Category: Favorite Things

Fa La La La Favorites!

Connor and I went to Christkindl this year and it was so much fun!  We met our local radio gal Kellie Rasberry and she was super nice!  This was our 4th year to attend Christkindl in Arlington, TX and if you are making holiday plans I highly recommend going.  It’s free to get in and it’s so much fun.  They really amped it up this year with rides for the kids, gingerbread house building, and real snow 🙂

Here’s our holiday “catch up” if you will…I’ll update more on Christmas soon!
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German macaroni and cheese aka Spaetzle

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s’mores crepes #yum

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We went to Bridget’s 6th birthday party!  Connor’s first time roller skating….we love this girl <3

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One of my absolute favorite things this year was our new tree skirt from PersonalCreations.  It has our last name on it and it’s great quality.  This is the sort of thing I can pass down to Connor’s family in the future.  They are having a huge end of year sale right now and use code SRCH10OFF to get 10% Off and Free Personalization!

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I got a new camera strap from Foto Strap and absolutely LOVE it!  It has my new logo on it too!  I’m planning on posting some of my favorite shots from the holiday season soon.

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A few weeks ago I got to meet these two awesome folks.  Jillian Harris and Todd Talbot from HGTV’s Love it or List it, Too.  I’ve always been a big fan of the show.  They were in DFW doing a promo event for Capital One Home Loans and it was so much fun to chat with them for a bit.  The nicest hosts you guys…super sweet!  I asked Todd if he could help me find a home…sigh…I can only hope.

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Hope you all had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Minions Movie Fun! #peepsholiday

PEEPS® and PEEPS & COMPANY® provided me with information, samples, & a discount code in exchange for this post.

Who doesn’t love a Minion?  I do…they are so cute and remind me of a Twinkie.  All they want is to be wanted.  Our family loved the Despicable Me movies and we were so excited to FINALLY get the chance to watch the Minions movie!

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We had Alek, Connor’s BFF over the other day and I popped some popcorn and broke out all things Minions for the boys to enjoy the movie 🙂

The Minions movie was just released on December 8th and it would be a great gift or stocking stuffer if you have kiddos in your family.  Special thank you to PEEPS® – we got to watch the movie in style.

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Are these not the cutest EVER???

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PEEPS® thank you for making this little boy’s day!  He has everything he needs to enjoy a POPPIN & PEEPIN PARTY!
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Want a chance to win everything shown here?  Just comment and I’ll choose a winner on Monday, December 21st!

INCLUDING:

  • PEEPS® Large Banana Crème Flavored Minion: PEEPS® introduces a new banana crème flavored marshmallow in honor of the beloved Minions characters. Three varieties of the individually packed large Minions include the likeness of Kevin, Stuart and Bob – stars of the Minions movie available on DVD this holiday season.
  • PEEPS® Marshmallow Minions: To honor the PEEPS® Minions taste testers, for the first time ever PEEPS® has created a Minion-shaped marshmallow reflecting their fun PEEPSONALITY®. Fans can also enjoy limited edition comics on the back of the packaging made exclusively for PEEPS® by Universal Studios filmmakers.
  • MIKE AND IKE® Minions Mix: In honor of the success of the Despicable Me movie franchise and holiday DVD release, MIKE AND IKE® has debuted a limited time only offering of MIKE AND IKE® MINION MIX.  This fun variety comes with three different designs on pack – making them a collectable item for every Minion lover. Made with real fruit juice, fans will enjoy the sweet and tasty goodness of Blue Raspberry and Banana flavors.
  • PEEPS® Pillow: Add a dash of incredibly comfy color to your movie night with this PEEPS® Chick pillow, featuring vivid blocks designed with your favorite Marshmallow Chick as the star of the show.
  • PEEPS® Blanket: You’ll love cuddling up with your family with this super-soft Peeps® Bunny Fleece Throw Blanket.
  • PEEPS® Tumbler: Bring a PEEPS® clear, single wall, spring tumbler that suits your PEEPSONALITY® and can hold a drink to wash down all that popcorn.

Follow PEEPS & COMPANY® on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for more fun!

You can also use this discount coad for 20% off your next purchase, no minimum required, from now through Thursday, December 31.

Discount code: SWEETINGS15

MERRY MINION CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

 

Start Your Morning with NEW McCafé packaged coffee! #McCafeAtHome #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for McCafé packaged coffee. I received product samples as well as a monetary promotional incentive to thank me for my participation.
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Exciting news people!!!  Coffee lovers you can now enjoy McCafé coffee (just like you get from McDonald’s) at HOME!

