The Best Movie Night Snack

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeItAMovieNight #CollectiveBias

My husband and I are super into movie nights. We don't typically go to the movies, we prefer to curl up on our couch and watch a movie there. It's more comfortable, you can pause if you need to, and we have snacks, lots of snacks, spread out on our coffee table.

This weekend, we put a yule log on the TV, turned our Christmas tree lights on, and watched the new movie, War Room. With snacks, of course! Have any of you seen War Room?? You know when you watch a movie and you can't get it out of your head? That's how I felt about War Room. It's a movie with a message. A very important message about marriage. I'll be honest, at some points it was a little cheesy, but there's nothing wrong with some cheese! It's definitely a movie that will stick with you. It's now available for you to own, how about a last minute Christmas gift?

Ok, back to the snacks. You might think that having popcorn, some candy, and a drink is enough. Well, let me elevate your movie snacking experience to a totally new level with this "recipe". Ok, I don't even know if this is considered a recipe, but it's a secret movie snack that is brilliant and INSANELY easy. Seriously, anybody can do this!!!

You Need:

- Orville Redenbacher Popcorn
- M&M’S® Chocolate Candies - regular or peanut

Steps -

Microwave the Orville Redenbacher popcorn according to the directions on the package. AS SOON AS it's done, open the bag slightly, pour in some M&M’S® Chocolate Candies, and shake the bag!! That's it.

Basically what happens is when the M&M’S® Chocolate Candies are poured into the piping hot bag of Orville Redenbacher popcorn, they start to melt and form these gooey chocolate popcorn clusters. It's so good.

Don't forget to grab a Coca-Cola to wash it all down! We prefer Coke Zero :)

From now until February 2, 2016, there's a special VUDU offer. Buy all four participating products (Orville Redenbacher 6 pack Movie Theater Popcorn, M&M’S® Chocolate Candies, Coca-Cola 6-pack, and War Room) in one transaction at Walmart, snap a picture of your receipt, and visit uploadreceipt.com/movienight to upload. You'll get a $10 Vudu movie code sent to you by email! (while supplies last, limit 1 per person)

TIP: Take a picture of this link now so you remember it!!


Have you seen War Room??? I want to hear what you thought!! 

The Ultimate Resource for Unique Gifts

 

I loooove giving interesting, thoughtful, and unique Christmas gifts (or really gifts for birthdays would apply, too!). Throughout the year I brainstorm and search for the most perfect gift for everyone on my Christmas list. However, there are always those people that I have a hard time finding a gift for. The first place I go when this happens? Uncommon Goods. 

Uncommon Goods is the BEST website for all those unique items that you just can't find anywhere else. There are things for kids, home decor items, personalized art, pretty much anything you can think of. This year, I found these super cool interchangeable wood bow ties for my husband. I was so excited to give them to him that I let him open them early. He is obsessed. I mean, they're not just any wood bow tie, they are changeable! The piece in the middle is magnetic so you can change out the wood pieces. Amazing.

 

It's also worth mentioning that it's totally acceptable to buy something for yourself from Uncommon Goods! ;)


Here are some gift ideas for WOMEN
Here are some gift ideas for MEN



This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods, however, I really truly love this website!!

How to Throw a Successful Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to help coordinate a Gingerbread House Decorating Party at the Cordova Family YMCA. It was a huuuuuuge success!! We put a lot of work into it ahead of time and it definitely paid off. Every single family that came seemed to really enjoy themselves and every child left with a gingerbread house and a huge smile on their face.

There are a few things I learned by putting this event together that will really help us next year and that I hope will help someone else put together a super successful and extremely fun gingerbread decorating party. Here are some helpful tips:

Don't Use Real Gingerbread
Yep, this one might seem a little silly but when you have a few dozen families signed up to attend and you're trying to stick to a budget, it was much easier for us to use graham crackers for the house pieces and sugar cones for trees.

Prepare Individual Bags of Icing in Advance
This was probably the most difficult part of this whole process. Since we were trying to stay within a budget, we determined it was better for us to just try to make the icing ourselves. After some internet searching, I found a simple recipe that didn't take too much time or too many ingredients.

For one batch, which resulted in about ten small snack bags of icing, you simply combine 4 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of meringue powder (which can be found at craft stores), and 5-7 tablespoons of water.

