A Day Made for Lemonade

Connor and his cousin Ellie have wanted to do a lemonade stand since last summer.  Earlier this year I found this cute stand at Ikea for only $14.99!  I thought when the day came we could use it and the kids could finally have a lemonade day.

On Memorial day they finally got the chance to sell some lemonade.  Well, to a few people anyway.  They weren’t so much interested in selling it as they were drinking it 🙂

But it’s all about memories and fun right?  These two just adore each other and I’m glad we had a nice day to set up a fun little lemonade stand.

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CaringBridge #TheOther364

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CaringBridge. I received product a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #MC ”

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CaringBridge exists to connect people with their community of support in times of need. In anticipation of Father’s Day, CaringBridge created #theother364 campaign and needs your help!

They want help catching dads in action—not just on Father’s Day, but #theother364 days a year too—whether making breakfast, packing lunch, helping with homework, taking on light saber attacks, building awesome forts, or otherwise being great dads by:

  •  Take a quick (under 30 seconds) video of Dad doing an act your family appreciate

  • Submit your video here by May 29th, 2014 https://theother364.strutta.com/about

  • CaringBridge will select their favorites, and edit them together into a Father’s Day tribute to Dads — celebrating them on #TheOther364 days of the year in their announcement of the final video.

My M&M’s Wedding Creation #MC

“I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Millennial Central for MY M&M’S. I received product samples to facilitate my review and to thank me for my participation.”

When my sister was living in Vegas years ago one of the first places I wanted to go was the M&M store.  It was AMAZING!  You can find anything and everything M&M related and it’s like a rainbow exploded in there 🙂  In a good way!
I remember seeing how you could create your own custom M&M’S.  I have some friends who have had custom M&M’S made and been very happy with it.  My M&M’S is a great addition to a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or any celebration!
My twin sister, Bonnie, is getting married in less than a month.  I ordered some custom M&M’S in their wedding colors (Gold & Fuchsia) and added a picture of her and Vinny to one side of the M&M’S.  They turned out amazing!

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MY M&M’S offers a unique opportunity to add a level of personalization and customization to chocolate and gifts. MY M&M’S® is an exclusive online custom printing solution for personalizing an event or occasion. The collection consists of 25 vibrant colors, 20 of which are available for adding custom printed messages and images.D7K_9243
Ordering is quick and easy. Visit mymms.com to upload a photo portrait, type a printed
message and choose from among 25 MY M&M’S colors, including 20 customizable color
options that can feature your photos, images and messages.
MY M&M’S offers the following products, and more, that are perfect for weddings and
special occasions:
o Silver Favor Tins
o Elegant Lace Favor Bags
o Party Favor Packs
o Bulk Products
I will be posting one more time over the few weeks and show you exactly how I ordered and used the custom M&M’S at the wedding.  I’m so excited about these and they’ll be the perfect personalized touch for the wedding!

I Need to Check Myself…and Friday Fives

I posted something on Instagram yesterday about how much I missed the “personal feel” of blogging. I used to go and read everyone’s blog and comment. It felt like I knew them and I built so many great relationships over the years. I have to be honest, I don’t do it as much as I should either. Life gets busy and everyone moves into different stages in life. Life gets FULL. Yet, I still miss the feeling of togetherness I once felt while blogging.
Someone left a comment on my blog yesterday too….
It said that they missed what I used to write about. That my blog is primarily sponsored content and it’s not attractive to readers and not what they want to read. I get it. I do.
I don’t want this to become a review blog and I’m guilty of letting it slowly shift in that direction. It’s hard for me to say “No” to opportunities that seem like fun. And let’s face it getting free stuff is pretty cool. STILL-I don’t want this to become a place where I’m not authentic. Product reviews are not why I started a blog,  I do enjoy doing them….but I need to find a balance.
I need to get back to reality and write about valid topics.  That’s why I started this journey.  I’m not perfect by any means. I will finish up some reviews I’ve had in the works for awhile….but I’m going to try and slow it down a bit. I need to focus on why I’m here. What do I want to say? Sometimes it’s easier to do a review because you don’t have to “think” and just get to write about something someone else has given you.
I hope you don’t resent me for it. I really do value every single person I’ve met through blogging and I truly care about your life too 🙂
Anyway….just wanted to clear the air a bit and I promise things will get a bit more REAL around here!
Linking up with my favorite Friday gals: Darci & Lauren
1.  There’s a fun little project going around on Instagram right now where you can share your favorite coffee mug and talk about why you love it so much, or just why you love COFFEE!  Use #PCMugshots & find out more HERE
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2.  Connor got a torch. He is obsessed. He is “hunting” for everything with it 🙂 D7K_9310
3.  Happy Memorial day weekend!  I am personally looking forward to a 3 day weekend with my boys!  Here’s a flashback of my Ter-Bear in Iraq 2003.  We love our soldiers!iraq5
4.  I received this Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in my monthly Birchbox.  I LOVE IT!  It’s super soft and a subtle hint of color.
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5.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.  This Friday has been CRAZY so far!  Whew!28375e63c553d9855cdbd1a650aa18ea

