Where have I been? I joined the BAND! The Mrs Band #ImEnough Movement

I've been on such a whirl wind the last few months I finally just had to sit down and write this post! It all started with this:




Have you seen this #ImEnough video? It touched my heart! Don't we all feel that? Don't we all want to say: "I'M ENOUGH!" This video has been viewed more than 5 million times across the world! That's when I learned that The Mrs Band was more than a band. It was a movement! An all girl band, a band of WOMEN, who were still dreaming and inspiring. They bring the Magic Mirror across the country changing women's lives and their inner voices!

Low and behold The Mrs was releasing a NEW song for Mother's Day called "You Told Me". The lyrics say it all:

I love this song. It really speaks to the complicated relationship Mothers and Daughters have. The Mrs held an amazing song launch event in NYC and I was THERE! It was at the Top Of The Rock at Rockefeller Center with Jenny McCarthy as our host and benefiting Dress For Success!

Jenny couldn't have been more down to earth and SWEET! Just loved her. The Mrs treated us tired Moms to a fabulous night out with cocktails by Deep Eddy Vodka, decor by Red Velvet Events and earrings from Kendra Scott!

And they even brought their Magic Mirror!!!! Quite a magical experience!

The Mrs Band played their new song and everyone loved it! A huge success!

Aren't they gorgeous!!!???

Now I'm a devoted fan of The Mrs. Women who make music for people my age? THANK YOU!!!!! I'm on board! Watch their new video and download their new single!

Ipad Mini Give Away And Bedtime With Sarah Sullivan Bedtime Challenge!

We have been reading the cutest new book before bed. Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan. 

"Wearing a sparkly "S" crown, she is Super! Silly! and Sweet! Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan is about the magical hour that happens every night at bedtime, when kids "try" to go to sleep. Readers are invited to travel with Sarah through the wonders of her imagination as she learns what it is like to create her own dreams. Ultimately landing on the moon, Sarah learns that anything is possible, as long as you believe."

The Bedtime for Sarah Sullivan App is now available in the Amazon App Store for Kindle. I love the way it looks on this device! Get it HERE.

I don't know about you but bedtime at my house is sometimes chaotic. That's the truth. And sometimes nightmares or other drama gets the best of the kids. After reading "Bedtime For Sarah Sullivan" and talking to the author Kelly Paniagua,  we came up with a brilliant idea:

THE BEDTIME CHALLENGE!

For the next two weeks take 10 minutes (30 minutes would be even better!) to read the book, use the app (on kindle or ipad) and set a positive intention before the kids go to bed.

"Travel with Sarah through the wonders of her imagination as she learns what it’s like to create her own dreams. Ultimately landing on the moon, Sarah learns that anything is possible, as long as you believe. Through the app, children get to immerse themselves fully in the adventure through voiceover, narration and object/character animation."

Take this and be creative! Let your kids create their dreams:) Mom's feel free to take the challenge too. Instead of worrying before bed try creating a positive dream! What a concept!

To FURTHER INSPIRE YOU... WE ARE GIVING AWAY AN IPAD MINI! That way you can use your new Bedtime for Sarah Silverman APP! See below to enter. Lots of ways to up your chances by following a few steps!

Extra entries for Tweeting or FB posts and sharing the give away. Use HASHTAGS: #BedtimeChallenge and #BedtimeWithSarahSullivan  and #SuperSarahKids


Good luck and let me know how the challenge goes!



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Best Side Dish For Labor Day! Mexican Style Corn!

We call this fabulousness  "Mexi-Corn".

Everyone who tries it says it's "CRACK CORN" LOL!!!! Sarina helped hubby make them and is now HOOKED!

We served it last night. You should make it this weekend!

• 5 ears fresh corn, husked 
 
For the Spread:
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• Juice from one lime
 
For the Topping:
• 1/4 cup grated Cotija cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chili powder if you want heat)
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

ENJOY!!!!

Meet The Teacher - Teacher Gifts!

As school starts again I have mixed emotions of not wanting the Summer to end but also wanting these kids OUT OF MY HOUSE. HA!!!!!

Might as well start the year off RIGHT with a MEET THE TEACHER GIFT.

I have a bunch I found that are just too cute. Which one should I do!?

1) Thank You Planter-

How cute is this from My Happy Place?
Chalk paint, a plant and a ribbon DONE!

2) Crayon Name Picture!

This is too cute but more advanced for sure from Melissas Bargains.

3) This Survival Kit is adorable.

 

Clean and Sensible has it as a Valentines Day gift but I think it's great for a meet your teacher gift too. 

4) Pencil Bouquet= AKA sheer brilliance from Less Cake More Frosting!

 

What do you think? Which one should I do? You should see what my bestie did! How great is this??? It's a door hanger!

The Best Graduation Gifts- I love the sentimental ones!!

Hi!

This year Landon will be graduating 1st grade and Coco will be graduating Pre K and going to Kindergarten in the fall. While I am not ready for big graduation gifts, I am starting to think of the sentimental things I can do NOW that will have a big pay off when they graduate high school!


One of the things you can start ANY TIME at ANY AGE is:

1) Oh The Places You'll Go- By Dr. Seuss:

Have your childs teacher sign this book every year and then give it to them at graduation. Coco and Landon's books started in Pre K so they will be FULL! This is an inexpensive and oh so meaningful gift! One of my favorites and I try to tell everyone about it!

2) I have also seen: The Letters:

Write a letter to your child each year at the same time (you can even add a little money each time) and then when they turn 18 they have a great graduation gift!