Provide Something to Build On
At first, we were going to use paper plates but they were a little flimsy once you put the weight of a house and a tree on them. So, we cut some cardboard pieces and wrapped them in tin foil. The perfect foundation!

Use Tablecloths
In addition to making the room more festive, this helped tremendously with cleanup!

Get the Whole Family Involved
The best part of the whole night was walking around and watching all the families building holiday villages together. Honestly, the parent's were having just as much fun (if not more) than the kids. Imaginations were running wild and memories were being made.

I am overjoyed and incredibly thankful that I could be part of such a fun event. Already looking forward to next year!

OREO Holiday Cookie Pops

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpreadOREOCheer #CollectiveBias

It's seriously the most wonderful time of the year. Wouldn't you agree? Sure, the Holidays can be crazy busy and stressful, but aren't we all busy doing fun things? I just love all the Christmas gatherings, events, and special baked goods. I love how warm my home feels with the tree all lit up. It's a time to make memories and enjoy time with loved ones. Like I said, the most wonderful time of the year.

Ok, let's talk for a minute about the holiday baked goods. With the convenience of Kroger and the fact that I have never met someone who doesn't like OREO cookies, let me share with you a tried and true official OREO holiday recipe to help you spread some OREO Christmas cheer.

Let me start off by saying, these Holiday OREO Cookie Pops are easssyyyyyy to make and will be super impressive whether you make them to give to your kids, to bring to a holiday party, or to gift to friends and family (or all of the above).

Holiday OREO Cookie Pops

You Need:
- 12 OREO Cookies - I used Mint OREO Cookies and Original OREO Cookies
- 8 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted
- 1 tsp. oil
- Decorations - I used melted red and green candy coating wafers and holiday sprinkles
- 12 wooden pop sticks

Instructions:

- Insert wooden pop sticks into filling in the center of each cookie: place on parchment-covered baking sheet. Freeze 10 minutes.

- Mix melted chocolate and oil in a small bowl until blended. Dip cookies, 1 at a time, in the chocolate mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides of each cookie. Return to baking sheet.

- Decorate as desired.

- Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate coating is firm.

So, the next time you're in Kroger, you miiiiight want to pick up some OREO cookies.

Which flavor OREO are you going to use in this recipe?

Snacking the Easy Way with Eatsie Box (Giveaway)

I am the worst grocery shopper. Let me clarify. I'm actually pretty good at meal planning, and getting everything I need to cook dinner during the week. However, I always forget to pick up snacks.

When I had the opportunity to try an Eatsie Box, I realized my snacking problems were over. A box delivered to my door with delicious items to snack on? Perfect!

I opened the box with my husband and we enjoyed sifting through the seemingly neverending box and going through the snacks we knew we loved like Justin's Peanut Butter Cups and the snacks we had never heard of but were excited to try like Cadbury CurlyWurly Bars.

So, if I haven't already convinced you that Eatsie Box is the best, they've offered to give away a box to a lucky Ten Feet Off Beale reader:

Ten Feet Off Beale EatsieBox Giveaway

Stitch Fix: Help Me Choose!

The day my Stitch Fix box is waiting at my front door is one of the best days ever! I can hardly get the door shut behind me before I'm opening the box to see what they picked up specifically just for me.

I do a quick makeup check, set up the tripod, and then I try everything on, so you guys can help me!! Help me decide what I should keep from this particular Stitch Fix:

Curious about Stitch Fix? Here's how it works:

1) Sign up for Stitch Fix by filling out their special style profile.
After providing your basic information, they'll ask you some style questions. This is so your personal stylist can get a good idea of what you like, what you have, and what you need in your closet.

2) Receive a box of hand picked items.
In each box you'll find five items that are specifically picked for you based on your style profile and any other notes you might have included. They also include style tips for each item so you know exactly how versatile each item can be.

3) Try everything on. Keep what you want and send everything else back!
This is the fun part. Instead of trying everything on in cramped dressing rooms, you get to try everything on in the comfort of your own home. I especially like that this gives you the opportunity to pair items you already have with your Stitch Fix items to see how things will go together.

  

5 Things to Do This Christmas in Memphis

Oh Christmas time. Definitely one of my favorite times in Memphis! I love that just about every restaurant, store, museum, and street corner has holiday decorations. It's a very festive time of year around here and it's the best!! Here are some of the things you MUST do this Christmas if you're in Memphis. And if you're not in Memphis? Visiting around the holidays is something you should do. Seriously.


