giveaways

**This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Laura D — ENJOY your new Le Creuset!!**

You know how I'm absolutely in love with my new Le Creuset French Oven. I debated and debated over which one to get and you all passionately debated as well. 😉 Well, after I bought my new Le Creuset, I discovered the AMAZING prices at Cookware.com on Le Creuset! You can get a complete Le Creuset gift set for only $199. That's $200 off, people!! The 7-piece set is over $300 off.

And they don't just have Le Creuset. Cookware.com has everything from Calphalon is up to 70% off and Henckels knives for 60% off! This Cuisinart Grind and Brew Coffeemaker is a personal favorite of mine and this is a great price! Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers are another classic that every cook would swoon for! You can even get Electrolux washers and dryers for 20% off! 

With graduations, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and wedding season coming up, you can get some fabulous gifts shipped for free right to your front door!

Cookware.com is generously offering a lucky Girlymama reader a gorgeous Le Creuset 12" x 9.5" Rectangular Baking Dish in Cherry.  Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1:
Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite color of Le Creuset.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: CSN Stores provided me
with this giveaway for my readers. I
was not compensated financially for this post.

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Amy! Enjoy your new bag!!

I recently discovered the little gem that is Baby Cribs Plus. They carry all the hottest brands of baby cribs, bedding and accessories – even diaper bags – at terrific prices.  They carry tons of the same brands that my local uber-pricey baby boutique has for a lot less. Plus, there's no sales tax and free shipping on all orders over $69.

I love that they have all the classic brands you find everywhere – like Britax and Graco – and also those swanky, unique brands you usually only find in boutiques. Its a great place to get baby gifts for friends or to decorate your nursery in a truly unique way! The artwork by CiCi Art Factory is just darling and I'm in love with the modern and fun crib bedding by Gus & Max. And what new mom (and dad) wouldn't love a hip diaper bag?

The great folks at Baby Cribs Plus are offering a lucky Girlymama reader this adorable Saddlebag Diaper Bag from Skip Hop!! Here's how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite brand sold at Baby Cribs Plus.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: CSN Stores provided me with this giveaway for my readers. I was not compensated financially for this post.

This giveaway is now closed! Congratulations to Juice! Enjoy!

  Friday evening, our family went to a place that holds a special place in my heart, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (You may recall that a certain blog author *AHEM. ME!* was proposed to on these very steps!)

We went to see the special exhibit Picasso and the Avant Garde in Paris. It was just fabulous. The exhibit includes over two hundred works of art, including Picasso’s Three Musicians!  We took our girls – ages 5 and 7 – and, yes, even our two-year-old! They really enjoyed it.  This is their third trip to the art museum and they always enjoy it. The colors, the energy, the whole atmosphere of the Picasso exhibit was perfect for them. Ellie even recognized some of the paintings from art classes and Gracie claimed she saw one of Sesame Street before. They seemed drawn to the sculptures – looks like another visit to the Rodin Museum is in order – and really enjoyed the dramatic presentation of the larger paintings. Its such a gorgeous exhibit – even children can appreciate it!

I know that when it comes to activities to do with children, the art
museum probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. After all, it
is very quiet and full of things you’re not supposed to touch. But I
really encourage you to give it a try. Its probably too much for your
average toddler, but older preschoolers and elementary age kids really
can enjoy it. There is so much to see. My kids love rooms like the ceremonial teahouse and temple hall.
And they recognize lots paintings now from art class or books or tv.
You need to tailor your visit to your kids – go when they are well
rested and have full bellies – and don’t plan on seeing the entire
museum. Be flexible and just enjoy sharing the world of art with your kids. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll inspire them and how much they’ll learn about art!

Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering a lucky Girlymama reader a copy of Oooh! Picasso – a fabulous book showing children how to see art in different ways!! Here’s how to enter: 

1. Contest ends Friday, April 16th.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment sharing an art memory: when you saw a famous painting or when you first learned about art or another experience with art that has stuck with you.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you followed @Philamuseum on Twitter or joined their Facebook Fan Page.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, emailing friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!

Disclosure: Philadelphia Museum of Art provided us with admission to the Picasso exhibit as well as providing this book to give to one of my readers. I was not compensated financially
for this post.

I’m making a version of this for a friend’s birthday dinner this weekend. Yummy yummy.

Roast Beef with Carmelized Shallots
serves 10-12

6 pounds boneless rib-eye roast (with fat), tied, if desired or
9 pounds bone-in rib-eye roast (with fat)
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
2 pounds shallots, peeled and halved if large
2 tsp light brown sugar
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup dry red wine
2 tbsp dijon mustard

1. Preheat oven to 500°. Season beef with salt and pepper. Place in a large roasting pan; roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Place shallots around beef; roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of beef registers 130° for medium-rare, 1 to 1 1/4 hours more, turning shallots with tongs after about 30 minutes. (For bone-in, plan on 2 hours cooking time.)
3. Transfer beef to a platter; tent loosely with foil. Transfer shallots to a shallow bowl (continue cooking if not golden brown). Toss with sugar and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil to keep warm.
4. Pour off fat from pan. Add wine; cook over medium heat until syrupy, scraping bottom of pan, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 2 cups water; cook until reduced by half, 4 to 8 minutes. Strain into a small bowl; whisk in mustard and any accumulated juices from beef. Season with salt and pepper; serve with beef and shallots.

Recipe origin: Everyday Food