3) Story People Print:

My Mom had given me some of these, but now there are even better more sentimental art pieces you can buy from story people. I like the prints best. This one is amazing.

Love this one too:

3. Memory Books-

I am the queen of the snapfish photo book and now that I am adding quotes like this I am the tear jerking queen!

I love doing a book of photos and story so they can see their whole year and how much they've grown.

I also love giving this book:

4) Just Who Will You Be- By Maria Shriver

For a comprehensive list of amazing graduation gifts I loved... Look at what  'How Does She?" Posted. Click here.

What's your favorite graduation gift?

The Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes From Proud Italian Cook

Thanksgiving is here people!

We are going up to Lake Arrowhead for Thanksgiving with a bunch of family. It will be fun!

Every Thanksgiving I can HARDLY WAIT for my Mothers Broccoli Casserole! I had posted the recipe before so just click the link!


I think Proud Italian Cook has some new, interesting and YUMMMMMMY sides she's suggesting for Thanksgiving. (I'm obsessed with her posts. Cannot wait to get them each week!)

1. Cippolini Onions Bathing In Creamy Parmesan and Thyme:

Are you DYING? I am!!! This is a MUST MAKE and I am adding it to my yearly traditions!

2. Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad

This looks so light and yummy it would even be good for a lunch after Thanksgiving with turkey sandwiches!

3. Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash and Ricotta.

I mean please. I am about to jump through this picture! Delish! Proud Italian cook ROCKS. All her recipes are available at the link above. Of course I have already pinned them to my Pinterest so you can repin there as well! What are your favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes?

The Christmas Pledge

Have you heard of the Christmas Pledge?

So many things are going on over the holidays it's hard to really enjoy it and really feel what it's all about. The idea of the Christmas Pledge is so brilliant I can't take it. The idea is by The Art Of Doing Stuff but I read it on: 3 Peanuts.

You do the WORK of Christmas in November so you can ENJOY CHRISTMAS! WHAT A CONCEPT!!!

I am doing my best to get EVERYTHING done in November, attacking a little day by day. The wrapping will be my toughest challenge to make myself get done but I need to do it so the gifts look amazing. Sometimes at the end of my marathon, end of December wrapping sessions things look nutty! LOL

How about you? Want to take the Christmas Pledge? How do you handle all of the holiday craziness?

Top Five Easy Halloween Party Recipes

I have a Halloween Trick or Treat party every year and am ALWAYS on the hunt for new and EASY fabulous recipes! Here are my top five that I am loving right now!

1) Witches Fingers (From Eat Yourself Skinny)

2) Pizza Mummies from Spoonful

3) Ghost Bananas and mini pumpkins

4)  Candy Corn Pretzel Fudge by Illuna

5) Eye-Scream by sunlit Spaces- 

 On a plate, place two round scoops of vanilla ice cream. Make a couple streaks on the scoops with strawberry syrup. Place a blue, brown, or green M&M on the center of the scoop, and add a dot of black decorating gel in the middle of the M&M.

What are your favorite Halloween recipes?

Friday Five!

Getting the hang of this now!

Here are my favorite five things right now:

1) Polka Dots and Moonbeams had a grand RE-Opening Last Night! I am telling you no matter your size these ladies can make people look good! Here's proof!!!

2) I just ordered this Pottery Barn Kids "Catalina" bed as a surprise for Landon. He's having surgery on Dec 4 and I wanted him to have a big boy bed to show how brave he is. It's ON SALE!

I can't wait to get it all assembled!

3)  Love stores like Blue Bird in LA where they sell gently used clothes and toys for kids. Scored a few winter coats for NOTHING and they are gorgeous. Do you have these types of upscale resale shops where you are?

4. I am thinking of a rug like this and a look like this for our living room. This is Jonathan Adler. I think it's chic and modern and I kids of love a little humor too! My friend Carrie who writes Pearl and Pierce Home decorates like this and I need her to come over ASAP!

5)  I am obsessed with the Hamilton Beach Iced Tea Maker. Had to order another one however, because that guy cannot go in the dish washer.

Since I do not drink coffee, and I am constantly tired (hello, I'm a MOTHER), this gets me through the day.

Want to join the Friday five?

All you have to do is LINK UP! Post your Five things you like and then post the blog links to one or all of our hosts (Carolina Charm, A. Liz Adventures, The Good Life Blog and Hello! Happiness). Then post your button:

.....and go to one of their sites to share the link to your post. 
Come join us!

Lilly Pulitzer Give Away!

Let's make the most of the end of summer! You read it right ladies and gents! Enter to win this Lilly Pulitzer iphone 4 case in May Flowers!

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The NIghtmare Of Returning From Vacation!

I have just returned from one week in the Outer Banks with all my bestie girls and their families. Twenty-three years of friendship with these fabulous women! It was glorious. We all relaxed and lived a beachy perfect life with this view!

Now I'm back to this:

Here's what's hard about when you really dial out. Your email piles up, bills pile up, laundry piles up, calls, errands, social obligations, school supply buying, are on the back burner and all come rushing back.

I'm trying to just slowly make my way through the fog. And trying to hold on to these moments forever.

Missing all my girls and the times we had.

More on the trip later!

The Perfect Family Vacation: Westin St. John!

The pictures say it all. We had a wonderful trip!!! The Westin caters to parents and kids with their kids club, arcade and fun activities!

An amazing place and about to have a major 12 million dollar face lift!

T

This is the legendary Trunk Bay. Best snorkeling!

Look out for Coco on the beach!

Coco and I in our Lilly!

First Pina Colada!

At Our favorite restaurant Morgans Mango!

Such a wonderful trip! Where are you headed this summer?