1 - Visit the new tree downtown and see the decorated storefronts - Downtown Memphis has a brand new Christmas tree on the corner of Peabody Place and Main Street and it is awesome. Honestly, every time I walk by there are people taking pictures in front of it. It's so pretty!! Also, there was a storefront decorating contest meaning all the storefronts are pretttttttty awesome.

2 - Zoo Lights - When Jeremy and I first started dating, he took me to Zoo Lights. Needless to say, it now has a special place in our hearts and we enjoy going back every year. This year, take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and mosey around the Zoo's beautiful Christmas light displays.

3 - Hang out at The Peabody - The Peabody Hotel is another place that has a special place in my heart. It's where we got married! It's also one of my favorite places to hang out during the holidays. I love the way they decorate the lobby, their seriously amazing hot chocolate, and I enjoy checking out their gingerbread village.

4 - Graceland - I know, Memphians just don't go to Graceland. It's a special place just for tourists. Well, let me tell you. To all of you Memphians who have never been... you're missing out!! Graceland is most definitely not just for tourists, it's an amazing place to visit. Especially at Christmas time when they decorate with Elvis' actual Christmas decorations.

5 - Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Market - Support local art by stopping by this holiday pop-up shop. Pick up some Christmas gifts, or even a gift for yourself. Yes, that is totally allowed. The market is located at 1501 Union Avenue and will be around until December 24th.


We've been enjoying the holidays for sure. Be sure to follow along on Instagram (@alyssaplong) and Snapchat (alyssaplong) to see all the fun stuff in action!

What are your favorite things to do this time of year?

The Best Stocking Stuffer -- for College Students

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SlimJimYourHoliday #CollectiveBias

I am the type of person who likes to give thoughtful, useful gifts at Christmas time. I want people to know I appreciate them about and that I put thought into something they would enjoy and/or need. For some reason, I have the hardest time choosing a gift to give to my brother, who is in college. I don't know why! At first thought, buying for a college student would be simple, but I always have the most difficult time with this one.

This year, I think I found a good gift to give him (I don't want to share yet, juuuuust in case he reads this here blog), but I also came up with a GREAT stocking stuffer that I'm pretty excited about. A Study Survival Kit!!!

I filled a mason jar with chocolate candy, peanuts, and Slim Jims. It's the perfect combination of salty and sweet and super easy to throw into a backpack to be brought to the library for long study sessions.

Not going to lie, my husband asked for one of these jars in his stocking this year. It also makes a great work snack for those of us who are no longer students.

Bonus, the 26 pack of Slim Jims makes it SUPER easy to make multiple jars.

I found everything I needed at Walmart!

What are your favorite stocking stuffers to give or receive??

The Easiest Way to Gift Christmas Cookies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheHoliday #CollectiveBias

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the giving. I love finding the perfect gift for someone I care about. I especially love making gifts for people and including everyone! This year, I'll be using these Rubbermaid TakeAlongs that I found at Walmart to give homemade Christmas cookies to the important people I encounter everyday that I want to thank in a special way. I want them to know they're important to me! For instance, my coworkers (who I spend more time with than just about anybody), my trolley driver (I have the same one every afternoon), and my mailman.

I could just plop some cookies on a paper plate and call it a day, but isn't a seal-able container so much better? It'll keep the cookies fresh anddddd they're way cuter. Plus, you won't have to worry about anything spilling or getting crumbs everywhere.

The add some extra Christmas cheer to the containers, I simply wrapped them around a few times with yarn, and added some tassels I threw together. Then, I attached a printable to make this gift even more festive. I will write a special little note on the back of the tag before I give them to the lucky recipient.

Oh, and how about I make this even easier for you to give the gift of Christmas cookies?? Here's a link to the Santa Approved printable!

Now I'm not just going to leave you hanging. Here's the recipe I used to make these deliciousssss Snickerdoodle Butter Cookies. I have many fond memories from my childhood of decorating butter cookies around Christmas time. It's still just as fun to do as an adult. Seriously, try it!

 

You know, these Rubermaid TakeAlongs would also be great to send guests home with leftovers after a holiday gathering. The possibilities are endless. 

Also, for the Ibotta users out there, there's a special $1 Off Any 2 Rubbermaid TakeAlong Products rebate right now exclusive to Walmart shoppers.

Ok, now I want to know, what kinds of Christmas cookies are you making this year???