Halloween Kids DIY Candy Apple Recipe

Celebrations

It never ceases to amaze me. As many choices as there are already for Halloween candy, new products keep showing up on grocery store shelves each holiday season. The latest example is a classic candy company that has been around for what seems like forever: Nestle. To add to their existing seasonal offerings for Halloween, the candy maker has five new products great for handing out to trick-or-treaters, to serve at parties to celebrate this holiday or to create sweet recipes like I did for this post.

My Candy Apples Made w/ Nestle Candy

MBE partnered with Nestle Chocolate for this post

New Nestle chocolate and confectionery treats for Halloween 2012 include SweeTARTS Skulls & Bones, Nestle Crunch Pumpkin Singles, Butterfinger Pumpkin Singles, Wonka Trickster Treats and Wonka Spooky Nerds. In case you're wondering, the two big bags of candy pictured are huge with between 45 and 60 pieces of candy per package.

New and Classic Nestle Candy varieties in this year's Halloween collection

Nestle Butterfinger Pumpkin Chocolate Singles

Thanks to Nestle I received a copious amount of candy to facilitate this post. So, I decided to think outside the box and get really creative by taking the Butterfinger Caramel Apple recipe and making it my own using dark chocolate bark and white chocolate bark melted in the microwave instead of caramel as the base. Then I unwrapped and coarsely chopped Butterfinger and Nestle Crunch candy bars to garnish the apples and on one apple added some festive Halloween sugar sprinkles for some more festive fall color.

Ingredients used to make the candy apples for this post

Nestle Crunch, Goobers, Butterfinger Candy Apples

I did some more chocolate apples the same way instead using two other of the brand's products for decorating: Raisinets and Goobers. These elegant candy apples rival the gourmet mail order ones that sell for $15-$18 each and are truly impressive. As my kids will attest, every variety I made was as sweet and delicious as it looks in this post. For sure these would be great to serve at your child's class Halloween Party, at a teen or adult Halloween celebration or even to give away as thoughtful gifts to show your appreciation to people like the security guard at school and your mailman. 

Guess what? It gets even better than that. The best part is that you can actually save money on Nestle Halloween candy -- both the oldies and the new ones available this year -- even at the last minute. All you have to do is Like the Wonka Facebook Page and then go to the Halloween Savings tab and you'll be able to grab three downloadable coupons for different products such as Nestle's fun-size classic bags and Wonka candy packages.

Here's something else that's really cool. Nestle is holding the Wonka Candy Exchange for one day only on November 1st. While supplie last, kids 13 and older can exchange all their unwanted Halloween candy for regular-sized Wonka candy brands including Nerds, Laffy Taffy and SweeTARTs. Complete information on this fun candy exchange program is available on Wonka's Facebook page.

FTC Disclosure: I received the Nestle products pictured to facilitate this review but did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar With Great Prizes Week of October 28 - November 3

Twitter Parties

Tweet

Updated 11/2/12

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing a few Facebook parties with prizes in every issue too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.


THIS WEEK

Monday, October 29

Join the Huggies Mom Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @HuggiesMom @Huggies @MomCentral @StacyDeBroff @momcentralchat @DadCentral. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Walmart gift codes #Huggies RSVP

Virtual Shelter Dog ASPCA Halloween Twitter Party at 7 pm ET Live on YouStream http://www.ustream.tv/aspca @Dogtipper @ASPCA Prizes TBA RSVP

Howlween Halloween Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @PetSafe talking about dog costumes, treats and safety. #HowloweenPawty. Must RSVP to be eligible for prizes

Halloween Haunted Travel Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 @CindyRichards Prize: TBA #TMom RSVP

CANCELED & Postponed: Duracell #WhatPowersYou Twitter party at 9 pm ET with @Mysmiley360 @oconghd @nattyp415 @ignaciomorenow. Prizes: FIFTY (50) footballs signed by Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers RSVP

Fall Fashion Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @candypo @manouvellemode @thegrantlife. Multiple prizes with the Grand Prize being ONE (1) Kohl's $25 gift card. #copycatcloset RSVP

Tuesday, October 30

All day #TweetTuesday with @PTPA. To win RT & answer What are you handing out to trick or treaters for Halloween this year?. TWO (2) winners will receive a @Kobo Vox

Lean Cuisine #FrozenFavorites Twitter Party at Noon ET with @loveandcents @wahmdiva @leancuisine. Prizes: $250 in Sam's Club gift cards; Grand Prize is $100 Sam's GC. #cbias RSVP

Smart Snack Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Kellysluckyyou @East9thstreet @DelMonteFoods. Prizes: Walmart gift cards every 15 mins: TWO (2) $50 GCs, ONE (1) $75 GC and Grand Prize of $150 GC. #SmartSnack #cbias RSVP

