Author: Abby H.

Tryazon Opportunity: Turn Drawings into Playable Video Games with Pixicade!

Abby H.

My big kid loves making board games. He has recently started talking about coding and making his own video/app based games.

When this email from Tryazon and Pixicade landed in my inbox yesterday afternoon, I had to sign up, and of course, share the opportunity with y’all.

Pixicade Video Game Maker Party – Jun 25-26, 2021

Let the kids creativity come to life with this  Tryazon Featured Party opportunity, sponsored by Pixicade.  Pixicade is a digital game maker kit that teaches game design for kids 6 and up! It’s as simple as draw a game design, snap a picture on Pixicade app, and play the video game! Its educational STEAM components have made Pixicade a favorite among both parents and teachers!

Tryazon has 250 hosting spots open for this opportunity!  Those chosen will receive a party pack with two Pixicade game sets to showcase and sample with friends and family!  Learn more and apply here.
We’ve been participating in Tryazon events for three+ years. We’ve gotten to try all sorts of fun toys, games, and food. You can learn more about Tryazon here.

 

Upcoming Grocery Project $250

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study. This Survey is about Grocery Shopping Habits (It specifically mentions online shopping platforms like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, etc.).

  • To be considered, please complete the pre-screening survey here.
  • Compensation: $250 (if chosen)
  • Open to: 24-55 year olds
  • Mon/May 17th – Fri/May 21st – 45-mins/day approximately 4hrs total

Summer Fun on a Budget with Dollar Tree!

Abby H.

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you click on links or make purchases

Summer is coming! Here in CA, starting in Mid-June more places will re-open. I’m planning on taking the kids swimming, go to the beach, going on hikes, picnics, and lots of outdoor fun. As more activities open, I will be posting about frugal adventures in San Diego.

One of my favorite places for summer goodies is Dollar Tree. Water guns, bubbles, bubble accessories, sand toys, pool/water toys– all of these are great deals at Dollar Tree. Even though they are just a dollar, we’ve had the same water guns/squirters and pool toys from Dollar Tree for over 3 years!

One of the hot toys in our house is sidewalk chalk. Regardless of the time of year, it’s fun to draw outside!

If you are looking for some fun craft ideas, Dollar Tree has tons of fun craft supplies in-store and online. And they have some great craft project ideas as well:

 

 

 

 

AO Opinions Upcoming Beverage Project $125

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study. This Survey is about beverages (specifically energy drinks/caffinated beverages)

  • To be considered, please complete the pre-screening survey here.
  • Compensation: $125 (if chosen)
  • Open to: 25-39 year olds
  • Tuesday, Monday May 24 or Tuesday May 25 2021 (Various Times)

 

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AO Opinions Upcoming Smoking Project

Abby H.

AO Opinions is another Market Research company that I get information from. Right now they are recruiting for an upcoming research study. This Survey is open to smokers.

  • To be considered, please complete the pre-screening survey here.
  • Compensation: $75 + additional compensation if chosen for other phases (if chosen)
  • Open to: 21-55 year olds
  • This research study takes place the week of June 7th 2021 (30-mins) 10:00AM-6:15PM ET.

Cross Country Cafe: Feeling lucky? Win 4 boxes of K-Cup® pods

Abby H.

Cross Country Cafe has a great giveaway!

Enter to win FOUR full-size boxes of the best-selling K-Cup® coffee pods! Enter to win before May 31st, 2021.

And while you are at it, check out their blog– They have great articles, recipes, and tips to keep your Keurig running its best!

Cents of Style Item Of The Week- 5/10/21- SPRING GRAB BAGS! Starting at $9.99

Abby H.

 

Grab bag

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

You know what I love? So many things, but in this case, I love a good surprise. Cents of Style is hooking us all up with a surprise this week.

This week is grab bag week! These grab bags usually retail from $29.95-$139.95, but are marked down right now PLUS you can enter an EXTRA 20% OFF and get them for ONLY $9.99-$34.99! That is up to 75% off of retail!

SPRING GRAB BAG options:
2 Accessories or shoes for $9.99
2 Bottoms for $15.99
4 Items, 2 clothing & 2 accessories, for $19.99
6 Items, 4 clothing & 2 accessories, for $34.99

Grab bagGrab bag

Grab bag Grab bagTo take advantage of this amazing deal, make sure to use Coupon Code SURPRISEME.

Rubio’s & Celebrity Chef Richard Blais Launch Adventure-Inspired Street Tacos!

