If you take the time to visit the Smarties website, you'll find out a lot about the company's history and also other little tidbits of information that can be fun trivia to learn. For example, do you know what flavor each different color tablet is? Here's a hint:

White = Orange/Cream

Yellow = Pineapple

Pink = Cherry

Green = Strawberry

Purple = Grape

Orange = Orange

Anyway, I wanted to get information from Sarah and Liz Dee at Smarties on things I didn't see on the website. I feel honored to have had a Skype interview with them. I asked 3 questions and received thoughtful and honest answers. {Psst...hop over and give Ellen a visit as well for even more questions/answers.}

Question #1: In the YouTube video interview I posted, Eddie Dee spoke of the family continuing to take the business to the next plateau. What does the "next plateau" look like for the generations who currently run the company?

Answer: It's really important to them that they stay true to their roots, stay competitively priced, and continue to offer customers a consistent and quality product. Smarties is a brand unto itself, it isn't owned by a bigger corporation. Given that it's an anomaly in the business world, the current generations want to see the company continuing to thrive by breathing fresh life into the business.

Part of the way they're working to stay true to their roots is by continuing to make everything in their own factories. They won't outsource work in order to save money which is great but it makes it difficult to stay competitively priced. However, they choose this because of YOU, the customer. Smarties is a great nostalgia candy and they want you to have what you remember and love exactly the way it was when you started enjoying the candy tablets.

Also, they want YOU to know that the company is alive and well and want to hear from YOU. Whether you choose to email, reach out to them on twitter, or post something on their facebook wall, they want to know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, etc.

Question #2: How does Smarties approach the new "health culture" with a candy product? {also included talk of being "green" with this question}

Answer: The wonderful thing about Smarties is that they never have to pretend they're making anything other than a fun treat to enjoy. Candy is what it is. The Smarties brand is very health conscious, though. This was the reasoning behind choosing pastel colors for the candies. When Smarties were first created, its makers didn't want to include an overload of dyes as they felt it took away from the taste of the candy. Today, Smarties is proud to say their candy isn't smothered by the dyes parents are concerned about. The Smarties owners are also aware of natural dyes on the horizon but for now those are surrounded by legislation that make it difficult and expensive for them to incorporate in their candies.

As for using packaging made from recycled items, Smarties has a certain demand of its buyers and sellers. Currently, the packaging we all remember and love is what is in demand. Using a different type of packaging would also increase the price of the product and that would effect them negatively from both the people who buy the candy and the stores who sell it. This is something that may change with time, but for now they want to remain consistent in price and quality for their customers.

Question #3: In Your F.A.Q. you talk about working mostly with the charities in the New Jersey area {close to home for the factory}. Are there any charities in particular that you prefer to partner with?

Answer: There currently isn't one, big charity that they partner with but that's something that they want to look into for the future. They currently enjoy working with local schools in support of kids eating and aspiring to be "Smarties". Some examples of fun campaigns they've worked on are "Smarties vote" and "Smarties read".

Conclusion:

Liz and Sarah were sweet and wonderful to talk with. They stated in our chat that Smarties is a family run company with a family feel for all who work there whether they're related or not. I can say after a short talk with them, even I felt like I was included in that family right away and had my brand loyalty reaffirmed by that time with them. I still want to go make candy with them {lol Can you blame me?} but if that never happens, I know that this small blog, its readers, and every Smarties fan matters to them. Knowing their heart and loyalty to the people who love Smarties is more than just "sweet talk" is enough to keep me buying and recommending the brand for years and years to come.

**MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED FOR A GIVEAWAY FROM SMARTIES TO YOU!**



*Photo credit* All pictures of Smarties came to me via Jenn's Pinterest wall with permission to use them in this post.

**That's right. #IamASmartie!! This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions of the item mentioned. Others may have a different experience or opinion.

Who's A Smartie Now? {An Interview With Smarties} #IamASmartie

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OK, so, check it out. A blog I just started reading recently got involved in this event and I thought it looked like fun. I'm all for getting to know other bloggers and this seems like a really fun way to do that. Click the banner at the top of this post if you'd like to find out more on how you can play along too! :)



Here are the interview questions so you can learn more about me:

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why? 
*I love 1:00 pm-ish. :) It's the time of day that both of my lovely children are taking a nap. I take this time to recharge my batteries and get things done.
2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?
* Cheesecake. I could live off cheesecake. It comes in many different flavors so I could change it up as much as I like. Can I add coffee to that? Cheesecake and coffee would be my diet for life. LOL3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?
* I would wish for an all expense paid trip to each and every state park in the country where I would do nothing but enjoy the scenery and take photos. Sounds fantastic, right?
4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?
* I've always been picked on for being the shortest in my family. No worries, though. The view from here is just fine. :)5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?
*I would spend my life in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and eat chocolate with Oompa Loompas.
6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?
*I'd love to be a professional photographer and have a children's photography business.7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?
*I would go on a European tour for an entire summer. *Bliss!*
8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?
*I would love to sing gospel music. I just love the soul in it. 9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?
*I would have to say Macy's. Then I can get a ton of things for myself and my home...and a little something for the others who live in my house. ;)
10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?
*Hmmm...I really like the modern convenience of living in the time I do now. Medicine is nearly miraculous and technology is so great. I'm not sure I would want to permanently change that.11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?

