Kemps® Hometown Favorites Ice Cream Contest

Did you know that Kemps® is a local brand?  I didn't.  I totally thought it was a national brand. Kemps® products are made right here in Minnesota and are sold in Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.  Their frozen yogurt, however, is also sold throughout the Southeast.  In 2011, Kemps® started the Hometown Favorites Ice Cream Contest as a way to remind people that they are hometown produced.

This contest allows you to dream up your own ice cream flavor with the chance to see it on store shelves in the future!  It doesn't hurt that you could also win $2500!  Last year the contest generated more than 250 submissions with even more expected this year.  Here's how it works:

Now through June 7:  Submit your dream flavor  (You only have a week left!)--Submit your dream flavor, inspired by your family traditions.  What flavors remind you of your family traditions?  Think outside the box people...make it unique!

**Hundreds of submissions will be narrowed down by Kemps® and their marketing agency over the next 7 days.  They will choose 10 semi-finalists based on uniqueness, flavor combinations, how closely the flavor fits the family traditions theme, back story of the flavor, how feasible it is to actually make the flavor (hint: real pickle pieces won't work with ice cream because of the acidity), and other factors. 

June 14-June 30:  Vote for the finalists--The top 10 flavors will be posted online on June 14 where you can vote to help determine the top two flavors.  The third finalist will be chosen by Joe and Teresa Mauer.

August 1:  Vote for the winner--Vote online for the flavor you think is most interesting.  

**From August 1-August 21, Logan Julstrom (Kemps® Senior Food Technologist) will be working closely with the three finalists to perfect their recipes then Kemps® will actually make the ice creams so that...

August 22-September 2:  Sample the flavors at the Minnesota State Fair--Yup, you can actually try these flavors and vote on them at the 2013 MN State Fair!

**The winner will be selected by a combination of online votes, State Fair votes, and scores from a celebrity judging panel including Teresa Mauer.

August 28--2013 Hometown Favorites winner announced.  The winning flavor hits the market the following summer.

The 2011 winner was Land of 10,000 Licks.  This ice cream combines sweet cream ice cream with caramel, sea salt, and toffee pieces for the perfect sweet and salty treat.  I kid you not, I could not stop eating this flavor once I started.  The first bite is a bit salty but then the sweetness takes over and you are hooked

Last year's 2012 winner was Mini-sota Donut.  I was able to pre-sample this flavor when I got a tour of the Kemps® factory (another post to come).  Yum is all I can say!  Cinnamon and nutmeg combined with real donut pieces!  

What are you waiting for?  Submit your dream flavor today!  You might just find it on the store shelves next year!!  

I was given a tour of the Kemps® factory and swag as compensation for helping to promote the Hometown Favorites Contest.  All opinions are 100% my own.

RUUM American Kid's Wear Opens at the MOA

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HAVE YOU HEARD THE RUMMOUR?

It's true!  There's a new kid's fashion brand on the block--

RUUM American Kid's Wear!

What:  Come celebrate RUUM's Grand Opening at the Mall of America!  From the founders of The Children's Place, Ruum (pronounced "room") offers head to toe kids outfitting, exceptional quality, and great value. They have clothes for infants 0 through kids size 14.  Ruum collections are designed to coordinate easily and to cover all of a child's lifestyle needs.

At their Grand Opening enjoy surprise promotions, fun activities for kids, and free giveaways all weekend long including great deals for online and in-store purchases, Instant Win savings cards and bonus points on Ruum’s new loyalty program.  During the Grand Opening, Ruum will also kick off The Grand Ruum Sweepstakes, a month-long sweepstakes with daily winners and the grand prize of a $2000 Ruum gift card.

When:  Friday, March 22 - Sunday, March 24, 2013
During regular Mall hours
(Jamie will be there Saturday around 4ish--watch for her tweets)

Where:  RUUM's new store located at the Mall of America space S-214 (south side, second floor).

I will be receiving a swag bag at the Grand Opening event in exchange for promoting it via my social media channels.  I received no further compensation for this post.

American Girl Fashion Show® This Weekend!!

The Junior League of Minneapolis proudly presents the 12th annual American Girl Fashion Show®! 