McCafé packaged coffee is made from 100% Arabica coffee.  It’s delish…I tried the espresso roast and it was so yummy.  I prefer a dark roast, but they also have a great breakfast blend.  Terence likes the Breakfast Blend…different strokes for different folks.  That’s what flavor choices are all about right?

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During the holidays everything is go, go, go!!!  I know I need a boost during the day…maybe a few times a day.  You all know my favorite way to amp up my day is with a cup of coffee 🙂  Growing up my Mom took us to McDonald’s as a treat, it’s always been a special place for us & so many families.  I was excited when they started making coffee in the restaurants, and now I am even MORE excited I can find it in the stores.

Connor knows his Mama starts off each day with a cup of coffee.  He loves the smell of coffee…wake up your kiddos people.  Ha ha! On our way to school listening to Christmas music 🙂 “Fa…la…la…la…la..la…”

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McCafé packaged coffee can be enjoyed by using K-Cup McCafé coffee, ground coffee, or whole bean varieties. McCafé packaged coffee comes in seven varieties at your local grocery store, such as Premium Roast, French Roast, Breakfast Blend and Colombian, and different flavors, such as French Vanilla and Hazelnut.

It’s the perfect way to start the day or unwind in front of the fire and watch a movie.  I’m so excited I can now find my favorite McDonald’s coffee in the store.  Yippeeeee!!!!

What flavor of coffee do you like?  Are you excited to get McCafé packaged coffee in the grocery store too?

We have a long trip home this weekend for the holidays & you better believe there will be coffee all the way home.

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Follow along for the latest and greatest on McDonald’s website & Twitter.

Thanksgiving 2015

I know…I know…

I’m behind on catching up again.  Here we are almost to Christmas, but I didn’t want to forget to recap our Thanksgiving either.  I’ve been busy with work and photo shoots.  I’ll do a post soon with some of my favorite shots this fall.

We spent Thanksgiving with Terence’s family this year at his brother Paul’s house & ate ourselves silly!  I put some fun Christmas lights on our balcony and decorated our tree!  Early Thanksgiving morning we went to the park and took some family photos with our new friends that just moved here from New York, they have a son the same age as Connor and they just LOVE each other.  It’s Star Wars all day every day in their minds 🙂

These aren’t our Christmas card photos, a few outtakes.  Since we moved I’ve been trying to update everyone with our new address.  If you would like a card from us please email me at beckylbranch@gmail.com and I’ll send it to you!

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Terence and I got new cell phones right before black Friday.  Yay!  Ours were a few years old and I’m excited to have an updated phone with a better camera.

Connor and I ventured out for a tiny bit of Black Friday shopping.  We went to World Market.  The store we visited is moving so everything on the floor was on sale.  I got a $150 beautiful bar stool for $25 bucks!  I talked to the store manager and he let me have it for a steal 🙂

Did y’all find anything fabulous for Black Friday?

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I also went to a cookie decorating class my friend Bree was hosting.  It was so much fun!  I’ve always been intimidated by using fondant….but we had a great time just talking and decorating cookies.  I definitely want to try this again soon!

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I hope you all are enjoying this season.  It’s definitely my favorite and I get sooooo excited this time of year!  I can’t wait to go home and visit my friends and family in Arkansas.  I’m counting down the days!  My DVR is full of Hallmark Christmas movies….I know they are so cheesy, but I still can’t help but indulge in the cheesy romance of each story.  Ha ha!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Making the Most of Christmas with #Hallmark

This post is sponsored by Hallmark but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #ad

Christmas time is here * Happiness and cheer * Fun for all that children call * Their favorite time of the year*

I love everything that comes with the Christmas season.  Gathering with family and friends, a visit with Santa, shopping for gifts, and Christmas cards in the mail.  One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays is Hallmark.  They have the cutest gifts and the best stocking stuffers.  From candles, soaps, fluffy socks, stuffed animals, and candy galore….they have it all!

Have you checked out all the Star Wars stuff Hallmark has lately?  Let me just say we have a certain 5-year-old who is counting down the days until the Star Wars movie premier.  It’s everything Star Wars for this kiddo this Christmas.

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Cute little Christmas Yoda, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper.  The Star Wars wrapping paper is also available at Hallmark stores.

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If you searching for a gift for a co-worker or friend the Crafters & Co. gifts at Hallmark are perfect!  Everything from chocolates, artisan-made hand soaps, tea, and candles.  Just a little something extra to show someone you care.

