J'Adore VoxBox and Peanut Butter Blossoms

 

I was excited to be chose to receive the J'Adore VoxBox from Influenster! There was some really fun stuff in there, but I bet you know what my favorite was..... the Hershey Kisses! I knew I could make my family very very happy by making them their favorite treat, Peanut Butter Blossoms!

 

If you haven't made them before, they are super easy!

 

You just need a peanut butter cookie mix (note that I did NOT use the snack size because I knew my family would be hungrier than that!) prepared based on the ingredients on the back. Create 1 inch balls and bake as directed. Some people roll them in sugar before they bake them, but it's no necessary- they are sweet enough as is.

Right when you take them out of the oven, be ready to press down an unwrapped Hershey Kiss in the middle of each cookie.

Here's my final product! Of course they were eaten super-fast. Next time I'm going to use a gluten free cookie recipe so I can join in too.

Reading Material

I absolutely love to read, but over the past few years haven't found much time to enjoy that hobby. I've been trying to read a bit before bed each night and am really enjoying getting back into it.

 

Here's a few books on my nightstand:

 

The Antelope in the Living Room: The Real Story of Two People Sharing One Life

 

I enjoyed Melanie Shankle's Sparkly Green Earrings, so I was sure I'd love this one too. Excited to get started on it.

Working It Out: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope

 

Last week I listened to a recorded Proverbs 31 call with Abby Rike, a former Biggest Loser contestant, and knew instantly I needed to read her book. What an amazing girl Abby is!

  

Multiple Bles8ings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets

 

I know I'm behind the times, but I've been watching Jon & Kate Plus Eight on my Amazon Prime and wanted to know a bit of the back story on them. I know there is quite a bit of drama on down the road, but I'm still watching the first few seasons and those kids are so darn cute!

 

 Stress Free Kids: A Parent's Guide to Helping Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety in Children

And I'm *almost* done with this one, sent to me for review. Expect a review soon- I am really getting a lot of good info from this book!

From Amazon.com: Kids today are more stressed, overwhelmed, and struggling with anxiety than ever before. Children are not born with the coping strategies needed to navigate today's increasing demands of technology, bullying, academics, and family dynamics. You yourself might wonder how your own stressed-out lifestyle is affecting your children. Based on Lori Lite's award-winning series, Stress Free Kids provides relaxation techniques you can use to free your child from stress.


What are you reading?

Friday Update

Just a few updates on this beautiful Friday! We have a fun weekend planned and I am so looking forward to it. Tonight we are going to dinner with some friends while our kids attend Parents Night Out at our church. Reese and I have some booth sales planned with our Girl Scout troop, and Sunday night is our kick-off meeting for VBS leaders- I'm excited to hear what our theme will be this year and ready to get started planning.

 

 

1. Reese and I are ready for March and a new calendar page! This vulture was Mr. February on our Zoo Friends calendar and while I think all animals are beautiful and a gift from God, I have to admit his pic gives me a fright every time I go in her room! Ha!

2. Since I'm home now during the day, I'm obviously using our home computer much more. The set-up we had was slow and old so Mr. Sasha set this up for me last night and I am so glad to have 2 monitors again! I was so spoiled having this at work. You really don't realize how handy it is until you don't have it anymore! I'm hoping to making a trip down to IKEA next month and find a new desk. I love IKEA but hate that it is 3 hours away!

3. The amount of Legos that Will has is out.of.control. I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm thinking of putting up a shelving system on the wall in his room to store all these. Thoughts? IKEA?  He doesn't want to take them apart- he loves setting up battles and boy stuff like that with the completed sets.

4. If you are a fan of YA dystopian fiction (Hunger Games, Divergent etc) and you haven't discovered the Legend Trilogy , STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING and dive in. I think most people agree that the conclusion of the Divergent trilogy left something to be desired...... but I finished the last Legend audiobook last night and it was divine! Such a good book!

Hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with Nutrium Moisture

Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with Nutrium Moisture

Influenster recently sent me Dove's newest deodorant offering, Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with Nutrium Moisture, to try. I've been using it for about 2 weeks and am happy to report that I love it! It works so well and smells nice too. 

When I read the product stats, it was interesting to see that 36% of what you remove when shaving is SKIN! Since I do share under my arms every day, that's quite a bit of skin I'm losing. And the idea of using a lotion under my arms is just not something I'd consider. But a deodorant that provides moisture benefits? I was glad to try that.

