food Archives - So About What I Said

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Welcoming Cozy Season with the FabFitFun Fall Box

Ahhh, can you feel it, friends?? The air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors and I feel this irresistible urge to bring out my classic oversized sweatshirts!! Yes, we’re saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall. But it’s not all bad because the FabFitFun Fall Box is here to help us have the ultimate Cozy Season…

To some, the fall months are all about bonfires and football games and haunted houses; in other words, they like to get outside and fully experience everything the season has to offer. Well, as we all know, I’m on Team Homebody, which means that I love to experience the comforts of this time of year — you guessed it — indoors!!

So it’s those little home comforts that I had in mind as I chose the goodies for my fall box — what was going to keep me all warm and toasty while also bringing me lots of smiles and joy??

FabFitFun is known for its seasonal subscription box of full-size fashion, beauty, fitness and lifestyle goodies and one of the things that I love is that the brand is all about female empowerment; in fact, many of the products in the box are from female-founded companies.

Each season, FabFitFun partners with a charity to give back and the charity for fall is especially appropriate. Schools have been hit hard during the pandemic and many schools in underprivileged communities have had to cut back or eliminate their arts programs entirely. Thankfully, Art in Action believes that art is a fundamental right that all students deserve. Art in Action provides high-quality K-8 curriculums to approximately 85,000 students nationwide, so I’m really happy they’ll get to do even more good work with the help of FabFitFun.

It’s hard to believe that this is my FOURTH time partnering with FabFitFun; I’m still thinking about how much I enjoyed our summer garden party — where does the time go?!?!?

I really enjoyed customizing my box and I got to choose all my favorite things!! And, depending on what you customize, each box has up to a $300 value and members pay only $49.99 each season — be sure to check out the end of this post for a special discount code to receive $10 off your first box!

Now, how do I define cozy, you ask?? It all has to do with calm and comfort, of course! As the weather gets colder and colder, I tend to pile on the layers and this blanket is super soft and warm; plus, I’m loving that green color — the perfect fall shade, if you ask me!! I envision lots of TV binge-watching in my future all snuggled under this blanket; my mom and I just might end up fighting over it too!!

And of course we’ll need some snacks during all that binge-watching, so this cheese board, little lunch tote and cup will certainly come in handy!! Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the answer is sharp cheddar cheese. Always. You can’t go wrong with sharp cheddar cheese!

I also chose this hat and when we opened the box, my mom said “Oh, my grandpa always wore a hat like that!” What are the odds?? I’ll think of him every time I wear it! Plus, speaking of family, my mom and I love playing games, so this fun food and drink trivia game will come in handy!! We already played it a little on the patio and I lost — until next time, though!!

Are you excited for fall, friends?? How will you be staying cozy all season long? If you’re looking to upgrade your cozy factor, head over to FabFitFun and use code MELISSABLAKE for $10 off your first box — available in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.

I look forward to seeing what’s on YOUR cozy list or in your FabFitFun Fall Box!!!

(This post is sponsored by FabFitFun, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

Friday, June 4, 2021

My Summer Garden Party with FabFitFun

If you’ve read this blog long enough, then you know that I’m ridiculously in love with summertime!! I love everything about it and simply can’t get enough — those longer (and warmer!) days, sunshine and blue skies for miles and the kind of green grass that makes you feel as though you’ve just stepped into a painting! And of course, the summer months are all about relaxing and for me, that means sitting on our patio enjoying all that nice weather, which is why I was so excited to kick off the summer last weekend with a garden party!! Thanks to the FabFitFun summer box, I had all the essentials for fun and good times…

FabFitFun is known for its seasonal subscription box full of fashion, beauty, fitness and lifestyle goodies and the brand is all about female empowerment; in fact, many of the products in the box are from female-founded companies.

