Monte the Lion’s Children’s Holiday Tea

PhotobucketWhile my family is still young, my husband and I are trying hard to form some lasting holiday traditions that we will carry on for years to come.  One thing I have begun is taking my oldest daughter to a holiday tea with my Mom.  This year, we chose the Monte the Lion’s Children’s Holiday Tea at the Hotel Monteleone.  About the event:

Some of the season’s favorite Christmas characters including, Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s elves, will all be in attendance sharing in the festivities. Mrs. Claus will be reading classic Christmas tales and a trumpeter will lead special guests in a musical parade. Savory treats, games and caroling will fill the air with joy. Monte the Lion will close the day by presenting each of his new friends with a Monte stuffed animal.”

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When we arrived the hotel, my daughter was in awe of the gorgeous tree in the lobby (and I was speechless, too!).  We quickly made our way to the banquet room and took a picture with Monte the Lion and a few of Santa’s elves.  We were escorted to our beautifully decorated table and almost instantly, we were served tea, milk or coffee.  The food was presented on beautiful trays and was truely a work of art in itself. 

After we ate, my daughter got the chance to make her own cupcake (nothing says Christmas like gummy worms on a buttercream cupcake, right?).  While Santa was available for pictures ($10), Mrs. Claus led the kids in a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” followed by some fun reindeer games including Bingo and Rudolph Says. 

We had an amazing time and I beleive we created some wonderful holiday memories.  Everyone in my party agreed that the event was very child friendly (they even served peanut butter and jelly wraps and pizza for the kids!).  We would definitely consider attening again next year!

If you are looking to start a holiday tradition with your kids, there is another seating of Monte the Lion’s Children’s Holiday Tea on December 18th at both 10:00am and 2:00pm.  Tickets can be purchased for $36 for kids and $49 for adults.

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  Tickets for the holiday tea were purchased by me at a discounted rate.  All opinions are 100% mine and I was not otherwise compensated for this post.

Clorox Toilet Bowl in New Orleans! {Giveaway}

Here in New Orleans, we bleed Black and Gold.  I’m not kidding.  Saints football is like a religion to most New Orleanians, and my family is no exception.  For years, the Saints were the Aints and although we were tired of being at the bottom, we supported our boys and cheered them on.  But, earlier this year, everything changed.  The New Orleans Saints are now the SUPERBOWL CHAMPION New Orleans Saints.

This Thanksgiving, Saints fans get a special treat!  Our team will be playing on Thanksgiving Day!  Many fans will trade in the traditional turkey dinners for tailgating food and popcorn.  So, it’s only fitting that the first ever Clorox Toilet Bowl will be played right here in New Orleans!

From the SuperBowl to the ToiletBowl?  Just hear me out….I have a point!

Many families across America partake in a friendly (or mostly friendly) games of touch football.  This year, Clorox is inviting two families to travel to New Orleans and play the game in the official ToiletBowl!  Each finalist, will be able to select nine teammates to travel to New Orleans for a 3 day, 2 night vacation in the Big Easy.  And the best part?  The former pro quarterback (and The Bachelor star) Jesse Palmer will coach the families!

So how do you enter this fabulous contest?

  • Tell Clorox in 100 words or less why your team should play in the Clorox® Toilet BowlTM. Describe your family tradition; your game if you have one and if not, how you experience the bowl season.
  • 2. Upload a photo. Upload a photo of yourself either alone or with family and/or friends that displays your family-friendly football tradition.
  • 3. Pick a mascot. Make it distinct, memorable and worthy of the throne.
  • 4. Choose your colors. Porcelain White or Crystal Blue? Your Toilet BowlTM colors are up to you.
  • 5. Rally your fans. Gain support by sharing the position you think your friends and family were destined to play.

GIVEAWAY

To get you all excited about the Clorox ToiletBowl (I mean, who wouldn’t be excited, right?),  Clorox would like to give one of my readers their very own Clorox Toilet Wand and pink branded football!

How to enter:

1. Tell me your favorite NFL team!  Who are you pulling for each Sunday!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @Clorox on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Clorox ToiletBowl on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 1st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Clorox and received a gift code, toilet wand and football to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Birthday Party Venues in New Orleans

As a Mom of two young daughters, I am constantly on the lookout for places to have unique and fun birthday parties!  I am beginning to look at options for my almost 6 year old daughter, so I thought I would share with you the list I have generated over the years!