If you visit this link at Walmart.com, there's a $2 coupon to print.

Here's some additional product info:

Introducing the best care ever for the armpit. NEW Dove® Advanced Care is the only (Anti-Perspirant) Deodorant formulated with NutriumMoisture™. NutriumMoisture™ is comprised of ingredients that are known to moisturize and nourish the skin. 

• Armpit skin requires the same care and attention given to the rest of women’s skin
• 36% of what you remove when shaving is skin (64% is hair)
• As a result of the damage done by shaving, armpit skin loses 50% more moisture, which can lead to dryness and irritation
• The NEW Dove Advanced Care deodorant provides softer, smoother armpit skin in just 3 days

The Busy Mom's Mani

OPI A Woman's Prague-ative

(3 coats)

from the Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection

I understand how hard it can be to find the time to pamper yourself with things like manicures. But over the years, I've developed a method that allows me to do a home mani in a short amount of time right before I go to bed. The secret is the fast-dry topcoat- my nails are completely dry by the time I hit the sack, and I don't get sheet marks at all! Start to finish, a mani takes me less than 20 minutes. Who doesn't have 20 minutes to pamper themselves?

And my secret to pretty nails? Always keeping them painted! It adds strength and keeps them from breaking.

So without further ado, here are my favorite nail products, shown in order of use for the perfect salon-quality mani. For all products, I start with the pinkie of one hand and continue on to the other hand before I move to the next step. And there's no need to let the coats dry in between steps- just start with the same nail each step.

1. Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. To have a long-lasting mani, you've really got to prep your nails. Removing cuticle overgrowth is a key step. I apply this all around my cuticles, wait a bit (you can wait longer that it says), then use the thumbnail of my opposite hand to push back/scrape the cuticles. I typically do this twice. Find this at drug stores and mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.

2. Orly Bonder. This rubberized basecoat overrides any oily residue on your nails and gives your polish something to stick to, another secret of a long-lasting mani. Find this at Sally Beauty.

2.5. Apply your favorite shade of polish. I'm a firm believer that if you use the right base and top coats, any brand of polish can work. Some of my favorites that vary widely in price are OPI, China Glaze, Sally Hansen and NYC.

3. NYC Grand Central Station. This is my new HG topcoat... it works just as well as the pricy Seche Vite, but it's only $2! You know I love a bargain. Find this at drug stores and mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target.

4. Poshe Cuticle Care.  Keeping your cuticles neat and free of hang-nails is another secret to making your manicure last longer. This product is fabulous and I massage this into my cuticles twice a day to prevent hangnails and prevent cuticle buildup. Find this at Ulta for around $9.

5. Nail Polish Remover Dip-It. I change my polish pretty often, and this little treasure makes it quick and easy. Inside this tub are plastic bristles that really help scrub the polish off. Find this at mass-market retailers like Wal-Mart and Target for around $3.

Now, if you are trying to remove a glitterbomb polish, that's another issue, and you'll need to visit this post on my nail blog to see the trick for that.

Do you have any nail products to recommend to me? I love trying new products and would love to hear about your favorites!

Did you know I love nail polish so much that I've got a separate blog just for my nail polish reviews and pictures? Visit me at http://www.manicuremommas.com/ if you like nail polish as much as I do!

Ch-ch-ch-changes......

Oh friends! I have a had BIG life change! I am no longer working outside the home! 

After about 17.5 years with the same employer, Mr. Sasha and I decided in the fall that it was time for me to spend some more time concentrating on our family, and specifically, our kids. I resigned from my full-time position in September, but let them know I'd be open to staying on in a part-time position. So I've been working about 20 hours a week to help with the transition since then, and last week was my last week. Hallelujah! You've never seen someone pack their office so fast! Ha!

I've been having the best time getting our house decorated and organized. I'm embarrassed to say that we've been in this house since 2000 and it has always looked like we just moved in. Or were renting..... Not much on the walls, not much decorating.

But now! I have the gift of time!

  

Here is one of my first purchases: Will had this giant blank area next to his bed, and I found the perfect canvas at Hobby Lobby, in the clearance section no less. It adds so much to the room.