Tyson #MealsTogether Photo Contest

I participated in this sponsored campaign on behalf of Tyson. All opinions stated are my own.
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Tyson is one of my favorite companies.  We eat a lot of chicken and it’s one of the only things I can get my 4-year-old to eat too!  Tyson is launching a contest showcasing your family meals together.  They want to see how you celebrate meal time.   Do you sit at the table or on the sofa?  Do you discuss your day together?  What makes your meal time special?

All you have to do to enter is go to Tyson’s Facebook page and post a picture with hashtag #MealsTogether.

I try to make meal time fun for Connor.  I bought these dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets.  He ate (and played a little) with them ;-).

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Dinner time is especially important to us because it’s the one time all three of us are together after a long day. We talk about what Connor did at school and how the work day was for Terence and I.  It’s a chance for us to connect and be together.
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Go enter today on Tyson’s Facebook page and post a picture of your family meal time with hashtag #MealsTogether.

Finish This Link Up: Week 20

Welcome to Week 20 of Finish This! If you’re new to these parts, welcome. This link-up is hosted by NICOLE (Three 31) LISA (Coastlined), JEN (The Arizona Russums), & me aka BECKY (The Java Mama) and we’re so glad you’re here. If you’ve joined us before, thanks for returning! Be sure to add your post to the link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Simply answer the prompts in a comment. Next week’s prompts are at the bottom of this post.
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My favorite recipe is …In the summer it’s the recipe for Chili’s salsa.  I could eat it on just about anything.  Of course I love to bake even more so than cooking.The recipe is below:
Ingredients:
2 cans (14.5 oz each) whole tomatoes, drained
3-4 canned, whole jalapenos (not pickled)
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons lime juice
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.

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I believe in …
TRUE LOVE.  My man candy is my Ter-Bear.  We were married very young…but there is no one else I would rather spend this life journey with.  I truly believe he was hand-picked by God for me 🙂
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I need to set boundaries …
On my time.  I have horrible time management skills and my brain is constantly running with things to do and projects I’m dreaming up.  I am a creative person and I am constantly swirling around….it’s hard to stop and take a breather sometimes.  Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I makes me who I am.
Although…I do need to set boundaries and say “NO” every now and then.
I began living when …
May 30, 1981
Eeek!  I’ll be 33 in 9 days!  Who’s counting anymore?  I live each day the best I can.  I can’t say I had an “Aaaahaaaa” moment at any point.  I just try to live each day to the fullest and be kind to others.  Set an example & live for God.
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Prompts for WEEK 21 (May 28) are:
The best mistake I ever made …
From this mistake, I learned …
When I’m anxious, I tell myself …
All I really want to do is …

Simple Skin Care Routine + Win a Complete Skin Care Set!

