Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Movie Premiere of “Mystery on Mistletoe Lane” on Thursday, November 9th at 8pm/7c! #MiraclesofChristmas #Ad

This afternoon, as I was running some errands after work, I realized that they have begun to decorate the shopping strip in our neighborhood with holiday decor. I know some people joke about holiday lights being put up the day after Halloween by some overzealous merry makers but, the truth is that seeing the decorations displayed really does put one into the holiday spirit! It's that time of the year when all we can think about are those cozy nights in and pumpkin spice lattes! That means Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas are back on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries to welcome the exciting 2023 holiday season! One of my favorite Christmas memories was the year that I redecorated our living room and invited the entire family to spend Christmas Eve with us. I remember feeling excited to show off my decorating skills as I had single-handedly painted the whole room and picked out all the decor and furniture. Also, I was very … [Read more...]

Hallmark Channel’s LOVEUARY Original Premiere of “The Wedding Veil Unveiled” on Saturday, February 12th at 8pm/7c!  #TheWeddingVeil #AD

When you have been married for over twenty years, your definition of romance evolves over time and based on your experiences as a couple. This can definitely be said of how I perceive romance or romantic gestures from my husband over the years. As a younger couple, my expectations for romance were pretty traditional such as receiving flowers and cards on Valentine's Day or getting cute messages on my pager. I'm pretty sure I'm dating myself by admitting that I still had a pager when we began dating in the late nineties. LOL! Now that I am older and wiser, I understand that romance comes in many forms but, specifically, in some of the most unexpected ways. These days, romance sounds like receiving a phone call after work just to make sure that I had a good day, bringing home my favorite foods, or spending time together watching movies. You definitely come to be more appreciative of the little things once you've been together for a long time. After all, flowers are nice but … [Read more...]

“Sugar Plum Twist” Now Streaming on HMNow and Premieres on Hallmark Channel Dec. 17th!! #SugarPlumTwist #Ad

It's surreal to me that next week is already Christmas! This has always been my favorite time of the year because everyone seems to be in a good mood around the holidays and just a little bit nicer. I'm very excited to spend some quality time with my loved ones during this holiday season and I am reminded of holidays past and favorite memories with my husband and my sons. Both of my sons are now teenagers but I think they continue to love some of the traditions that we have repeated year after year. Part of spending time together during the holidays has always included watching Christmas movies together and really getting into the holiday spirit. We've been planning our holiday movie lineup as we approach our upcoming vacation from work and school next week here in New York City. On our list of movies to watch is the all NEW Hallmark Movies Now Original Movie, "Sugar Plum Twist" on HMNow and Premieres Dec. 17th on Hallmark Channel! It features Professional … [Read more...]

“Mistletoe in Juneau” out Oct. 19th from Hallmark Publishing Review + Giveaway! #MistletoeInJuneau #Giveaway #Ad

I have been an avid reader since I was a teenager and I still enjoy a good book now that I am an adult. Imagine my delight when I found out that Hallmark Publishing is giving me even more ways to relax and indulge in heartwarming romances with both novelizations as well as original novels with their brand-new holiday book releases! The holidays are my favorite time of the year and I am so excited about being able to enjoy them while curling up with a good book which also doubles as the perfect gift for my loved ones who love reading as much as I do! Hallmark Publishing is releasing four NEW heartwarming books titled On Christmas Avenue, Mistletoe in Juneau, Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope, and Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing. All of these titles are available in Paperback, e-book, and Audiobook. I had the opportunity to read Mistletoe in Juneau and I loved it. Reading this story is making me look forward to the holidays even more since it also features additional recipes … [Read more...]

Candyman – In Theaters Now! #CandymanMovie

I've always been a huge fan of the horror/thriller movie genre and there are some cult classics which have been on my "favorites" list for years. The original Candyman film has always been on that list so I was thrilled to find out that Jordan Peele unleashed a fresh take on the blood-chilling urban legend. The film focuses on the residents of the housing projects of Chicago's Cabrini-Green neighborhood and how they were terrorized by a word-of-mouth ghost story about a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand, easily summoned by those daring to repeat his name five times in a mirror. In present day, a decade after the last of the Cabrini towers were torn down, visual artist Anthony McCoy and his partner, gallery director Brianna Cartwright unknowingly open a door to a complex past that unleashes a terrifying wave of violence. (from left) Brianna Cartwright (Teyonah Parris) and Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) in Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta. My eighteen-year old … [Read more...]