And don't you love my new dining room decorations? Ha! Those, my friends, are just part of the 200 cases of cookies Reese's troop ordered. I'm serving as Cookie Mom for the third year and so we operate a bit of a cookie store at our house. The kids love it and are learning so much about business. If you are local and need some cookies, you better believe I can hook you up!

So hopefully you'll be hearing a bit more from me. I  have lots of books to read and report on, lots of decorating projects, and lots of new recipes I am trying. I am so excited about this next chapter in my life!

Recommendation: Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child

Last fall when I did an online bible study over Renee Swope's book A Confident Heart, I also purchased her book Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child.

The book includes:

• 24 character traits
• Related Bible verses for each trait
• Easy-to-understand definitions
• Creative and easy ideas to live out what you learn
• Lists of traits that represent the "dirt" that buries the gold and Bible verses for correction

I decided we'd take one of the character traits each week and focus on it. I framed this week's trait in our kitchen, along with the definition, and we've been discussing it over dinner, reading the bible verses that go with it and talking about different situations and opportunities to use this character trait. I think it's going to be a neat family project for us to do this year!

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge: Day 6 (Find an Accountability Partner)

Today is my Day 6 of Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

Day 6 of this 7 day challenge is "Find An Accountability Partner". I am definitely an introvert, and after reading about this I decided that the Chore Planner I purchased for $6 from Motivated Moms would definitely work here.

I am LOVING my chore planner! 

The Motivated Moms Chore Planners map out a plan for what chores you should do each day and week to stay on top of your household organization and keep your home in great shape.

I don't promise that I will get every single task done every day but I always have the weekend to try to catch up! I just like have the accountability of having items to check off a list.

12 Months to a Healthier You

I think Money Saving Mom is my new favorite website! Last Friday she posted about her 12 Months to a Healthier You challenge and I decide this would be perfect for me to participate in!

 

January's focus area is exercise.

Now that I know my weight gain was most likely casued by my recently-diagnosed Celiac Disease, I am working pretty hard on getting back in shape. I've already lost a few pounds and have more energy, so I decided I was ready to start a new exercise program in the new year. I have done several Beach Body programs in the past and really did like them, but there is just something about Jillian Michaels that I LOVE! I guess Amazon knew this because right after the first of the year they alerted me to a special deal on her Body Revolution program and of course I jumped on it.

Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

 

The best way to describe the program is this description I found in the reviews section: "There are 15 dvds (12 strength, 3 cardio). Each workout is 4 circuits and 25-35 minutes. The cardio dvds include a single circuit repeated 3 times. You change strength dvds every 2 weeks and cardio dvds each month. You workout 6 days per week (2 days of cardio and 4 days of strength)."

 

I've already got one full week under my belt and I LOVE this program! 30 minutes is totally doable.

 

Do you have a fitness goal for the new year? Want to join the challenge with me?

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge: Day 5 (Clear Out the Clutter)

Today is Day 5 of Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

Day 5 of this 7 day challenge is "Clear Out the Clutter". She says to "Pick one space in your home to declutter as soon as you can today".

You don't think my bookshelf needs de-cluttering, do you? :-)

Off to tackle it!

If you'd like to join in, visit Money Saving Mom and share some 5 minute tasks you have completed today.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge: Day 4 (Use Your Minutes Wisely)

Today is Day 4 of Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

Day 4 of this 7 day challenge is "Look for little pockets of time throughout the day that you can use to accomplish...  small tasks".

I have been doing that a lot lately. I've got a running mental to-do list of things I'd like to get done. I also purchased the 2014 Motivated Moms 
Printable Chore Planner and it's been fun to mark things off the list each day.

Here's a few things I have gotten done in just a few minutes today:

I had pinned the idea of having your wi-fi password framed for guests to see, and I finally got it done! I did clear off the password from the pic, but if you are a guest in our home, you will see the password and be able to connect easy-peasy.

I had also been meaning to find a new solution to storing our razors in the shower. I am NOT going to show you a pic of what we were using, because it was nasty-dirty and rusted and since I haven't had a tetanus shot in over 30 years (I'm allergic) and I was scared to take it down.

But I found these Command razors holders at Walmart and thought they would be perfect.

And they were! Just took seconds to install!

If you'd like to join in, visit Money Saving Mom and share some 5 minute tasks you have completed today.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge: Day 3 (Create a Morning Routine)

Today is Day 3 of Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

Day 3 of this 7 day challenge is Create Your Ideal Morning Routine "to calm your chaos and bring rhythm, order, and peace to your days".