I participated in this sponsored campaign on behalf of One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own.
As I’m getting older my skin care routine has drastically changed.  Instead of worrying about acne, I’m now focused on sun protection and anti-wrinkle products.  Most importantly, I want to use products that leave my skin feeling clean and healthy.
I have a birthday coming up next week (I don’t really HAVE birthdays anymore…) but ya know I’m very much mid-thirties now and my skin isn’t want it used to be.  I’m noticing fine lines and keeping my skin protected from the sun is a major priority.
I recently tried a great new line of products from Simple Skin Care.  They surveyed women across the top 40 cities nationwide & the results are crazy!  I had to do a double-take on my own skin care routine!  They discovered that women in the top 40 cities nationwide don’t realize the wear and tear their everyday lifestyle may be having on the health and appearance of their skin.D7K_9248
Living in a large metro area like DFW I know there are environmental factors I can’t control.  When I drive home and see signs on the freeway that say “Ozone level Orange: Limit Outdoor Activity” it scares me.  From grit and grime to dirt and drama, city living can make all skin sensitive. That is why Simple® Skincare, a range of facial products that is sensitive to skin’s needs, is launching “Kind to City Skin” – a global initiative designed to help women understand the impact that city living – both environmental and lifestyle-related factors – can have on their faces.
I know I can’t control everything that affects my skin, but I can do something to help prevent the effect the environment has on it.
I absolutely love these Facial Cleansing Wipes from Simple Skin Care.  They are so easy to pop in a bag and contain no harsh chemicals, perfumes, or dyes. D7K_9252
Check out he survey results below:
Holistic Skincare Habits across the Country:
◾While most women are already aware of skin-irritating behaviors to avoid, such as excessive sun exposure or a diet rich in salty foods, a new survey* reveals a surprising truth –
◾Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) women describe their skin care habits as “healthy,” yet their actual behaviors (a snapshot below) show there is room for improvement.
◾A Surprising Cleansing Calendar – More than a quarter (27%) report that the longest they’ve gone without washing their face is at least two days. Simple® makes implementing a cleansing regimen a cinch with gentle yet effective facial cleansers and wipes to remove grime and dirt that can clog pores and cause irritation.
◾Being Attentive to the Elements – Fifty-nine percent (59%) are not actively trying to protect skin from environmental elements such as the sun or wind. Women can apply Simple® Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 to help them prevent damage from sunburn (even on cloudy days).
◾A Serving of Glowing Skin – Though half (50%) claim they’re striving for a healthy diet specifically to keep skin in good shape, thousands of women are missing out on certain foods that could work wonders on skin, such as Brussels sprouts (68%), walnuts (62%), salmon (57%) and avocados (56%).
◾The (Skin) Effects of Stress – Sixty-three percent (63%) know that their stress level affects the health of their skin, yet more than half (53%) are not actively trying to reduce it right now. Making a dedicated effort to unplug and unwind can make skin less permeable to external factors like weather and makeup.
◾The Beauty Benefits of Working Out – One in two (50%) are unaware that exercise can influence their skin’s health. Exercise increases blood flow and helps flush cellular debris out of one’s system – contributing to the overall appearance of skin.
◾Simple® also uncovered which major markets are ahead of the curve when it comes to holistic skin care habits.
◾The majority (52%) of women in San Francisco are trying to eat skin-loving food that is organic, produced locally, or farm-to-table.
◾More than 6 in 10 (63%) women in Hartford (CT) are trying to limit the amount of time they spend using electronic devices.
◾It is most common for women in Grand Rapids (33%) and Detroit (32%) to ride bikes on at least a monthly basis.

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Eye makeup is my LEAST favorite thing to remove.  These worked great and removed all my shadow and mascara.  I have really sensitive eyes & these worked wonderfully!
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ENTER TO WIN A COMPLETE SKIN CARE PACKAGE FROM SIMPLE SKIN CARE:

  • (6) full-size Simple® Skincare products – ARV $53
  • Simple Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer ($10.99
  • Simple Nourishing 24-Hour Day/Night Cream ($10.99)
  • Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($10.99)
  • Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99)
  • Simple Eye Make-up Remover Pads ($6.99)
  • Simple Foaming Facial Wash ($6.99)

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