Birthday Party Ideas in the New Orleans Metro Area

Charmed:  Tea Parties, Slumber Parties and Etiquette Classes!

Monkey Room:  We had my daughter’s 3rd birthday party here!  Lots of active play on an indoor playground!

Colonial Club Lanes:  We recently attended a birthday party here for a 6 year old boy.  All of the kids had a great time bumper bowling, eating pizza and dancing to the music!

Storyland:  Get immersed in a fairy tale at this fun outdoor venue!

Build a Bear:  Have your party guests create a loveable stuffed friend to take home!  Located in Lakeside Mall.

Chuck E Cheese:  Games, Arcade, Pizza and Fun!

The Kupcake Factory:  Who doesn’t love making (and eating!) cupcakes??

Equest Farm:  If you have a child who adores horses, how about teaching the party guests to ride?

BooKoo Bounce:  Let your kids jump their hearts out at this inflatable venue!

Lasertag Adventure Quest: Great venue for active play! I actually played lasertag myself a few years back, and was completely out of breath by the end! LOL!

New Orleans City Park Carousel Gardens:  If your child likes amusement park rides, this is the venue for you!  Carousel, roller coaster, bumper cars and more!  We have been to many parties here and my daughters had a blast.

Party Like a Rockstar: Let your guests make their very own music video!

Sip and Paint:  Budding artist?  Each guest gets to paint a special creation to take home!

Kids Sport:  This venue has it all!  Swim, gymnastics, inflatables, arcade!

Kids Party Adventures:  Great venue for co-ed parties!  Many party themes to choose from.

Audubon Zoo: Air-conditioned rooms available next to a gorgeous carousel. My girls love the Zoo!

Airline Skate Center:  I actually had one of my own birthday parties here (ages ago!).  Venue is tons of fun for an older child.

Insectarium:  While parties are not held at this venue, group rates are available and it is definitely worth the trip!

Children’s Museum: Hands-on activities that are educational AND fun! Reasonable party rates and private rooms available.

Carousel at Lafreniere Park:  Entire carousel and pavillion available for rental.  I had a party for my two year old here and it was a great success.  Playground next to carousel for even more fun!

Bounce Spectrum:  Jump, Jump and Slide!  My kids love attending parties here!  Large rooms available for cake and ice cream.

AMC Movie Theater: Great idea for tween/teen parties!

My daughter at Creole Creamery

Creole Creamery: I am in love with the ice cream from creole creamery.  I would have a birthday party for myself here!

Streetcar Party:  New Orleans streetcars are available to rent!  Hold your party as you take a scenic ride down St. Charles Ave.!

My Lil’ Tea Party:  Dress up, get your nails painted, and have a tea party! Great venue for little girls!

Body Art Day Spa:  Pamper your pre-teen with a manicure and pedicure!

Posh Paint: This venue lets you use your creative skills!  Paint some pottery or personalize a gift for Mom.  Summer camps available as well!

IMAX:  Be immersed in the latest IMAX movie!  Great venue for tweens/teens!

Ivanov’s Gymnastics:  Tumble, spin, leap and twirl at this gymnastics venue.

Children’s Castle at RiverTown:  Watch an entertaining puppet show!

Lil’s Country Critters (Northshore): Have your party on a farm!  Feed the chickens, goats and pigs.  Carousel available for rental as well.

Global Wildlife (Northshore):  Take your party on a safari ride and feed the giraffes right from your hand!

Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery (Northshore):  Take a bite out of your next birthday with the alligators!

Do you have more great party ideas in or around New Orleans?  Let me know and I will add thm to the list!

Nestle Family Summer Block Party: Day 3

Day 3 already?  The Nestle Family Summer Block Party is half over already!  Have you been entering all the great giveaways on all five blogs?

Obviously, by looking at my blog, you have realized by now that science is a major part of my life.  I love talking at career fairs and sharing the fun of science with those who may eventually venture into the field.  One of the places I love to take my kids for hands-on experiences is the Louisiana Children’s Museum located right here in New Orleans.  Who ever said New Orleans isn’t for kids?!?  With so many hands-off places for little ones in this world, it’s nice to take my girls to a place that is completely kid friendly, fun and educational.