Introducing Entenmann’s Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies! #SprinklefestGiveaway #Entenmanns #ad

My younger son commented to me today, after we returned from spending the day at the beach, that he is having a great summer. I was happy to hear that he is enjoying himself since the past few summers have been much different due to the pandemic. I have been enjoying packing our lunches and snacks for our outdoor adventures. Many of these picnic lunches have included Entenmann's® Minis because they are the same delicious variety of baked goods we know and love, from donuts, crumb cake, apple pie and more, perfectly sized, and individually wrapped.  My son especially loves NEW Entenmann's® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies. Let's be honest, there's nothing more fun than the addition of sprinkles – especially on top of a classic snack like brownies! Entenmann's Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies are fudgy, moist and topped with a layer of decadent fudge icing and fun, colorful sprinkles. We are usually very busy during the week so it is nice to have convenient snack options that are … [Read more...]

Celebrate Christmas in July with Hallmark Channel’s Original Premiere of “Crashing Through the Snow” July 10th at 9pm/8c!

**Christmas in July is showing right NOW on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!!**  If you have ever spent any time in New York City during the summertime, you know that it can get really hot and humid in this city. School officially ends this week and, after dealing with the pandemic for the last year and a half, everyone is excited at the prospect of the world starting to open back up. I know that one of the things I will be doing this summer is binge watching my favorite programs and channels in the comfort of my cool air conditioner. Hallmark Channel is one of my favorite channels because they always have the best family movies and, this summer, I'm excited to celebrate Christmas in July with the original premiere of "Crashing Through the Snow" on July 10th at 9pm/8c! It just so happens that Christmas is my favorite holiday so this event is right up my alley. I've always been a hopeless romantic and "Crashing Through the Snow," starring Amy Acker and Warren Christie, is … [Read more...]

Nominate Your EntenMAN Of The Year This Father’s Day! #Entenmanns #EntenMANofTheYear #Ad

Father's Day is coming up next month and my sons and I are excited to not only celebrate my husband for all he does for our family, but also my father who is the patriarch of our family. Although we like to show both of them how much we love and appreciate them every single day, Father's Day is a special day where we can really make the whole day all about them. This year, we are going to recognize both of them since Entenmann's® Donuts is hosting its first-ever Entemann's® Donuts "EntenMAN of The Year Father's Day Contest" to celebrate anyone who has made a fatherly impact on your life (male or female) – whether a Dad, coach, teacher or other – in time for Father's Day! Between May 10 and June 21, fans can visit www.entenmanoftheyear.com to submit their nomination for "EntenMAN of the Year." All you have to do is fill out an entry form and share a short response describing why you think the special dad in your life deserves to win the "EntenMAN of the Year" title, … [Read more...]

Get Outdoors This Summer With Super Wubble Blue And Groovy Wubble!@SuperWubble #Ad

It has definitely required some creativity on the part of parents when it comes to getting kids and young people outdoors during this pandemic. As parents, we realize the importance of making sure that your kids stay active and get enough sunlight, Vitamin D, and fresh air. That is why our family love Super Wubble products! Not only are they durable and fun, but they allow our family to have fun outdoors safely and still remain active. Super Wubble Blue looks like a bubble but it plays like a ball! My teens love that they can kick it, whack it, throw it, bounce it—even sit on it! Super Wubble is made from a squishy, squashy, super soft and lightweight material called Xpandium and is engineered to be super gentle. Unlike other balls, it molds around whatever it hits – foot or face – then bounces away, leaving laughter in its wake. It can be inflated to gigantic proportions (24-30 inches is best) and is fun to play with indoors or out, all year round. Now that Spring has begun in New … [Read more...]

Focus On The Lifestyle You Want!

Thank you AstraZeneca for sponsoring this post. Many of you who are long-time readers of Tough Cookie Mommy know that I originally began this blog after being diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis literally rocked my whole world as a young mother with a toddler and a newborn baby and I just needed a place where I could vent and share my emotions whenever I was feeling overwhelmed. I had no idea then that I would be telling my story to other women and families so many years later. And with September being Blood Cancer Awareness Month, I feel it’s more important than ever to share my story. My journey began in 2007, shortly after the birth of my youngest son. I had a routine follow-up visit with my doctor and she noticed that my White Blood Cells (WBCs) were kind of high after she reviewed my bloodwork. She discussed with me that, although it was probably nothing, she wanted me to see a hematologist just to make sure that nothing else was going on with me. She explained that a … [Read more...]