Shop Your Way Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @kmart @kmartdeals. Prizes: $1000 in gift cards to be given away. #WWEChat Details

Cesar Cuisine Share the Love Twitter Party to talk about man's (and woman's) best friend -- dogs and pups -- at 3 pm ET with @momcentral. SIX (6) $50 gift card codes during party and TWO (2) $50 GCs for pre-tweeting before party. #Sharethelove RSVP

@MomitForward Girls Night Out American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @AADSMorg @DrDemokoDMD @jylmomIF @dadventurous @troypattee @MomitForward. Prize: ONE (1) winner will win a $250 Pottery Barn gift certificate to be used toward brand new bedding #gno #SmartMomsKnow RSVP

Wednesday, October 31

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win RSVP

Thursday, November 1


Giving Tuesday Twitter Party at Noon ET. Prizes: FIVE (5) $25 Visa gift cards. #GivingTuesday RSVP

Join the Parent Tested Parent Approved Twitter Party  at 1 pm ET with @PTPA. Prizes include many of the outstanding products from ABC Kids Expo including breast pumps, feeding pillows, a Monkey Mat and other prizes too numerous to list.  Details #PTPAChat

4th Annual Contest Corner Holiday Gift Guide Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @hardertobreathe @jaided. Almost $350 worth of prizes including $50 and $25 Amazon gift cards, clothes, games, toys and other gifts too numerous to list. #CCGiftGuide RSVP

Manners for Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Discussing parenting and your child's life skills with @SusanBerry @SouthernPlate @incourage @247moms. Prizes TBA. #Manners4MomsBook

Holiday Hosting Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @GettingFreedom @MindiCherry @MommySavesMoney @DebtFreeSpendin @Savings @Savings_Nation. $300 in Prizes to be given away. #SavingsNation RSVP

Yes to Education Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @MomsLA @EducateOurState @Craigcheslog @Edgarzazueta @crystlclrtome talking about California Prop 30 and Prop 38. Prizes: Educate Our State SWAG and Visa Giftcards. #momsLAChat #yes4ed Details

Friday, November 2

Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) 5th Birthday Bash Party 8 am - 8 pm ET on Facebook. PTPA Award Winner prizes valued at hundreds of dollars include: a KOBO eReader, a brand new Hasbro Furby ($69 value), a hand-crafted rocking horse from StorkCraft, food and restaurant gift cards and other prizes too numerous to list.  Details

GE Lighting Champions for Kids Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @outnumberedmama. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 Walmart gift cards and ONE (1) $100 Walmart GC for Grand Prize winner. #cbias #GELightingCFK RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theOnlineMom at 3 pm ET chatting about mobile lifestyle. Prizes: A smartphone + $125 Verizon gift card or a Verizon Swag Bag. To be eligible to win participate in the party, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

Bread Month Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Momcentral @StacyDeBroff @MomCentralChat. Prizes: TWO (2) pre-party $50 gift codes plus SIX (6) $50 gift code winners for party attendees #Breadmonth RSVP

NEXT WEEK


Monday, November 5

Cookies Kids Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @somedayilllearn. Prizes: THREE (3) Cookie's Kids $25 gift cards; ONE (1) Grand Prize of a $100 gift card.  #CookiesKids #cbias RSVP

Holiday Card Etiquette Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Celebrations @FineStationery @CraneandCo. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners will each receive $50 worth of stationery gift cards. #FSHoliday RSVP

Where's My Water Hasbro Twitter Party with @Resourcefulmom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: FIVE (5) Hasbro Where's My Water Games will be given away. #HasbroWMW RSVP

Fall for Art Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @ThriftyChicMom @GalleryDirect talking about Fall art, Halloween art and Pinterest. FIVE (5) winners will each receive a custom piece of art valued at up to $200. RSVP

Tuesday, November 6

Simply Fine Gourmet Twitter party at 9 pm ET with @spokesmoms @AliLandry @SimplyFineGMT @AllAroundBeautE @FaVeMama. Prizes: $50 Simply Fine Gourmet GC, Grand Prize is Winner's Choice of Turkey Bill Niman Ranch Heritage Turkey #SimplyMom RSVP

Wednesday, November 7

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party chatting about tech and family life at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Thursday, November 8

Moms and Brands Holiday Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @momsandbrands. Prizes from Horizon Organic, 34 Degrees, Bhakti Chai PackIt.  #MomsandBrands RSVP

Land Central Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mompact @TheIQMom @HorridHousewife talking about land ownership. Prizes: TWO (2) Flourish Gift Cards and ONE (1) $50 Amazon giftcard. #OwnLand RSVP

Friday, November 9

AT&T Mobile Safety School Twitter Party at 2 pm ET. Five prizes including TWO (2) Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 devices and THREE (3) $50 Target gift cards #ATTMobileSafety RSVP