Abby H.

YOU GUYS! Ok, so you may not know this, but I am a HUGE Top Chef fan. I especially love the Masters seasons. it’s just so amazing to see professional chefs work together and compete at the same time. It’s refreshing to see a show where there is no backstabbing, scheming, or nastiness.

I digress. When I found out about this awesome collaboration between Rubio’s and Richard Blais, I jumped on the opportunity to share it.

Rubio’s Coastal Grill and Television Personality, James Beard-Nominated Cookbook Author and Restaurateur, Richard Blais, have partnered to create a new line of adventure-inspired street tacos, including the Hawaiian-inspired Hula Hula Carnitas Taco, the Blaised & Glazed Crispy Chicken Taco, delivering a zesty taco twist on Buffalo chicken, and the Ancho Po-Boy Shrimp Taco, featuring a modern take on classic New Orleans street food. The special tacos will be available beginning May 20 at Rubio’s locations in California, Arizona and Nevada.

I’ll be joining other bloggers, influencers, and media folks on May 18th to sample these new tacos, and meet Mr. Blais. Keep your eyes peeled for pictures on my socials!

While many craved comfort foods early in the pandemic, guests are now seeking new, innovative tastes that ignite a sense of adventure. The imaginative Rubio’s x Blais Street Tacos infuse Celebrity Chef Blais’ sophisticated and daring roots with Rubio’s signature Mexican flavors.

Rubio’s Rewards members will be first to try the new Rubio’s x Blais Street Taco Plate, with VIP early access. For one day, on May 19, Rubio’s Reward members can place an order online at Rubios.com, or through the app, and get one FREE Blais taco or $5 off the Rubio’s x Blais Street Taco Plate.

Guests can mix and match any three street tacos, served with a side of house black beans and warm tortilla chips. Available to-go or for socially distanced dining in Rubio’s restaurants and outdoor patios, guests may order online, or through the app, for contact-free curbside or express pickup, or get their tacos delivered to their door for just $1.99. For more information about Rubio’s Coastal Grill and to view the menu, visit Rubio’s, Facebook and Instagram.

Pizza Hut: Enroll now for Camp BOOK IT!

Abby H.

Enrollment is now open for Camp BOOK IT! 2021. Enroll your children now to help fight the summer slide.

Camp BOOK IT! will run June-August, 2021, and is open to PreK-6th grade students (ages 4-12).

Set reading goals, have fun, and reward your students for their summer reading with free pizza!

Recipe: Roasted Onion and Caramelized Onion Bisque

Abby H.

I saw a video online someplace (I want to say Facebook, but it could have been on Reddit too), and it showed how to make tomato bisque using freshly roasted tomatoes.

I was excited to try it since we’ve been getting tons of big tomatoes in our CSA box over the past two weeks and I had them sitting on the counter.

This recipe is simple, but it does involve a few steps and does take some time.

It’s worth it in my opinion.

Roasted Onion and Caramelized Onion Bisque

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

  • 8-10 Tomatoes, tops cut off. If the tomatoes are not a uniform size, cut them in half /into large uniform hunks
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, diced
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 can (approx 16 oz) chicken or veggie stock
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon each: Basil, Rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup half and half
  • dash red pepper flakes (optional)
caramelized onions…. mmmmm

Directions:

  1. Preheat Oven to 425 degrees. Place tomatoes/tomato hunks on an oiled-up baking sheet. Brush tomatoes with oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
  2. Roast tomatoes for 35-45 minutes.
  3. While tomatoes are roasting, melt butter in a stockpot, and over medium/low heat saute onions. in the last 10 minutes of cooking the onions, add the garlic and stir frequently to keep from burning. You will need to stir frequently.
  4. Place tomatoes in with onions, and add stock, and all herbs/seasonings, EXCEPT the bay leaf and red pepper.
  5. Using an emersion blender, blend soup until it’s smooth.
  6. Now that soup is smooth, add bay leaf and simmer for 30-45 minutes on low.
  7. Add half and half, stir well, add red pepper if desired.
  8. Serve topped with croutons.
This is what roasted tomatoes look like in a lonely stockpot.

Note: If you don’t have an emersion blender, pour tomatoes and onions into a blender and pulse until smooth.

This recipe does not make a ton of soup, as most of my soup recipes do. This recipe takes time, but it’s so good. It’s worth the time and effort for sure.

I recommend my 4-way grilled cheese to go with this soup too!