Shopping with and Supporting Friends for The Holidays

It’s been a busy few weeks with decorating, cleaning and de-cluttering (is that a real word??) my house and getting together with friends and family for the holidays and with just a few days until Christmas is here, I still feel like there is so much left to be done.

I must say that since I’m at home with my 3 toddler boys it is hard for me to go out shopping and this holiday season more than ever I’ve done most of my shopping online. I am proud to say that I’ve supported some families along the way whose moms and dads are work at home parents and who offer such wonderfully unique products.

Here are some of my great shopping finds this season:

I bought beautiful handcrafted glass ornaments from my friend Aprilee at her online etsy store Artistry Jewelry Studios
Aprilee is very talented and not only creates one-of-a-kind jewelry but also purses, hats, and other fine crafts. Direct link to ornament: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35340809

I bought scrumptiously smelling soap petals and decorative soaps from my friend Lasanthi at her online store Gourmet Scents

I bought chocolate ornaments from my friend Glenda at her online store Shake Your Bon Bons (I even signed up under Glenda for my own affiliate store---I fell in love with the yummy chocolates and baked goodies).

I bought some Christmas and other holiday books for my kids from my Mom’s (Marjorie) online bookstore Usborne Books http://www.myubam.com/Y2612 and even signed up for a chance to win $50 worth of free books in their monthly drawing.

I bought the cutest Toy Soldier craft kit from my friend Linda at her online store Lynnielee’s Loft. Direct link to products: http://lynnieleesloft2.yolasite.com/gallery-and-products.php

From my own online store called Simply Tempted (one of the many boutiques you will find at Online Shopping Boutique) I bought delicious bath and body products and soy candles.

I became a loyal customer of my friend Sheri’s company ItWorks! so I could take advantage of discount prices on natural health products…and I’m sure glad I did.

I also bought great gourmet coffees from my friend Kathy’s online store The Eclectic Mall. There are so many different stores to shop from that it will be hard not to find something for everyone on your shopping list. Direct product link: http://the-eclectic-mall.webnode.com/products/a-love-of-coffee/

And last but not least I bought some really cool holiday gifts for family and friends from my friend Gabbriella at her online store Gabbriella’s Closet.

These one of a kind gifts and unique products can always be found at our business resource and shopping social network Online Shopping Mall at http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/

Come on by and see what we all have in store for you!

Happy Hannukah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwaanza! Many Blessing this holiday season and all the very best of everything in 2010!

Maureen

Blogs to help You Save ~Gift Guides~ Giveaways

How are we all doing this holiday season? I hope all is well. I appreciate your support and continued readership. Sign my guestbook and I’ll send you a free e-book as my thank you for being a loyal fan.

Also, be sure to check the right side bar of this blog. I’ve added some Holiday Gift Guides; some cool savings & frugal sites like Freebies 4 Mom, Coupon Mommy, etc. (There are always great giveaways and great savings featured on these sites) & also featured are our newest Sponsors.

Here is a great giveaway that I think you will all love:

Mommy Perks is featuring 25 fun giveaways as part of their Holiday Gift Guide. Check it out here: http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=2869

Maureen

Black Friday Sales & More at Online Shopping Boutique

Here are some of the Black Friday Weekend & Cyber-Monday sales featured now at Online Shopping Boutique.

Shake Your Bon Bons~ http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/shake-your-bon-bons/

BLACK FRIDAY-CYBER MONDAY SPECIALS
Available midnight 11/27-11:59 PM 11/30
To take advantage of these specials,
you MUST use the following codes!
• Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Fudge code B1G1FUDGE
• Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Caramel Apples B1G1APPLE
• Buy 1 Bread Get 1 50% off 50OFFBREAD
• Buy 1 Dozen Cookies Get 1 Dozen 50% off 50OFFCOOKIE
• Earring Grab Bags 3 pairs for $5.00 EARRINGGRAB
Enter my store using this link: http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/shake-your-bon-bons/



Letters By Design~http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/product-1/
Storewide sale for the week of November 23-29, 2009.

10% off orders $25 or more - BLACK10
20% off orders $50 or more - BLACK20
30% off orders $75 or more - BLACK30
Free Shipping on $100 or more - FREESHIP

Simply Tempted~ http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/simply-tempted-bath-body/

Black Friday Sale~ sale runs from Thursday Nov. 26 to Sunday Nov. 29~
Extra Savings
~ Receive 20% Off Your Order When You Spend $15.00 Or More ~
~ Receive A Free Moisturizing Body Bar When You Spend $50 Or More ~
~ FREE SHIPPING ON All Orders Of $75 Or More! ~
~ CHECK OUT OUR BLACK FRIDAY DEALS CATEGORY FOR MORE ROCK BOTTOM PRICES

** RECEIVE A FREE SAMPLE WITH EVERY ORDER **
Enter my store using this link: http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/simply-tempted-bath-body/


Other savings can also be found in our Holiday Specials-Tis The Season section: http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/holiday-specials-tis-the-season/


Thank you for your patronage & Happy Shopping!