With over 30,000 square feet and more than 100 interactive exhibits, my kids LOVE this place!  The girls love reading section, the supermarket, the pretend restaurant and of course the science exhibits!  This weekend, the Louisiana Children’s Museum is hosting “Fetch! Beach Science” on Saturday, July 17th from 11:00am-3:00pm. From the website:

Dive into the science of the beach.  Do an experiment in the Atrium to find out why you can float better in salt water.  Learn about the spirals of a sea shell and then create your own in Art Trek.  Discover sand writings and make a sand bottle.  Help measure the length of a blue whale in our architecture exhibit.”

Sounds like a great way to spend the weekend!  And it’s even air-conditioned…BONUS! :)

GIVEAWAY

Your reward for attending today’s block party? Another great prize pack from Nestle! Today’s package includes:

1 Shutterfly gift card, valued at $29.99 to catch all the great Summer Memories plus an assortment of coupons for FREE Nestle Family products including:

JUICY JUICE®, OVALTINE®, EDY’S®/DREYER’S®, CARNATION® Breakfast Essentials, WONKA®, STOUFFER’S®, NESQUIK®, TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough, TOLL HOUSE® Morsels, DRUMSTICK® Sundae Cones

How to enter:

1. Tell me how you beat the heat in the Summer?  Do you find air-conditioned activities for the family?

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and NESTLE FAMILY (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

7. Follow the other Block Party Hosts on Twitter and get 4 extra entries! (@OHMommy, @sarann, @ReneeJRoss, @247Moms)

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 21st. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

The Block Party is sponsored by Nestle Family. I was compensated for participating in this series, but all opinions remain 100% mine.

Win tickets to the Essence Festival from Tide! CLOSED

The winner of this giveaway, selected by random.org, was #4:  Maria!

Congrats!  You will receive an email shortly!

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of visiting the P&G Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio to meet with the great people at Tide.  Even before I began working with Tide, I was always a loyal customer, but after seeing first hand the wonderful work they have done with Loads of Hope, I am forever a Tide girl.  While taking classes at Fabric Care University, I had the opportunity to see first hand a new product in development, Tide with Acti-Lift.  Think you have a stain that’s beyond repair?  Think again!  You have GOT to see this product in action.

essenceThis weekend, July 2-4, Tide will be on hand at Essence Festival in New Orleans, LA.  In the Expo Hall, located in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, you will be able to witness first hand the power of Acti-Lift and have fun, too!  From the press release:

“To celebrate its current technology, Tide will create a booth that provides an interactive experience for attendees of the Essence Music Festival.  Booth visitors will be among the first to witness a live demo that reveals the technology behind Tide with Acti-Lift amidst live music, style advice, celebrity appearances, giveaways and more. Tide Loads of Hope ambassadors will be on-site to help raise awareness of the ongoing need for support in New Orleans and educate consumers about the program and ways in which people can get involved.

Booth activities open to the general public will include:

-       Meet celebrities such as Idris Elba, Chrisette Michele, local DJs and the industry’s leading fashion experts

-       Participate in live Know Your Style trivia challenges with the chance to win special concert tickets

-       Strut your stuff for a Cat Walk Challenge, to make a personal style statement and have your picture taken

-       Learn about Tide Loads of Hope – created in 2005 to help families affected by disaster

-       Receive samples of  Tide with Acti-Lift product”

Come on out and have fun!  You could win some great prizes and hang with the celebrities!

GIVEAWAY

janetWant more fun?  While the Expo Hall admission is free, Experimental Mommy has TWO tickets to the musical performances at Essence Festival in New Orleans at the Superdome for all three days!!  You can see musical acts including Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Monica, LL Cool J, Alicia Keys, Jill Scott and many more!!!

Because the concert starts THIS FRIDAY, this will be a lightening fast giveaway!  Enter now and enter often to win this incredible prize!!

GIVEAWAY

Is your mouth watering yet? Ice Box Bakery has generously donated one cookie dough prize pack to one lucky reader!

