Celebrate!

Mother’s Day Breakfast In Bed Cheat Sheet

May 5, 2012
By
Mother’s Day Breakfast In Bed Cheat Sheet

One of the most popular Mother’s Day events is serving Mom breakfast in bed. Here are three tips to make your breakfast as unique and special as the woman you are honoring. Have the family present breakfast on a platter or breakfast tray and choose dishes that she will love to use throughout the year. You can make these part of the gift and the pieces will serve as a reminder of her fabulous day. I’ve chosen some fabulous platters, trays, mugs, glasses and plates on Pinterest for inspiration. Serve her favorite breakfast items. This one seems like a...

Read more »

The Motherhood Side Effect

May 4, 2012
By
The Motherhood Side Effect

I never considered myself a girly girl. Feminine maybe, but not girly. I wasn’t drawn to pink and purple, ruffles or lace. I didn’t grow up dreaming of my wedding day or babies. And I definitely didn’t get emotional or cry at cute things often. Tears were saved for Lifetime movies or death. And don’t judge me, some of those Lifetime movies are real tearjerkers. Motherhood has changed me in a way I NEVER expected. I now have an emotional side that surfaces A LOT. I hug more, cry more, say “I love you” more. I don’t gag in...

Read more »

Easiest Peach Cobbler You’ll Ever Make

April 11, 2012
By
Easiest Peach Cobbler You’ll Ever Make

In honor of Peach Cobbler Day on April 13th I’m sharing one of my secret dessert recipes that’s EXTREMELY easy to make. I have been making this peach cobbler dump cake for years… since my first apartment in college, and it is ALWAYS a hit. Factor in it only takes 5 minutes to assemble and 35 minutes to bake and you’ll see why I keep this one in heavy rotation. You’ll need: Two 16 oz cans of peaches in juice or syrup ½ box of butter or yellow cake mix One stick of butter Cinnamon (optional to sprinkle on...

Read more »

Have Fun With Jelly Beans!

April 8, 2012
By
Have Fun With Jelly Beans!

Whether you’re looking for some creative ways to celebrate National Jelly Bean Day on April 22nd, wondering what to do with leftover jelly beans from Easter, or you’re like me and will be scouring the ½ off shelves the day after Easter looking for goodies, this post is for you. And YES, National Jelly Bean Day is a REAL holiday, . Here are seven ways to use jelly beans in a creative way. These are great ideas for a spring party theme, a kid’s playdate activity or a way to add unexpected fun to a day. Personally, I can’t...

Read more »

Spring Fun That Won’t Aggravate Seasonal Allergies

March 26, 2012
By
Spring Fun That Won’t Aggravate Seasonal Allergies

With Spring officially here, I had planned to write a First Day of Spring post. But then seasonal allergies hit my house… BAD! So instead of writing about the first day of Spring, this post is about allergy-friendly things you can do in the Spring with your kids. Grow orchids indoors. Orchids are typically allergy-friendly plants and they are gorgeous! This is a good way to still have the joy of spring flowers, minus the itchy, watery and swollen eyes. Play in the rain. You may not want to be outside on a beautiful, sunny day, but rainy weather...

Read more »

Cha Cha-ing and Electric Sliding With Kids

March 15, 2012
By
Cha Cha-ing and Electric Sliding With Kids

YES, The line dances! Kids love to line dance because it’s fun, they love dancing and the directions are easy to follow. For parents it’s a good way to teach directions and to get little ones moving. Here are some easy steps for planning this as a party theme or as a playdate. First, set the mood with lively music for guests as they arrive. The Kidz Bop and Disney Music channels offer a nice mix of kid-friendly music. I’m also a fan of Motown. Let guests begin at a craft table. I start every kid party with a...

Read more »

Girlfriends Day In, Healthy Living Party

February 9, 2012
By
Girlfriends Day In, Healthy Living Party

This month’s Girlfriends Day In was a Healthy Living Party and we had a blast! This was an interactive party that led to laughs, eating, good conversations, green/healthy living tips and oh yeah… laughs. We started the party with a Pampered Chef Consultant walking us through a healthy pizza recipe and a CHOCOLATE fondue with only 80 calories per serving. I guess by this point everyone knows chocolate is a must for my get-togethers, . Then we made our own cleaning supplies using vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, water and essential oils. This was A LOT of fun! It...

Read more »

Chocolate Honey… Need I Say More?!

January 28, 2012
By
Chocolate Honey… Need I Say More?!

  Certain places you hold dear because of what happened there (proposals, met someone special, etc.). For me, The Atherton Market in Charlotte is where I first experienced Cloister Honey’s CHOCOLATE whipped honey. I was there to buy locally-harvested honey, but never did I imagine I would find some with chocolate! Now it is a breakfast staple for my waffles and toast. It is also proof that chocolate can make something great even better, .  

Read more »

Cocoa Drizzled Kettle Corn And Yes, It’s That Good!

December 24, 2011
By
Cocoa Drizzled Kettle Corn And Yes, It’s That Good!

Welcome to the reinstatement of Chocolate Fridays! First up is this Cocoa Drizzled Kettle Corn from Trader Joe’s. This bag of addictive… ahem… I mean fabulous popcorn is a great mix of sweet and salty. And by great mix I mean you will be licking your fingers the whole time you are eating it. Like many of my Trader Joe’s purchases I was standing in the checkout line and heard it whispering to me. YES, chocolate whispers to me. Anyway, I was on my way to a Holiday Girls Night In party and I thought it would be a...

Read more »

FABULOUS Vegan Cupcakes!

November 28, 2011
By
FABULOUS Vegan Cupcakes!

Sweets are a big deal in my house, so when Hubby decided to dabble in a vegan diet I was worried about finding a delicious birthday cake that would meet our standards. I needed something that would work for him AND for the rest of the family. The answer was vegan cupcakes from Pink Chocolate Cupcakes, based here in Charlotte. I ordered the vanilla bean flavor with chocolate icing (he loves chocolate, too!) and prayed I could stomach them. These cupcakes are AMAZING! They are moist, flavorful and just good! If I hadn’t purchased them I would not have...

Read more »