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Jody's Popcorn Review and Discount Code

Here is another review for you.
I was thrilled when I found a gourmet popcorn company in Virginia Beach.  I grew up in Chicago and Garrett's Popcorn was the bomb.  You would get freshly made carmel and cheese popcorn in your bag and it literally had to be pulled away to stop eating.  There was always a line out the door as well.

In the recent years, since moving to the south, the only other gourmet popcorn I have tasted is from the PopCorn Factory.

Jody's Popcorn is in Virginia Beach and looking at their website they have some unique flavors but especially packaging and colored popcorn.  You can get bagged popcorn in many university colors and packaging perfect for those spring grads or High School seniors who are receiving their acceptance letters.

They also offer holiday popcorn as I noticed  a St. Patrick's Day bag as well.  All reasonably priced around $4-5 dollars  for a small bag.

I started the review and then went back to their website and was pleasantly surprised their inspiration was from Chicago as well.  Here is a little blurb from their website:

Jody and her husband, Alan, always enjoyed visiting different resort areas and feasting on fresh caramel corn. In fact, when they lived in Chicago, a great date included a trip to a caramel corn store and a long walk munching on the delicacy.

Alan, who is very creative, incorporated caramel corn into his marriage proposal to Jody. He had her engagement ring sealed inside a prize envelope placed in a Cracker-Jack® box so that Jody could find it. To this day, over 33 years later, Alan still will not divulge the secret of how he got the ring into the box!

When Jody and Alan moved to Virginia Beach, they couldn’t believe that the resort lacked fresh caramel corn. Every summer, Jody knew that visitors to Virginia Beach were missing out!

In 2005 Virginia Beach opened a new luxury Hilton oceanfront hotel with the 31 Ocean Shops across the street. The shops contain unique boutique stores. Alan and Jody decided to bring caramel corn to Virginia Beach at the 31 Ocean Shops. They signed the lease, hired the architect, tried all of the commercial caramel corn recipes, and agreed that they did not have a caramel corn recipe that was good enough!...read more

They also offer holiday popcorn as I noticed  a St. Patrick's Day bag as well.  All reasonably priced around $4-5 dollars  for a small bag.

The folks at Jody's sent us 3 different samples to try out.  Their original Recipe 53 Carmel Corn, Chocolate Drizzled and Funfetti.  We saved them for our Friday movie night.

Verdict, it was not Garrett's popcorn.  Definitely not as fresh tasting but I am not sure what Garrett's would taste like if it was packaged for longer storage.

The chocolate Drizzled by far was our favorite.  The funfetti was enjoyed by the kids but really disliked the Purple kernels.  I tried one of them and it definitely had a weird aftertaste.

Since we are popcorn snobs, I thought I would try it on another test group.  The kids had some friends over the next day and I took out the carmel corn and funfetti.  I liked the chocolate drizzled too much to share!!

The kids enjoyed it but also did not care for that purple colored one??

I think they have a great concept especially with the unique packaging.  They also offer fudge and candy apples. Next time I am in Virginia Beach I am definitely going to visit their oceanfront store.  If you are not in the area visit their website and have some delivered.

The folks at Jody's are offering my readers 15% off their entire purchase just enter REV15 Go visit Jody's now to check out their other selections and let me know what you think.

Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes Review and Giveaway

 CLOSED--winner contact me in 48hrs or new winner


first winner was a dud, not really a follower and no email address. never responded here is the new winner
Min: Max: Result:8Powered byRANDOM.ORG








True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:22Powered 

Jamie Brigham said... 

http://twitter.com/stayclosetohome

over capacity

February 23, 2011 12:59 PM 

Happy Valentine's Day to you. 

Last week I was thrilled to receive my sample of Brilliant screen cleaning wipes.  My husband complains about my computer screen being dirty all the time.  Not quite sure why the kids are even touching the screen but it often has fingerprints on it.  Happy Valentine's Day to you!!

These wipes come with SR-8 which provides gentle, superior  cleaning to any electronic screen and removes dust, dirt, finger prints and makeup while imparting an invisible, durable barrier that protects screens 50x more form scratching. Helps protect against re-soiling to keep your screen brilliantly clean!

Here is their ad:

!

• Cleans and protects monitors, electronics, eyeware and more!
• No Alcohol or Ammonia
• Added scratch resistance with SR-8

Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes^TM with SR-8^TM  provides gentle superior cleaning while imparting an invisible durable barrier that resists scratches, soiling and water spots.

Treat Your Lenses with the protection of SR-8

• SR-8 is a Polimer Additive that reduces surface tension making cleaning easier each time it is used.
• SR-8 Coats the lens leaving a protective barrier
• SR-8 Improves scratch resistance
• SR-8 Will not dry out protective coatings

They are also suggested to work well on all type of eyewear.