The American Girl Fashion Show® is a fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends, and favorite dolls!  Celebrate the experience of being a girl, whether yesterday or today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions.  Enjoy refreshments, enter to win door prizes, and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture, and girls’ individual style.

When:  Friday, March 8, 2013, at 6 p.m. (Special Show)**
Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 1:30 p.m
Saturday, March 9, 2013, at 6 p.m. (VIP)
Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.

**Come see Nutty model in the Friday show!!

Where: The Capri Theater
2027 W. Broadway Ave
Minneapolis MN 55411

Each show will last approximately 2 hours, with time before, during, and after intermission to purchase souvenirs, raffle tickets and snacks/refreshments.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their dolls and wear their favorite American Girl® clothing.  A doll hair salon will be open for business before, during and after the show.  The doll hair salon is complimentary during the Special Show and VIP show.

All fashion show ticket holders will have the chance to win wonderful door prizes.  Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase.  Raffle prizes will include an assortment of American Girl® dolls and accessories, as well as fabulous prizes from local retailers.

To purchase tickets please visit the Junior League of Minneapolis website.  The tickets are selling out fast so get yours ASAP!

The American Girl Fashion Show® benefits the mission of the Junior League of Minneapolis and its projects that serve the Minneapolis community. Past projects include the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Free Arts MN and the Jeremiah Program. Current projects address the achievement gap. The Junior League of Minneapolis reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, voluntarism.

I received tickets to the American Girl Fashion Show and Nutty's model fee was covered in exchange for helping to promote the event.  All opinions are 100% my own.  American Girl Fashion Show is licensed from American Girl Programs.  All American Girl trademarks, names, and characters are trademarks of American Girl, used under license. All rights reserved.

Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy--Giveaway!

This past December my family had the opportunity to attend Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic.  We had so much fun!

This month, for the first time ever, Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy skates into the Twin Cities!  

Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories:

• Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney•Pixar's Cars race across the ice.
• Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom.
• Enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and the Disney Fairies as they reveal the magic that lies within!
• The toys are back in town with heroic action when Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever!

Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy will be at the Target Center February 28-March 3, 2013.  Tickets are $15/22/$42/$65 with opening night tickets just $10!

Tickets are available at the Target Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 800-359-2525. Certain fees may apply.

All of our Toys In The Dryer readers may download this FREE activity book!

One lucky reader will win tickets to Disney On Ice Worlds of Fantasy opening night at the Target Center!

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We received tickets to the show in exchange for promoting it on our blog. We received no further compensation. All opinions are 100% our own.

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic--Giveaway!

I don't know about your kids, but mine LOVE Disney movies!!  We went to a Disney on Ice show a few years ago and they thought it was so much fun to see their favorite characters come to life.

This year, Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic comes to the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

My girls can't wait to go!  They get to see 65 of their favorite Disney characters from 18 repeatedly seen movies skate around on the ice.  Though they are excited to see Mickey and Minnie, Nemo, The Lion King characters, and Pinocchio, they are most thrilled that they will get to see all the princesses live!

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic will be at the Excel Energy Center on December 6-9, 2012.

Tickets are $18 / $24 / $46 / $69 – With Opening Night Tickets Just $11!

Tickets are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 800-359-2525. Certain fees may apply. (Groups 12+ call 651-312-3486)

One lucky Toys In The Dryer reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to opening night!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway We each received a family 4-pack of tickets to this event in exchange for it's promotion.  All opinions are our own.

American Girl--McKenna Shoots for the Stars

Do your girls love American Girl? Mine do! They can't go to sleep at night without Bella and Angel, their American Girl dolls.

McKenna was chosen as 2012's Girl of the Year and when we visited the American Girl store at the Mall of America a few weeks ago, my girls were totally enchanted with her.  "Mommy, that doll does gymnastics just like I want to do!"..."Mommy can we see that movie!?"  Needless to say, I was overjoyed when I was asked to help promote the release of Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!  