Each season, FabFitFun also partners with a charity and this season’s charity is one that’s close to my heart. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 500,000 wishes worldwide to children with critical illnesses. I was one of those kids and have such wonderful memories of my trip to Disney World when I was 13, so it’s so great to see FabFitFun working with them!

And to help grant more kids’ wishes, FabFitFun will donate $10 to Make-A-Wish for every box sold from my code — see the end of this post for more details.

This is my third time partnering with FabFitFun (remember my chic spring hat?) and what I really love is that you can customize you box so it’s a true reflection of all the things you love!

“We believe that everyone is worthy of celebrating themselves just as they are” is one of their guiding principles and I fully agree! I mean, what’s better than celebrating you in all your wondrous glory?

So, what about that garden party I mentioned at the beginning of this post? Well, I customized my summer box with everything I’d need — and by everything, I really mean all the essentials for the best snack tray!! I love my snacks, so lounging on the patio actually eating said snacks sounded like a recipe for the perfect afternoon — pun intended! My favorite summer snacks are definitely chips and salsa, so these festive bowls came in handy; since I’m not a big fan of guacamole, I put some delicious and spicy cheese dip in that bowl. Also, how cute are the tiny wooden spoons?? They definitely help you get the optimal cheese dip to salsa ratio, but really, you can never have too much of either one, right??

I also love how this tumbler kept my lemonade ice cold because it’s not officially summer until you’ve had your first sips of this tart drink!!

And speaking of lemonade, this lemon-inspired tray brought everything together — and so we didn’t have to make multiple trips back and forth to the kitchen! We were able to take our tasty treats outside all at once!!

We also used this bright pink cloth bag to take a few games outside to play after we ate!

Editor’s note: I say “we” because my mom was also in attendance, but she didn’t want to be in any of the photos! But rest assured that she did enjoy the snacks!

Wow! What a fun and relaxing afternoon!! If you’re looking to throw your own garden party this summer, I’ve got you covered! Head over to FabFitFun and use code MELISSABLAKE for $10 off your first box — available in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.

What’s your favorite summer snack, friends?? I’d love to hear!! xoxo

(This post is sponsored by FabFitFun, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

An Ode to Chuck E. Cheese

Have you heard the news, friends?? With so much going on in the world right now, this piece of news can easily slip through the cracks, but it’s an important one to acknowledge, if only to say goodbye and give it a proper send-off: The iconic Chuck E. Cheese has filed for bankruptcy after 43 years!!!

Did you hear those collective sighs? They’re the sighs of nostalgia from us ‘80s and ‘90s kids. You know, the ones who grew up jumping and splashing and frolicking in ball pits, which seems really gross as adults, especially in light of COVID. The ones who played all the games so you could win all the tickets just to get a cheap plastic toy. The ones who ate slice after slice of pizza while that merry band of instrument-playing oversized animatronic animals sang such hits as “Celebration.” The ones whose parents become more dazed by each passing minute spent in this sensory overload fun center.

But those singing animals!!! That’s what I’d like to focus on in this ode because, let’s face it, they certainly typified the Chuck E. Cheese experience — even more so than the cheesy pizza, I’d dare say!! And as long as I’m taking a stroll down memory lane today, I suppose I should just admit a dark part of my past. You see, I was a wild child. An utter rebel, if you will. So what was my big, bad transgression??

Well, I…ummm…used to peek behind the curtain of those animals. Yes, in between sets, I got curious. I’d wonder what those animals were doing, so my dad would carry me close to the stage and ever so quietly, I’d pull back the curtain. There they were, big and tall and pretty lifelike!!! Looking back, I’m not exactly sure what I expected to find behind that curtain, but it was always such a thrilling moment. Every. Single. Time.

I should note that in doing research for this blog post, I learned that the animatronic band was retired in 2017 because “kids stopped watching the animatronic shows,” according to the company CEO Tom Leverton.

Are you kidding me? What’s the matter with kids today??