*
12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?(Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey)
*I've always loved Dopey. LOL Maybe that's the blonde in me talking...13. What's the last album you listened to?
*Sara Groves ~ Fireflies & Songs
14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?
*I wish I could dye my hair tonight...I love to dye my hair and it's been a Loooooooooooong time since I've done that.

32nd Street Blog Carnival ~ This is Me!

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The 2nd and final season of Samantha Who? was released last Tuesday, August 25th. Luckily, I was sent the season for review and could not wait to pop it in to my DVD player. 

I was a huge fan of Samantha Who? during its first season. I watched it every week. When the 2nd season came on, I made every attempt to watch it but it seemed like it either collided with something else that was on or I was already in bed since I’m pregnant and tired.

Christina Applegate is funny and charming in this series. I found myself really rooting for her character, Samantha. Then of course, her co-stars are wonderful and funny. Jennifer Esposito (of “Crash”) and Melissa McCarthy (of “Gilmore Girls”) are Christina’s sidekicks and their chemistry is great. You would think they’ve been friends forever.

The basic plot of the story is Samantha gets hit by a car and has amnesia. She struggles to remember who she was before the accident. When she learns the kind of person she was, she calls that part of her “bad Samantha” and tries her hardest to change and be a better person.

I would suggest this series to anyone who loves “chick flicks”, love stories, comedies, and drama. You’ll find it all in this show.

Here is a bit of an interview with Christina Applegate about the show and her battle with breast cancer.

Is it fun to play a mean girl like Samantha Newly?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: It definitely is fun to play a mean girl. Samantha gets away with so much because of her confidence and the way she looks. I get very exhausted playing her because she has so many different sides to her character, but it's also very fun. I really enjoy working on the show.

How are things changing for Samantha in the second season?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: The first season explored the idea of someone trying to find out who she really was. We take our past, our history and our experiences with us wherever we go, but this character didn’t know anything about her life before the accident. She had a lot of exploring to do in the first season – but now she's two years old. She's had enough experiences to see what her interests are on the surface level, but we delve a little deeper in season two.

What does Samantha discover in season two?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: We look into how she feels about love. We also look into what kind of friendships and career she wants. There are also parts of her that are now becoming a little jaded, too. It’s a very interesting and fun season.

What happens to Samantha’s love life?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: During the second season, her love life is going in many different directions – but that's part of her trying to figure out who she is. She is trying to work out which person she wants and not which person is best for her because of what someone else says. Who’s that person? I don’t know. Todd is always there. There's so much comfort in her relationship with Todd, but I guess we’ll have to see what happens.

The show is very funny… How often do you crack up and laugh in the middle of a scene?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I try not to laugh. I try to stay as professional as I possibly can – but sometimes you can't help it. Melissa McCarthy [who plays Dena on the show] is a very funny person and there are things that she does that tickle me, so I've definitely been known to lose it and ruin her takes. I try not to, though.

Are you envious of the way Samantha can reinvent herself?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: Definitely. You get to say, "I wasn't there." You get away with a lot. Who wouldn’t be envious of that?

Do you think viewers of the show would like the chance to reinvent themselves?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: Definitely – and I honestly think you can do it if you want to do it. Scientists say that you shed your skin every day, so you are literally brand new every morning. You have the opportunity to change your life right now because the past is gone and every day is a new day. The future doesn't exist and it's only what we have right now that's tangible. Saying that, I don't think I'd want to be someone with retrograde amnesia because that's very frightening. It's a very scary place to be.

How important has your relationship with your mother – another survivor of breast cancer – been during this time?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: She's been wonderful. I don’t want to talk about this too much, but when you go through something like this, the people that you need around you the most are the ones who have been through it. As much as everybody else in my life has been fantastic, they'll never get what it feels like. They will never fully understand that.

We talk about Samantha always learning things about herself, but what have you personally learned about yourself in the last year?

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: I've always been a ‘push-through’ kind of person and this has become more apparent to me recently. It’s in my nature. I broke my foot a couple years on Broadway and I pushed through. I never think anything is going to take me down, so it was natural for me to push through and continue working and doing what I love to do when I faced this new challenge. I’m happy I’m a ‘push-through’ kind of person – and I’ll continue to push through.

Samantha Who? 2nd Season on DVD!!

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Hello!