How to enter:

1. Visit Essence Music Festival and tell me which artist you are most looking forward to seeing!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Essence Music (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @EssenceMusic on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Essence Music Festival on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

6. Subscribe to my Feed.

Contest ends at 9:00pm CST on June 30th. Prizes not claimed in 24 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a different experience. Tide supplied me with two tickets as well, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Our Experience at NOLA’s Hotel Monteleone

This year, my husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding Anniversary. We came up with many ways to commemorate the event, but decided we would love to play tourist in our own hometown and have a romantic “Staycation!”  My husband and I both are New Orleans natives and know that there is definitely no shortage of historic hotels, delicious restaurants and toe-tapping music in this City.  Fortunately, the people at the Hotel Monteleone, a pet friendly, AAA Four Diamond Award winning hotel located directly in the French Quarter,  invited us to stay at their hotel and enjoy all of the wonderful things their hotel has to offer.

Background

IMG_1266Opening in 1886 with only 64 rooms, the hotel has since expanded to include 600 guestrooms and 5 suites as well as a spa, bar, restaurant and sky terrace with pool and jacuzzi.  Located on Royal and Iberville Streets, the Hotel Monteleone is the largest hotel in the French Quarter and remains one of the last family owned and operated hotels in the entire City.  The hotel is only eleven miles from Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) and within walking distance of some incredible restaurants, art galleries, antique shops and the famous Bourbon Street.  The Hotel Monteleone is not without it’s celebrity accolades!  Many stars have stayed at the hotel including Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemmingway and it has been featured in numerous films and television shows.

The hotel’s website boasts that their “guests don’t want to leave….and some never do.”  The Hotel Monteleone appears on many lists as one of New Orleans’ most haunted hotels.  In 2003, the International Society of Paranormal Research was able to establish contact with over a dozen spirits living at the hotel including several former employees and children who like to play hide and seek.  Boo!

Our Experience

My husband and I have walked past the Hotel Monteleone many, many times.  I have always admired the beautiful architecture and we have even gone in to admire the very unique carousel bar.  So, when we were given the opportunity to celebrate our 10th Anniversary in a guest suite, we could not wait!

Finding the hotel is very easy and valet parking is available for your convenience (as parking can be quite difficult in the French Quarter).  When we arrived, our room was waiting for us and we were given a key which also included a pull out map of the French Quarter.  Walking into our suite, we were both speechless!  The King size bed looked so comfy (the thought of a nap without kids sounded divine!) and the jacuzzi tub was incredibly inviting.  Our suite had two flat panel televisions, internet access, a chair with loveseat and one and a half bathrooms.  Our particular suite looked out onto Royal Street.

The staff was very friendly and even offered to take our picture on our way out to dinner.  We both loved that we had so many fabulous places to eat within walking distance of the hotel…it was really hard to choose where to go!  So, we picked two.  After dinner and dessert, we strolled hand-in-hand down Bourbon Street listening to the music in the air and just enjoying being together.  Back at the hotel, we were greeted with sparkling water and chocolate covered strawberries!

Outside our window, we were able to watch a street performing group and a second line celebrating a local wedding.  While we really enjoyed seeing the sights of Royal Street, if you are looking for a quiet room, I would suggest asking for one on a higher floor (we were on the 3rd floor) or one located away from Royal Street.  And my husband is also sad to report that we did not see any ghosts (although I am thrilled!).

Take a look at our pictures:

If you are looking for a beautiful hotel located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the Hotel Monteleone is a great pick!  The room was spacious, clean and comfortable.  The service was impeccable and the location just can’t be beat.  New Orleans has so much to offer not only couples, but families too, so check out the rates and availability today!  And don’t miss current promotions follow @HotelMonteleone on Twitter!

The opinions is this review are those of the Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a differing opinion.  The Hotel Monteleone graciously provided us with a complimentary room and parking, but all opinions remain 100% mine.

How to Peel a Crawfish: NOLA Style!

Are you planning a trip to New Orleans?  If you’re looking forward to visiting the “Big Easy,” chances are that you will encounter crawfish at just about every restaurant during your stay.  From crawfish etouffee to crawfish omelettes, these shellfish are everywhere!  While the crawfish may look like a miniature lobster, the only tools you need to eat them are your hands.  However, if you want to blend in with the locals, you gotta know how to peel ‘em! A few tips before we begin:

Tip #1:  Boiled crawfish are ordered by the pound.  They are called crawfish.  Asking your server for “mudbugs” or “crawdads” will be a dead giveaway that you are a tourist.