Being a photographer I’m always looking for fun photo backdrops. One of my favorite things to do (and easiest) is to take wrapping paper and hang it behind my subject in a picture.   Nothing fancy…it just makes for a really cute photo!

I got this candy cane wrapping paper at Hallmark, I love their wrapping paper by the way because it’s not the thin, flimsy paper.  It holds up well to folding and taping 🙂

My photo backdrop:

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My handsome subject:

(The reindeer hat and mittens are also a Hallmark find!  Soooo cute and only $9.99 for the set)

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I hope you all have fun shopping, decorating, and gathering this Christmas!

Check out our video below for a sneak peek of all the fun holiday goodies at Hallmark this year.

Friday Favorites + Enter to win Velvet Eyewear!

The blog has been put on the back burner lately…I’ve been booked every weekend with photo shoots.  Thankfully booked!  I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.  Maybe it’s because all the changes we’ve had, but seriously I cannot believe it’s almost Christmas.

Hopefully next year we’ll have a house to decorate again.  It is sort of freeing not to take everything out this year.  (Remind me I said that next year) In the mean time I found a tree at Target for $20 bucks and I’m just as happy as a clam with it!  Connor and I decorated it this week.

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I found some Buddy the Elf stickers at Target too.  It’s one of our favorite movies.  My friend Sarah makes the cutest Buddy the Elf shirts for the holiday season for kids.  Check them out HERE.

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My favorite Aromatique candle of all time was Amaretto Nog.  They don’t make it very much anymore….but this year I found a new scent that is surprisingly similar called “Winterberry” and I LOVE it too!  Smells soooo good!

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And last, but not least favorite of the week are my new Velvet Eyewear Sunglasses.

Velvet Eyewear has some of the most stylish shades.  Check them out HERE.  What makes them so special?

Velvet® Lenses – Block in Beauty

The Velvet®  {BB} Lens™ is an exclusive sunglass lens that is formulated with specific attributes that block out 100% of harmful UV rays, and reduce heat and eye strain. Velvet’s {BB} Lens™ Sunglass Protection helps prevent crow’s feet, fine lines, and the effects of aging in and around the eyes caused by the environment. When worn regularly, the Velvet {BB} Lens™ can slow down the signs of aging and Block in Beauty.

I’ve been wearing these beauties all week and they are super chic and comfortable.  I’m sure a lot of your girlfriends would love a pair for Christmas this year **HINT…**HINT**

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I love Velvet Eyewear so much I’m excited to give away one pair to a The Java Mama reader!

ENTER TO WIN BELOW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Klondike Fall Treats #KlondikeVariety #IC

This post was sponsored by Klondike as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

It’s fall and football season is officially in session.  We are big TCU fans in our house.  Every weekend our Saturdays seems to revolve around the big game.  It’s so much more fun to have people over and watch sports than watching alone right?  Gathering, talking, and eating our favorite snacks and sweets.  One of my favorite treats to serve guests in Klondike bars.  Each sweet snack is individually wrapped and easy to share and serve!

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Let me introduce you to my little friends : The Klondike Bars.  Klondike has 12 varieties of yummy chocolate covered bars and candy filled treats!   My absolute favorite is the new Cookie Dough Swirl!  It’s just like the classic Klondike bar, but with layers of cookie dough mixed in…YUM.  Not to mention there are 2 extra snacks in the package 🙂

The OREO is one of my favorites too.  Mixing OREOS with ice cream???  Yes please.

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Look at my future little football player…isn’t he precious!

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Connor’s favorite is the Klondike Mrs. Fields sandwiches.  Chocolate chip cookies sandwiches with vanilla ice cream.  That’s a happy kiddo!  He’s growing up way to fast I tell ya.  I can’t stand it….soon we’ll be watching him in the stands (maybe if that’s what he’s into).  Of course by then I might need 3 boxes of these because boys eat a TON!               

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Also, the Klondike Kandy bars are AMAZING ya’ll!  If you haven’t tried these you are missing out.  The Cookies & Cream bars are sooooo good!  I’m in a mint mood with Christmas coming up, so the Mint Fudge Cookie bars sound so good right now.

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What are your favorite treats to serve during the season?  

Sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and relax this time of year and not have to worry about cooking…especially “what’s for dessert?”.  I guarantee your guests will enjoy a Klondike treat just as much, and you’ll get to spend more time with your friends and family too!

Now that’s what I call a WIN=WIN.

For more information about Klondike visit Klondike on Facebook and on Twitter