Just in time for the summer Olympics, McKenna comes to life on DVD in Universal Home Entertainment's An American Girl: McKenna Shoot for the Stars:

Meet McKenna Brooks, a determined and confident young gymnast, in this all-new, modern-day adventure. McKenna is on track to make the regional competitive gymnastics team, but off track in school, where she’s suddenly struggling to keep up. When her teacher suggests a tutor, she’s embarrassed and desperate to keep it a secret from her friends. Then a bad fall at the gym sidetracks her from her favorite sport. Will she recover in time to make the team? Can she succeed in school, too? McKenna needs to focus on her strengths to overcome her challenges—and, with the help of family and friends, find a way to believe in herself again. Starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Ian Ziering (TV’s “Beverly Hills, 90210”), and gymnastics champion Cathy Rigby, this heart-warming story will have the whole family cheering!

Click HERE to see the trailer (movie preview).  Both my girls and I loved this movie and I'm pretty sure your family will too!  Now both my daughters REALLY want to get into gymnastics!  Help!

Enter to win your own Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack of McKenna Shoots for the Stars!

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Melaleuca Products- tough and safe

When we were contacted by Carol to try Melaleuca  products I will say this, I thought "well, just another safe, eco-friendly company with their products." This was until I received the box in the mail! I have always been a fan of safe(r) products, green(er) products, eco-friendly(ier) products but quite a few fall short of my standards. (No, not all-I have some amazing "go-to" products that you would never be able to remove from my closet! It has taken a great deal of searching for me to find cleaning products that meet my standards. Melaleuca is a direct sales company founded in 1985, one of the world leaders in quality wellness products.

My standards:
Safe for pets and kids
Green(er)
No-harsh fumes
and the MUST- they must work!

This past weekend was "clean the bathrooms" weekend and I got the chance to test out Melaleuca's Ecosense Tub and Tile Bathroom Cleaner as well as the Tough and Tender Cleaning Wipes. I mixed the Tub and Tile cleaner according to the directions and sprayed it on my clear glass shower doors and waited a few minutes to see if any magic occurred. We don't have terribly hard water but the people that lived here before us must not have been bothered by water stains, calcium build up and lime scale because our glass shower doors showed it. I tried quite a few green and eco friendly products to get the doors sparkling but I will say I resorted to a well known, non-green brand because it did the job I needed. After a few minutes I hopped back in the shower and took my tub scrubber and gently rubbed the glass down and then grabbed a glass and rinsed away the Tub and Tile cleaner. To my surprise and astonishment my glass doors were completely clear and free of water spots. Score 1 for Melaleuca! The only negative I would give about their Tub and Tile cleaner is that it does tend to have a more harsh and strong odor (I started coughing in the shower when I sprayed it on the doors.) But after a crack of the window and a flip of the fan switch I was able to breathe without a care and I will say that it is worth it because my shower doors are SO pretty now!

I finished wiping down the counters, sink, toilet and bench in my bathroom with the Tough and Tender Cleaning Wipes and they worked fantastic too! I am not a fan of wearing rubber gloves when cleaning (my hands get too sweaty) so my hands usually feel like sandpaper when I am done cleaning the bathroom. Not this time! These cleaning wipes were exactly as they said: Safer for your home, highly effective, powered by nature, eco-friendly and a better value. They didn't leave a streaky mess behind either! Score 2 for Melaleuca!

Carol was sweet enough to send a few other products along with the samples! She supplied me my hubby with a Attain nutrition bar in Chocolate Caramel Nut flavor and Sweet and Salty Nut flavor. He also gave a good test run with the On The Go Sustain Sport-Ruby Red Grapefruit performance hydration drink. Why didn't I try them? Well, if I am being honest (and I always am) I don't exercise (insert jaw drop here). And, I know my husband has a REALLY hard to please palate. Well the verdict was in... Score 3 for Melaleuca! He said the Attain bars were awesome! He loves the Sustain sport drink too! He said they didn't have a "diet" taste to them and he really liked that! These products contain no High Fructose Corn Syrup and are low in carbs (which is amazing if you are a diabetic!)

So what is the final score? Ahhhhmazing products! Thanks so much Carol for introducing us to Melaleuca and their products! We hope that all of you will take some time and visit her site by clicking on her ad on the side bar.

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