first setting, and registered my skin tone by placing my arm across the sensor. When I started using the i-LIGHT on my legs, I was startled by the first pulse of warmth. The feeling was like a warm pinch. My thighs were more sensitive to the pulses than my lower legs. Over time, I hope I become less sensitive to them. The things us women do for beauty.

So how cool is this? There’s an i-LIGHT pro mobile app to log treatments and set reminders. Fancy huh? According to the instruction booklet I should start noticing visibly smoother skin within the next few weeks. I have to use it two more times to meet the three treatment requirement and then, I’ll use the i-LIGHT as needed thereafter. Be sure to check out this video which better explains what i-LIGHT Pro does. Stay tuned for my update in July!

Things To Note

Can be use by both men and women
Cannot be used on facial hair
Works best on medium to darker hair colors
Works best on lighter skin shades
Replaceable cartridges are $25 each

© Sophistishe 2013 | Permalink | 1 comment - Let's chat!