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.

The Best Way to #SpreadCheer is to Bake it for all to EAT!

This is my favorite time of year and I love to give the gift of yummy goodness to friends and family.  A favorite recipe that my Mom used to make is peanut butter blossoms.  It’s a peanut butter cookie with a Hershey Kiss in the middle.  They are so easy and sooooo good!

This year making my peanut butter blossoms was even easier because I had help from a good friend named Betty… Betty Crocker that is!  Found at your local Walmart store 🙂

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All you need is a package of Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix and some Hershey Kisses.  Sprinkles too…if you desire!

Connor helped me make the cookies.  He likes to stir the bowl and crack the eggs.  He’s also a pretty good chocolate peeler too 🙂

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And a fabulous chocolate topper!  I just love having my little elf in the kitchen and making memories.  That’s what life is all about right?

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We got some cute cookie tins and then shared with our friends.  If there was ever a time to #SpreadCheer it’s now y’all!

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Our favorite part is sharing with friends.  This is Connor’s best friend Alek in Kindergarten- they are both CRAZY about Star Wars.  Don’t mind their chocolate covered faces 🙂

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Add the perfect touch to your baked goods this season with FREE #SpreadCheer downloadable printables.  You can print gift tags & cookie coloring sheets.

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Download you coupon HERE & enter to WIN $20 Paypal cash to make your own #SpreadCheer goodies!

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The Process of Buying a Home: My Advice for You #CapitalOneHomeLoans

I remember when Terence and I bought our first home.  We bought it in late 2009 when the market was low and right before Connor was born.  I was so excited to finally be in a HOME.  After being in the military, living in several apartments, and even a 2 year stay with my in-laws….I was happy to have a place to call our own.

Our house was finalized in November and the first thing I wanted to do is put up a Christmas tree of course 🙂

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Fast forward about 5 years and now we are in the home buying boat again.  We sold our house in 2 days this past June and have been searching for a new house ever since.   To say the whole process has been daunting is an understatement.  We have put it 7-8 offers on homes & NOTHING.  The market has totally shifted right now and it’s been so hard to find a house y’all!  I’m the emotional one.  I start envisioning my furniture in there and decorating….only to not get the house and then I have a pity party. I know right?

Our last day in our old house, so many memories!

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I would tell any home buyer to be financially and emotionally prepared.  Don’t buy something you can’t afford, nobody wants to be house poor.  A home is what you make of it.  I didn’t envision us staying in our apartment for this long….but I know that God has a plan and hopefully come spring we will find the perfect house.

5 Things to Know Before Becoming a Homeowner

  1. Save, save, save!!!  Having a good down payment makes a big difference.
  2. Just because a house looks a certain way doesn’t mean you can’t change it.  Like that old wallpaper or avocado green oven in the kitchen.  Don’t let that deter you from buying a house you feel good about.
  3. Location is everything.  Like they always say…that’s the reason we moved.  Our child got older and we moved to get into a better school district.  You can’t change location, but can always change the house or decor.
  4. Get a thorough inspection before buying.  It’s so important because an inspector can see things you won’t & it could save you thousands in the future.
  5. Think about the future and where you want to be.  Is this a 5, 10, or 15 year home and what type of mortgage do you want?

Capital One Home Loans is a great place to start your research.  Capital One has launched a completely re-imagined, personal and digital home loans experience.  This new home loan experience allows customers to pre-qualify for a home loan in minutes from any device, apply online, upload documents and digitally track progress from application to closing. It also includes personalized service from a dedicated loan officer when a customer needs it.

The new tools allow customers to make adjustments (home price, down payment, mortgage type) to see how much they can afford – including estimated monthly payment and APR in real time.  This is one of many steps that Capital One is taking to deliver a next-generation banking experience and make the home loan process simply smarter for customers.
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To celebrate the launch of their new digital and personal experience, Capital One Home Loans is partnering with HGTV’s Love It or List It, Too (I love this show!) stars, Jillian Harris and Todd Talbot, to host a free and open-to-the public Open House event on Saturday, December 12 at the Stonebriar Centre mall in Frisco, TX.

During the event, they’ll share do-it-yourself tips and tricks for simplifying the entire home buying and owning process.

For more information, visit SmartHomeLoans.com

See if you qualify right now with the  Mortgage Loan Calculator

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

 

 

Take a Load Off With Massage Envy #BecauseMoment #IC

This post was sponsored by Massage Envy as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. 

This season has been so busy.  I love, love, love taking family Christmas pictures and the feeling that the Christmas season brings.  I love helping families create lasting memories even more.  The only thing I don’t like is the toll it takes on my body.

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Carrying around a heavy DSLR camera and huge lens just about does me in.  After a long day of shooting my neck and shoulders are so sore.  It’s hard to put yourself first & it’s easy to just let your body suffer.  Terence and I decided mid last year that we would both start getting massages to help with our overall health.  Because something I love to do should’nt hurt.

Massage Envy is a great place to visit to take care of all your aches and pains.  I truly believe good massages help you live longer!  Everyone in the world takes on daily stress and it effects our bodies, no matter what we are doing.

Getting a massage isn’t just for a holiday or a special occasion, it should be a part of your overall wellness routine.  When I leave a massage I feel like a whole new woman and I can’t tell you how much better I feel.  It’s like my body has just released all it was holding on to and now I can breathe again.

I want to be the best person I can be.  I want to do what I love.  Getting massages regularly helps me do that.  I take care of myself so I can do the best I can for others.  I’m a better wife, mom, and overall person.

And THAT makes me happy! 🙂

So I can help create moments like this…

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Keep up with the latest Massage Envy deals and steals on Facebook & Twitter.

Check out this video below, I know I can relate.

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.

Chocolate is My Love Language: Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe #SayMore #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you know me well or have been around me a decent amout of time you know my absolute LOVE for all things chocolate!  I recently tried the Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe chocolates and oh my gosh y’all!  Soooo good!  These KISSES are filled with whole roasted hazelnut, creamy layers and delicate crisps.

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Christmas is all about sharing love and spreading cheer.  What better way to say you care about someone than a box full of chocolates???

When I was growing up we would go to church on Sundays and my Dad would ask all the ladies if they wanted a “kiss“.  Of course they would smile and laugh at him…then sort of look at him like he was crazy!  Ha ha!  My Dad would smile back and place a Hershey’s KISS in their hand.  It tickled them and it made their day.  The looks on their faces was priceless when they realized it was a chocolate he was handing them 🙂

My Daddy is awesome like that.  He always thinks of everyone before himself.

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I look forward to the holiday season because of the feeling in the air and everyone just seems to be a little bit nicer.  People give more, do more, and say more.  These KISSES are twice the size of an original KISSES Chocolate.  More to love!  Ha ha!

I’m going to give someone a KISS this holiday….are you?

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Look at the hazelnut center.  I can’t wait to make someone’s day and make them feel special.

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Enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35

Contest opens on November 6, 2015 and closes December 14, 2015

Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Keep up with Hershey’s Kisses on Facebook & Twitter

This video touched my heart.  As Mom’s so many things we do go unnoticed and it’s so sweet what her kids did.  Melt my heart….literally.

How will you make someone’s day this holiday?

 

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

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