Join the #theonlinemom #VZWBuzz @VerizonInsider for the weekly Twitter Party hosted by @theOnlineMom at 3 pm ET. Prizes TBA. To be eligible to win participate in the party and RSVP

COMING SOON

Tuesday, November 13

Funky Monkey Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET talking about coping strategies for fitness, stress and nutrition during the holidays. Prize: ONE (1) winner gets a variety party of Funky Monkey Snacks #Funkychat RSVP

The Aflac Holiday Duck Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Shespeaksup @AflacDuck. Prizes TBA. Stay tuned for more details and link to RSVP soon

Wednesday, November 14

Kikkoman Twitter Party hosted by @MySmiley360. Prizes TBA. More details coming as soon as they're available.

Thursday, November 15

Home Depot Twitter Party talking about Fall home style at 8 pm ET hosted by @MomSpark @momsparkmedia. Prizes: TWO (2) $50 Home Depot gift cards and ONE (1) $100 Home Depot GC. #AskTHD RSVP
More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog. 

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message. 

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line. 

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

3 Easy DIY Fall Home Improvement Projects

Home Style

Home Improvement Tasks Easy Enough to Do Yourself

Editor's Note: Summer is but a distant memory. If you're like me right about now you could use some inspiration to finally take on those do-it-yourself home improvement projects you procrastinated about during those lazy warmer months. So I'm pleased to present this guest post by home improvement expert and TV personality Lou Manfredini. Hopefully you'll learn a new thing or two in this story and be motivated to get out your toolbox and get to work -- I know I sure did.

Vice and bolts on work bench

Guest Post 
by Lou Manfredini 

Active summer months can play havoc on your home, whether you’ve been playing host for the neighborhood kids or simply spending more time enjoying warm summer days. With cooler temperatures on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to tackle a few do-it yourself projects around the house and to save some money along the way. 

Smart preparation can make all the difference when you’re taking on projects around the house. Whether you’re adding insulation to help reduce heating bills or restoring tired floors or furniture, it’s important to protect yourself with the proper safety gear.

Rev up kids' outdoor toys after a long summer of play

You’ve invested a lot of money in outdoor kid’s toys, like the plastic table and chairs or a little pedal car.  But they now look a little tired after a summer’s use.  Instead of sending them to the landfill, breathe new life into them with a fresh coat of vibrant spray paint and it’s so easy to do!

Clean the toys first and allow them to dry completely before painting.  When painting make sure to use a respirator and eye protection and spray these items in a well-ventilated area.  Apply light coats and allow those to dry about 30 minutes before recoating. Your toys will look as good (or better!) than new!

Mr. Fix-it expert Lou Manfredini, Image provided by 3M Tekk

Save money, save energy

There are many ways to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, but one of the best ways is to add insulation to your attic.  Your attic is like a hat on your head; warm air will rise and exit right out of the vents … air that you paid to heat.

This one step will make a big difference in your heating bills but please make sure you take the proper safety precautions when installing it in your home. Wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt, eye protection and a respirator, like the like 3M™ TEKK Protection™ Sanding and Fiberglass Valved Respirator. This particular respirator features 3M™ Cool Flow™ Valve technology for heat reduction and easier breathing and will help protect your lungs from insulation fibers which may escape into the air. 

Add fall flair by refinishing furniture, wood flooring 

Save money and add some new flair to your home by refinishing a piece of furniture. Wood floors add lasting beauty to your home and it’s one of the only flooring options that can be renewed. Better yet, this is a project that you can do yourself, and if you take your time will produce professional results.

• First, sand down the piece of furniture with medium grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to get into the nooks and crannies.
• Use a finish stripper if there are many coats of finish or paint.  When using chemical strippers it is very important to wear a proper respirator. The Paint Odor Valved Respirator from 3M TEKK Protection has an extra carbon layer for odor reduction and is a perfect option for this type of project. Refinishing Gloves will also help protect your hands and don’t forget safety eyewear to prevent possible splashes in your eyes.
• Once all the finish is off of the piece, lightly sand again.
• Stain the wood in the color of your choice with a brush, let dry, lightly sand with #0000 steel wool and apply a finish. Three coats total and you now have a new-old piece of furniture to display in your home. 

Lou Manfredini in his workshop, Image provided by 3M Tekk

About the Author of this Guest Post
Lou Manfredini is a home improvement expert and spokesperson for 3M Tekk Protection. He is best know as host of House Smarts TV and Mr. Fix-It on WGN Radio in Chicago. Always entertaining while teaching new DIY homeowners skills, he has served as the official home improvement contributor to NBC TV 's Today Show since 2000.

FTC Disclosure: No payment or other compensation related to this post was exchanged between this blog, the guest author of this story or any other party.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.