I just wanted to let you all know that my blog has been featured on An Island Review. This is such an honor for me and I'm very excited.
Please swing over there by clicking the link above to read the interview and show some comment love. Thanks!

I've been featured!

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Recently, my family and I visited the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky, OH. If you would like to read about our stay, click the highlighted words above. 

I want to share with you an interview with the location's General Manager, Matt Lawrence:

Hello, Matt.

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for myself and my readers. 

My family is so excited to be staying at Great Wolf but I noticed some hotels in the area very similar in their design and amenities. What does Great Wolf offer its guests above the competition?
ML:  No one can really compete with the level of guest service and attentiveness we offer our guests.  We reserve our waterpark facilities exclusively for the registered guests of the resort.  Because of that, we’re constantly hearing from our guests how much they appreciate the shorter lines and the safe atmosphere that the exclusivity provides.
ML:  We’re competitive in our markets, and actually provide quite a value when you consider the amenities and other offerings at Great Wolf Lodge.  For the price of a room, guests receive waterpark admission the day of arrival and the day of departure, nightly story time in the Grand Lobby, fun activities in Cub Club and more. 

I love all the different activities you offer for the families who stay here. With so many options, I’m sure a child wanders off from time to time without telling their parent or guardian. What type of security and/or procedures do you have in place should something like this happen?
ML:  Any family and child should feel safe while staying with us.  All of our Pack Members are trained to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to assist should a child (or a parent) becomes lost.  As mentioned earlier, our resort is exclusive to our guests, so our facilities never become overcrowded. Finally, we do provide security and have all exterior doors locked 24 hours per day.

I’ve noticed all the different places to eat here at Great Wolf Lodge. Which is your favorite and what item from the menu would you suggest?
ML:  The combination of the ambiance and all-you-can-eat breakfast including made-to-order omelets and waffles, in Lumber Jack’s Cook Shanty is my favorite.  Our Bear Paw Sweets & Eats is also at the top of my list when I truly want to indulge in our homemade fudge. 

I see you offer conference rooms for businesses to use. What is special about this for the businesses that use this option? Why is this helpful for the Great Wolf Lodge?
ML:  We see an increase in bookings during school holidays and weekends, but our weekday business is growing through our focus on attracting group sales business.  Combining a meeting and conference venue with a full-service resort allows event or meeting attendees to mix business with pleasure.  The ability to bring the family along and extend a trip into a min-vacation is an attractive option that many other types of hotels or event space aren’t able to offer – especially under one roof. 

What do you hope families take away from their stay at Great Wolf?
ML:  We’re fond of saying that there’s no time like a Great Wolf time, and it’s the unique, extra amenities we offer that truly create the Great Wolf experience.  Things like our animatronic Great Clock Tower show and nightly pajama story time in our Grand Lobby are things that you can’t find anywhere else. 

What do you enjoy most about managing this Great Wolf Lodge location?
ML:  My favorite part about managing Great Wolf Lodge is when families check-in and I see the excited expression on children’s faces as they look out the enormous window to the waterpark.  Our mission is, to create family traditions one family at a time, and I truly enjoy seeing families have a memorable experience.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to stay here and experience the Great Wolf Lodge with my family. I’m hoping that this is something we’re able to do every year.
ML:  We’re happy to have you and your family staying with us and hope to see you again!

I would also like to tell you about Project Green Wolf.  Great Wolf Lodge is the very first brand of hotels to be Green Seal Certified. How did they accomplish this?

*The following is taken from their official press release*

• Management of Fresh Water Resources

Water conservation programs include guest linen recycling; laundry facilities that recycle most of the consumed water; low-flow showers, toilets, and faucets; and waterless urinals. Additionally, by using the latest in pool filtration technology, most of the water in the waterparks can be recycled.

• Waste Minimization, Recycling and Reuse

Recycling bins are available in all public areas, guest rooms and employee areas. When possible, Great Wolf Lodge works with local waste specialists to compost food waste and donate unused food items to local charities.

• Energy Efficiency

Throughout the resorts, Great Wolf Lodge uses energy-efficient bulbs, highly efficient heating and ventilation equipment, and Energy Star appliances.

• Environmentally and Socially Sensitive Purchasing

Great Wolf Lodge’s purchasing partners are held accountable to ensure that every item ordered is environmentally sensitive. All paper products are post-consumer recycled, dishwashing and laundry detergents are biodegradable, and paint is low VOC.

• Guest Education

Great Wolf Lodge focuses on family, so it’s only natural Project Green Wolf would include children’s environmental learning programs, developed in partnership with National Geographic Kids. There are active learning areas, a Green Wolf TV in-room channel, and interactive Web content, all dedicated to teaching kids how to be kind to the environment.  

So now, you know even MORE about the Great Wolf Lodge and hope you find even more reasons to visit with your family.

Great Wolf Lodge ~ My Review Stay (follow up)

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