Tip #2:  Eating boiled crawfish can be quite messy.  Don’t wear white.

Tip #3:  Crawfish are spicy and are eaten with your hands.  Absolutely do not, I mean DO NOT touch your eyes while you are eating crawfish.  You will regret it!

Tip #4:  Don’t eat the dead ones.  I know you are confused and are thinking that there is NO WAY you are eating live crawfish!  But every New Orleanian knows that when selecting a crawfish to eat, you always skip over the “dead ones” which were already dead BEFORE boiling.  You can tell these “dead” crawfish because they have straight tails.  Throw ‘em out.

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Left: Bad; Right: Good

How to Peel:

IMG_1329Everyone has their own technique and tricks to peeling the perfect crawfish, but I will tell you how we do it in my family (demonstrated by my husband and my Dad in the following photos).  First, hold the head of the crawfish in your left hand, and the top of the tail in your right.  Twist the tail and pull it away from the head.  At this point, you may suck the head.  Yes, I said suck the head.  While I am not a fan, my 2 year old daughter LOVES to do this!

Discard the head and concentrate on the tail (where the meat is!).  Hold the bottom of the tail in your right hand, and the top of the tail in your left.  Twist your right hand and pull the tip of the tail away from the rest.  This should devein the tail (or as we call it, remove the poop line).  It should be noted that not everyone deveins their crawfish, but it is something I always do.  You may find a small amount of yellow substance on the meat which is the “fat.”  Once your crawfish tail is deveined, you can peel away the red outer shell and remove the meat.  Enjoy and repeat….alot!IMG_1332

If you are lucky enough to attend a crawfish boil while you are in town, the crawfish are generally eaten outside and accompanied by boiled potatoes, corn, celery, garlic, onions, sausage and just about anything else we can think of to throw into the pot!  Make sure you keep lots of iced tea, beer, water or other suitable liquid on hand as the crawfish and sides can be quite spicy!

While the main dish is quite tasty, it can be argued that the best part of the traditional crawfish boil is the company!  There is nothing more “New Orleans” than sitting around a table with your family and friends eating crawfish and sharing stories, jokes and memories.

Want to see how it works?  Check out my husband and Dad demonstrating two ways to eat boiled crawfish:

It’s Easter Time at Sucre New Orleans!

When Carnival ends in New Orleans, Lent begins.  Out with the King Cake and in with the seafood and chocolate bunnies!  In February, I was lucky enough to sample the heavenly King Cake from Sucre New Orleans (which I actually went back and ordered more) and now the generous Owners have allowed me to sink my teeth into some of their Easter samplings.

Before I tempt your taste buds, let me share a bit about Sucre New Orleans:  ”From breakfast to a midnight snack, Sucré is available to satisfy your sweet tooth. Sucré (French for sugared) is an emporium of “artisan” sweets. Unlike a traditional bakery, Sucré serves plated desserts with custom garnishes in addition to boxed treats.

sucreeasterSucre sent me a sample of their Spring for Chocolate Collection which included 6 caramel filled chocolate bunnies.  You may want to stop reading here if you are on a diet.  The following will be hard to resist! Sucre offers this collection in several sizes (6 piece, 15 piece and 21 piece boxes) and tempts you to, “Fill your Easter baskets with these melt-in-your-mouth festive bunnies! Rich dark chocolate with a smooth, creamy caramel filling adorned with pink luster.

When the bunnies arrived, they were packaged beautifully!  The presentation makes such a professional and tasteful presentation that would be appropriate for co-workers, teachers, and family alike.  Upon opening the box, my five year old daughter exclaimed, “They’re PINK!”  The chocolate bunnies had a pink sheen to them that just adds something extra special to the final product.  My husband, daughter and I immediately had to taste them and we were not disappointed.  The chocolate was delicious and the caramel was soft just the way I like it!  All three of us agreed that the bunnies were heavenly!

sucreticketChocolate bunnies are not the only thing Sucre has up it’s sleeve this season.  Looking for a fun Easter gift?  Check out the Sucre Surprise Egg! Each hollow milk chocolate egg ($17.00) has a surprise inside, but one contains the Golden Ticket!  The customer receiving the Golden Ticket will win a fun filled day at Sucre and will discover what it’s like to be a pastry chef at New Orleans’ Premiere Confectioner.