I also used it on my smart phone.  I had to use the wipes a second time on the computer as it left streaks. However if you cleaned small portions at a time you could get it clean.  They come in individual packets so if you traveled with your laptop/ipad it is convenient to carry around with you.  These are a must have for any touch screen appliance.  The are pretty cheap at $3.99 for a pack of 5.  You can buy your own pack HERE

One lucky reader will their very own 5 pack:

Like Brilliant Screen Cleaning wipes on Facebook
Follow Black Diamond Cleaning products on Twitter-1 entry
Follow Close to Home on GFC--1 entry
Follow CLose to home Reviews GFC--1 entry
Follow Close to home on twitter 1 entry

CONTEST ENDS Wedns 2/23 @ 7pm EST

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.


Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Cell Fire Coupons

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Budget Gagdets__Frother and Memo Pad Review

I was contacted by Budget Gadgets to do a review for them.  I agreed as I had never heard of their site and curious about the quality and types of products they had.


In my package, which my kids were amazed by because it had a Stamp from Japan on it, was a Frother and Pear Memo Pad.

I had never had a frother before but my days of working at Williams Sonoma I was intrigued.  My first experiment with it was mixing hot chocolate.  How many times do you put the mix in and then there is the sentiment on top.  With the frother it takes no time for smooth drink.

Cheaper than Starbucks...

Next it was time for my drink, frothed milk in my coffee.  Did the trick.
The kids enjoyed playing with it and it is a priced $5.50 for the the quality of the gadget.

The only concern is the spring comes off slightly but you can wiggle it back into place.

The second item I was given from them was a pear post it notes

 Well post it notes it is not but just tiny little pear shaped slices.    It would definitely be more useful as a post it note.  You can use them as space holders in a book or I write down quick addresses or phone numbers while I am sitting at the computer.

The idea is cute and put together it does make a cute accent to a desk.  thinking about doing the apples for a teachers gift at only around $2.50!!  

If you get a chance to check out their website  http://www.budgetgadgets.com/ see what else they carry you can use this code for a 5% discount site-wide. stayingclosetohome5OFF  
Not to mention all orders are free shipping regardless of amount.

My children's favortie way to froth milk

Applied Labels Review

 was just sent a pack of Applied Labels to review.  I ordered them in my daughters name as she did not have any before.

I was thrilled when about the possibilities after watching the how-to video on their website. http://appliedlabels.com/  ,

 Here is the description from their website:

The sleek, clean, sharp, classic alternative to labels that shout.   Our extraordinarily tough labels are dishwasher & laundry safe.  
Award Winning Products.  Lead, BPA & DEHP Free.  Made in the USA!

I thought I would give them a try as it is a product created by a mom to be used by mom's or dad's.

In my package I was sent 60 personalized classic stickies, 30 backs and 15 shoe covers.  They easily come off the sheets like any mailing labels would.

The plain backs are for attaching these to clothes labels.  You put them on the clothing label and when you are done you just cut them and pass on the clothes.  Useful idea!!

They were a little small for some of my daughters jacket labels, especially the LLBean coats.  

We added them to her ice skates to try the shoe covers.  They were not bothersome to her and due to the timeliness of this review I am not sure how long they will stay in place.

We placed them on her thermos and lacrosse stick.  They seem to stay on great.

I have not tried them in the dishwasher as she is not of the age to have sippy cups or bottles:)  VIew HERE

I really like the idea of the bottle labels with dates.  I am sure these would be great help especially if you had a child in daycare.  I also thought these would be great for preschool where you have to date and label all of your snacks!!  They would be great on the ReUsies Snack Bags for this purpose.

The come simply in black and white and have about 19 different icons to choose from.  I think I would buy them for a babygift in the future, and try out the dated labels this time.

Go to  Applied Labels to order your set, they are offering free shipping on certain packages.  Also check out their Facebook Page.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

$20 gift card Giveaway---Target Or Amazon Your choice

Announcing A giveaway on my other blog: CLose To home

Post from Close To Home, must enter on that site:

I am so excited and thankful for all my followers both old and new. I promised that I would host a giveaway when I reached 200 GFC followers and 100 FB fans on my new Fan Page and I have exceeded that goal. To celebrate I am giving away one $20 giftcard from either Target or Amazon, if you win you get to choose.

Feel free to pass this on to your readers as well, as we are always looking for new blogs and readers.

Winner will be picked through random.org and announced Friday the 21st of January at 5pm!!

To ENTER the $20 Gift Card Giveaway Just follow the following steps. You get 4 chances to win!!

1) You MUST follow Close to home from either Google Friend Connect or Facebook FAN PAGE Leave me a comment telling me which gift card you would choose and what you want to buy. Leave me your email to contact you. (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

2) If you are not following both GFC and Facebook Fan then sign up for the one you are not already a member of. (1 Entry)

3) Tweet or post on your facebook page about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to the tweet/post. (1 Entry)

4) Become a twitter follower (1 entry)

5) Vote for my Blog on the Fence--link in the right side bar and let me know you did it (1entry)

6) Grab my button and put it on your blog (2 entries)

Good Luck and thank you again for your support and please let your friends know about me there will be another giveaway at 300 GFC fans!!!

Open to US or Canadian residents only!