Maureen
Owner
Online Shopping Boutique

Yummy & Exciting New Stores just added at Online Shopping Boutique

Exciting new stores just added at my webstore Online Shopping Boutique http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/
Visit our boutiques and shop for everything you wll ever ned for your little princess at I Am The Princess; and tantalizing chocolate and baked goods at Shake Your Bon Bons; and be simply tempted by scrumptious scents and bath products to make you and your skin smell and feel oh so delicious. And for all your business presentations and gift wrapping needs, shop at Cello In A Box. Visit all our boutiques for shopping for the entire family http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products-/

NEW STORES:

I Am The Princess

http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/kids-korner/

Shake Your Bon Bons http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/shake-your-bon-bons/

Simply Tempted Bath & Body http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/simply-tempted-bath-body/

Cello In A Box http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/products/cello-in-a-box/

HOLIDAY SHOPPING
And don’t miss out on all the holiday specials and promotions in our Tis The Season-Holiday Specials section http://theonlineshoppingboutique.webnode.com/holiday-specials-tis-the-season/, where we have selected some great specials just right for your pocket and perfect gifts selection for the entire family

Shop online with us for your gifts for al occasions & your holiday gifts


Visit our social network Online Shopping Mall~Ultimate gathering place for shoppers & merchants, where when you shop with our Holiday Open House participants you get a chance to win a holiday gift basket.

And while you are there shop at our 400+ members’ stores where you will find unique products and gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. Save time, money and gas this holiday season and shop online with us for your holiday gifts http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/

Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes

If you’re looking to celebrate in style this Halloween, then look no further. Here are the perfect cupcakes to make your Halloween that extra bit special. Different flavor chocolates are available to please the tastes of all that want to have a try, if they dare!




Makes: 12 Cupcakes
Ease Of preparation: Easy
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Equipment
Sieve
Piping bag + Nozzle
Muffin tray

Ingredients

Cupcake Ingredients
85g Dark Cooking Chocolate
85g Butter, cut into 2cm cubes
100g Soft Light Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 Egg Yolk at room temperature
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp Soured Cream
75g Self-Raising Flour
1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
Pinch Salt

Icing Ingredients
30g Confectioners Icing Sugar
2tbsp Organic Cocoa Powder
75g of Soft Unsalted Butter
25g of meted Dark Chocolate for cooking (optional)
Boo Box shapes to decorate
Halloween Pumpkin Munchkins to decorate

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180/ Gas mark 4 and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases
2. Put the chocolate, butter and Sugar in a heatproof bowl and place over simmering water and allow to melt, stirring continuously. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Whisk together the eggs, vanilla and soured cream. Stir this into the cooled chocolate mixture. Sift over the flour, cocoa powder and salt and fold in. Spoon into the paper cases, filing to around 2/3 full.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for approx 20 minutes, until the muffins are risen and just firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack
5. To make the chocolate topping melt the dark chocolate over lightly simmering water. Allow to cool.
6. Beat the butter, confectioner sugar and cocoa powder together. Add in the cooled chocolate a table spoon at a time until a thick consistency is achieved. Thick enough to pipe.
7. Place the icing into a piping bag fitted with a piping nozzle of your choice and start from the centre of the cake and pipe outwards.
8. Decorate with Boo Box! Shapes and Halloween Pumpkin Munchkins


Click banner to start shopping for your Halloween Chocolates

Online Shopping Boutique features Shopping Savings Websites

HOPPING SAVINGS!

If you shop national chains and want to shop and save, I’ve found some websites that are just perfect for you.

These sites will help us all save on our shopping, whether we are buying gifts, household items, restaurants, travel, groceries and more:

Luv A Bargain

WOW Coupons

Coupon Finder


After you’ve checked these sites out let me know how they helped you save on your shopping.

Maureen

Autumn Wishes from Online Shopping Boutique

Happy Fall Everyone!

I'm enjoying the wonderful crisp fall weather and gearing up for the upcoming holiday season. It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this blog…but I’m back!!
I’ve been focusing on my kids (who are now three and heading off to preschool in a 2 weeks) Wooo Hoooo! And I’ve been focusing on my shopping social network too.

But now I’ve updated my Online Shopping Boutique website with some new promotions, sales and New Stores! And I will share those with you in another post.

But as right now as my boys, who coincidentally have colds, and are now napping, I sit here at my computer sipping some Chai Amaretto Tea I purchased from my Teaporia website. I really love this favor…it’s so smooth and the taste is just (it’s hard to describe) but I feel like I’m on a porch by the beach at sunset… smelling the fresh sea air, taking in the beautiful beach scenery with the meandering hills in the background… and I’m just soooo relaxed….yes the tea actually took me there.

So let me share this with you until the next post:

Teaporia (I just love this website – so much different tea favors and wonderful scones, scrumptious mixes and unique gift items) is have a 30% off sale on all their teas and their Children Tea Sets in honor of their 3rd Anniversary. You must use this code 3ANNIV at checkout to get the discount, and this offer is valid until the end of October.

Click here to shop:



Happy 3rd Anniversary Teaporia…Hmmm another sip of Amaretto Chai…Take me Away!

Maureen