Anyway, that’s what I remember most about Chuck E. Cheese — fun, family time, huge animatronic animals and those carefree days of childhood. I mean, the fun center’s slogan was “Where A Kid Can Be A Kid” and the place sure lived up to its name, didn’t it?!?!?

My mom has some happy memories of her own from our time spent there, so I asked her to write a few thoughts — it took a little pleading, but she agreed!!! Here’s her stroll down memory lane…

Chuck E. Cheese is a pizza place like no other. If you’ve been there, then you know just what I mean! We would take the girls there all the time when they were little, even though we had to drive an hour to get there. My husband Brian and I enjoyed playing Skee-Ball as much as the girls, and we would have quite the competitions!

One of the best times ever happened shortly after my sister and family moved up to Wisconsin. We were all missing each other something fierce, so we decided to each drive halfway and meet for lunch. So, we all arrived at Chuck E. Cheese and the kids were so happy to see one another. The kids played and we had lunch. Then, we were still so happy about being together that the kids played a little more. Well, by this time, the kids were hungry again and so we had dinner! Then they played some more. We finally realized how long we had been there when we walked out to the car to find it pitch black outside! We were there for over 7 hours!

This had to have happened over 30 years ago and we talk about it to this day.

Memories like that are precious. It was one of the best days of my life, which I know sounds weird, and I am thankful for the memory every time I think of it. It just goes to show you that when you are doing something, you never know when the ordinary will become the extraordinary. That’s the surprising thing about life…it’s unpredictable. Enjoy every minute!

P.S. For the most dedicated fans, check out this complete history of the pizza-and-games paradise!! And an ENTIRE ARTICLE all about the history of the animatronic band…

Thursday, April 30, 2020

In Which I Compare Myself to Buffalo Wing CHEEZ-IT Crackers

Let’s just get something out in the open right away: You’re probably wondering why in the heck I’d be writing an entire blog post about CHEEZ-IT snacks on a random Thursday…

Well, for one thing, we’re in quarantine, so you know I’m not going out much. And, for another thing, have you ever had CHEEZ-IT?? They are, without a doubt, the most scrumptious, most delectable, most delicious snack in the ENTIRE universe.

When it comes to the world of snacks, I used to be strictly a potato chip gal. Barbecue potato chips, to be exact; in fact, I’d never deviate from those chips as the perfect lunchtime companion. Then a few years ago, my mom taught summer school and started taking CHEEZ-IT crackers for a mid-morning snack and, as they say, the rest is history!

Well, the rest actually looks more like rows and rows of those uber-recognizable red boxes — they line our kitchen drawers and are completely irresistible. We’re not even picky about what flavor is our favorite, either. Some days we’ll break out a box of the Four Cheese flavor. Other days, it’s all about the Cheddar Jack or White Cheddar flavors.

That’s really the beauty of the CHEEZ-IT brand, though: There is something for everyone. A unique taste experience for each unique foodie out there. Maybe that’s why I’m SO shocked that no one told me about the existence of Buffalo Wing CHEEZ-IT. My sister surprised me one day and needless to say, I was VERY surprised! And here I thought I knew all the flavors in the land. Apparently not and it was quite the revelation, let me tell you!

Now, I’ve been known to down a buffalo wing or two in my day — and, yes, I’m still sort of mourning the closing of our local Applebee’s, which served the BEST buffalo wings I’ve tasted in my entire life. So I was prepared for some hotness in these tiny square crackers; I knew they’d pack a powerful punch and that their small size was quite deceiving!

SPOILER ALERT: I was right. Exactly right. These crackers certainly didn’t disappoint.

I tried them for the first time last night, expecting a slight rush of the spicy variety. At first, that’s exactly what I got. I mean, it all seemed innocent enough.

A few seconds passed, which actually felt like minutes. Then a few more seconds. And then…

That’s when the fire was unleashed — it was a roaring confection of all things spicy and hot and, to personify those crackers, a little bit of sassiness too. I could only eat a couple before it felt like my mouth was literally on fire.