Don’t live in New Orleans?  No problem!  Sucre ships for a $9.95 flat fee or FREE SHIPPING on orders over $70!  To keep an eye on the latest Sucre news, make sure you follow them on Twitter and Facebook!  With my 10th wedding anniversary in a little over a month away, I have my eye on Sucre to help my husband and I celebrate!

Hoppy Easter!

Win a King Cake from Sucre New Orleans!

Neutral Ground.  Sidewalk side.  Poboy.  Make do do.  Suck the heads.  King Cake.

If these words are in your vocabulary, then you are probably a native New Orleanian.  I am proud to say that I have lived in the Big Easy for my entire life (35 years and counting) and have been fortunate enough to be surrounded with its rich culture and hospitable people.  New Orleans is in my blood and part of my soul and I have to remind myself that not everyone understands our “ways.”  Through my online life, I have met many new friends and it has been great fun to share my City and traditions with them.  With Mardi Gras approaching, it’s a great time to share another New Orleans tradition with you all…..the King Cake!  A little background:

sucrecake“As part of our Christian faith, the coming of the wise men bearing gifts to the Christ Child is celebrated twelve days after Christmas. We refer to this as the Feast of the Epiphany or Little Christmas on the Twelfth Night. This is a time of celebration, exchanging gifts and feasting. Today, the tradition continues as people all over the world gather for festive Twelfth Night celebrations. A popular custom was and still is the baking of a special cake in honor of the three kings called “A King’s Cake.”

Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party.

Originally, King Cakes were a simple ring of dough with a small amount of decoration. Today’s King Cakes are much more festive. After the rich Danish dough is braided and baked, the “baby” is inserted. The top of the ring or oval cake is then covered with delicious sugar toppings in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.”

From the time I was little, I can remember eating King Cake just about every Friday during Carnival, so as you can imagine, I have tried many, many King Cakes.  Some are better than others, but recently I was asked to try a sample of the King Cake from Sucre New Orleans.  A little about Sucre:

From breakfast to a midnight snack, Sucré is available to satisfy your sweet tooth. Sucré (French for sugared) is an emporium of “artisan” sweets. Unlike a traditional bakery, Sucré serves plated desserts with custom garnishes in addition to boxed treats.

When the King Cake arrived, it was packaged very well (saran wrapped in a cardboard box) which would make this an excellent cake to ship to family and friends.  My daughter inhaled her dinner in order to get to dessert….she could NOT wait to dive into the new King Cake (girl after my own heart).  When we opened the box……

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…..I was speechless.  The King Cake from Sucre was honestly the most BEAUTIFUL King Cake I have ever seen.  I know it sounds cliche, but I am serious!  The whole cake appeared gold in color with sparkling glitter creating the purple, green and gold sections like a traditional cake.  My daughter exclaimed that it looked like a “princess cake!”  It came packaged with three Mardi Gras beads to add to the excitement as well as a little card that described the King Cake as, “a ring of twisted, buttery dough sweetened with cinnamon and sugar and filled with a whipped cream cheese filling.

Following the directions, we heated the cake slightly and served what can only be described as pure heaven on a plate!  Honestly, this King Cake is one of the best I have ever eaten!  The cream cheese filling is very light and just makes the cake more moist then others I have tried.  The sugar is perfect and not overpowering.  And if that doesn’t say enough, I have already ordered another King Cake from Sucre!  Don’t live in New Orleans?  Don’t worry!  They ship nationwide for a flat $9.95 fee!

Sucre also offers a great selection of Valentine’s Day gifts for your loved one!  Check out the “I Love You” gift box!

Is your mouth watering yet?  Can you *almost* taste the King Cake?  Sucre has generously offered to share the spirit of Mardi Gras with one lucky Not-So-Blog reader who will receive their very own King Cake!!

How to enter:

1. Visit Sucre New Orleans and tell me what makes your mouth water?!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @SucreNewOrleans on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Sucre New Orleans on Facebook.

5. Place my blog banner on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on February 8th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This product review is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a different experience. Sucre New Orleans supplied me with a sample for review, but all opinions are 100% mine.