Yes, those crackers weren’t at all what they seemed at first glance. But give them a minute and they’ll show you their sass and spice really quickly. They may be small, but don’t let that fool you — they’re nothing if not mighty!

As it turns out, you can say the same thing about me. Maybe you’re the same way and people make up their minds about you too soon. Maybe they’d describe you in a way that is the exact opposite of your actual personality, but once they get to know you, that description changes. Obviously, I’ve given this metaphor a lot of thought. Like I said, I’ve got nothing but time during this quarantine!

So, friends, what’s your favorite flavor of CHEEZ-IT crackers? Are you more of a spicy or salty fan?? There are so many options and maybe you’ll be like me and discover something about yourself the next time you find yourself snacking!!! xoxo

P.S. Have you weighed in on my funny tweet yet??

P.P.S. And in case you’re wondering: No, this isn’t a sponsored post. I’m just really, really obsessed with this super snack!

Thursday, January 16, 2020

An Ode to Lay’s: Taste-Testing Their New Flavors

Here’s something that you might not know about me: I’m a potato chips girl. Totally and completely and unabashedly. Yes, I’m not at all ashamed to declare my love for the salty snack!! You can have your cakes and your cookies and your crumpets, but when it comes to potato chips?? Well, let’s just say that I’ll take THEM ALL, please!! That’s why I was so excited when world-famous brand Lay’s reached out to me about their new flavors for 2020.

Spoiler alert: It was the perfect and most delicious way to kick off the new year!!

A couple weeks ago, Lay’s saw my cheeky tweet and sent me an email saying they’d love to send some of their new flavors my way. Less than a week later, this beautiful yellow box with the classic Lay’s logo arrived on my doorstep; I may or may not have screamed in delight (note: I totally did scream!).

This year, the venerable potato chip company (75+ years strong!) is releasing three new flavors to satiate our taste buds: Cheddar Jalapeño, Poppables Sea Salt & Vinegar and Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot. They seem to have all the bases covered — cheesy, salty and spicy!! I mean, there’s something for everyone, right??

All three flavors are out now, so to celebrate, I recruited my mom for a little taste-testing review and mini photo shoot fun! We got to try Cheddar Jalapeño and Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot and I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially with the flavor of flamin’ hot. But let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed.

I first tried Cheddar Jalapeño! Truth be told, they practically had me at the word “cheddar” because we all know that cheese makes everything better! Cheese has invigorated everything from bread (hello, grilled cheese!) to eggs (hello, omelettes!), so I was pretty sure that the same would be true with potato chips. And, boy, was I right! The chips tasted cheesy with a hint of spicy goodness, but it wasn’t an overpowering spicy. It was the kind of spicy that made you perk your head up and take notice — as in, “Oh, that’s spicy, isn’t it?”

When we tried Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot, my mom could only take one bite before she proclaimed that they were too hot and spicy for her. Maybe the deep red hue of the chip should have tipped me off, but I went all in anyway, crunching half the chip in one bit. I was expecting a fire alarm to go off in my mouth, but surprisingly, it wasn’t too bad. I’ve had some very unfortunate experiences with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in the past and I definitely didn’t want a repeat of that again! So I’m proud to announce that I managed to eat two chips before the heat kicked in! It’s a new record for me!!

Plus, as a self-proclaimed Selfie Queen, I love the new Smile With Lay’s campaign, which is all about showcasing those who make us smile! You can nominate yourself or someone in your community and they could be featured on a Lay’s bag this year! How cool is that??? Spreading the love…one bag at a time!!!

Thanks so much, Lay’s!! I had so much fun snacking on these new flavors!! Have you tried them yet, friends? What’s your all-time favorite potato chip flavor?? I’d love to hear!!! xoxo

(This post is sponsored by Lay’s, though all opinions are mine. Thanks so much for continuing to support So About What I Said’s wonderful sponsors!)