My routine has been evolving over the last few months as I am adjusting to not have to be at work at 7 am anymore. (Yay!) I am settling in and figuring out a schedule that works for our family. At first I thought I would like to work out in the mornings, but lately I have found I have more motivation in the evenings, so I have been saving my workout for then.

1. Get up, brush teeth and head to kitchen for can of Coke and take meds/vitamins. That one can of Coke I allow myself every day is basically my coffee. I've tried to cut it out before or switch to a diet or lower calorie drink, but the results are always disastrious and just not work it. A full-sugar Coke it is!

2. Get the kids up and get them started on brushing teeth and getting dressed.

3. Head back to the kitchen to fix breakfast and check backpacks and lunch menu to see if I need to fix any lunches. I also clean their glasses and lay them on the table with their breakfast and vitamins.

4. Get the kids to school

5. After I get back home, I get showered and ready for the day. After makeup and before I do my hair, I spend a bit of time at the computer, checking email and wishing some happy birthdays on facebook

If you'd like to join in, visit Money Saving Mom and share your morning routine.

Day 2 of the Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge

Today is Day 2 of Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

Day 2 of this 7 day challenge is Recognize & Appreciate Your Gifts. In one of those "God Moments", right before I read today's task, I read an article a friend linked to on Facebook titled "How to Find God’s Will for Your Life". It all became clear.... the gifts I have, the things I am good at, are God's will. 

And to tie in the bible study I just finished through Proverbs 31's Online Bible Studies, I am #Enough! I've got a pretty big change coming up in my life over the next few months, and I need to hear that message.

Here are some gifts I possess:

1. The gift of money-management. I am not sure if it's my upbringing (mom and I used to clip coupons together), or my finance/accounting background, but I am a good steward of our family's money. Money is never an issue we have argued about in our marriage. I bargain-shop, research for good deals, and am generally frugal with my purchases, although I do like to indulge in a good quality luxury item from time to time. I have never lied to my husband about anything I have purchased and think this is key in our successful marriage.

2. The gift of an elephant's memory. Names, faces, events in the past.... I never forget anything! Long-term that is..... my short-term memory is sometimes lacking, but I think that is because of Gift 3.

3. The gift of multi-tasking. I am able to have a million things going at once. Cooking dinner, helping with homework, working on laundry, I've got it all in the air.

4. The gift of perseverance. When my kiddos started having problems reading in school, I put all my energies into researching and figuring out the best plan of attack to help them succeed. I did not stop! Unhelpful and unwilling people in my path be warned, I will not let anything keep my kids from success!

5. The gift of dependability. I am nothing if not dependable. Ever a slave to my watch and my to-do list, I am where I say I will be, with promised goods or tasks in my hands or completed.

If you'd like to join in, visit Money Saving Mom and comment about your gifts.

Money Saving Mom's Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge

Today I started Money Saving Mom's "Say Goodbye to Survival Mode Challenge".

 

 

Day 1 of this 7 day challenge is about saying no. She suggests saying no more often, "to set boundaries and give yourself some much needed breating room".

 

Something I desperately need!

 

Today's challenge was to mark three things off my to-do list.

 

Here is what I chose:

 

1. I let a group know that I didn't have the time to help plan an event right now.

 

2. I will stay off Facebook completely today after I pick up the kids from school and make tonight all about family.

 

3. I have some errands to run, but they can wait until another day. It's bitterly cold today and once we get home after school is out, it will be nice not to get back out.

 

If you'd like to join in, visit Money Saving Mom and comment about what you are marking off your to-do list today.

 

 

 

Welcome to 2014! My Favorite Beauty Find of 2013

I wanted to start 2014 off by telling you about my favorite beauty find of all of 2013. I actually got a sample of this product when I purchased another full-sized product, and promptly fell in love with the sample. Which is nice because I absolutely hated the full-sized product I had purchased!

Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30

$12 at Amazon.com

This is the best oil-free moisturizer containing SPF that I have EVER used. It is not at all greasy and sinks in almost immediately, and is fragrance-free to my nose. I typically wait about 5 minutes or so after applying this before I start applying my makeup and I have never once had a problem. I LOVE THIS MOISTURIZER!

If you haven't been using an SPF moisturizer on your face, let 2014 be the time you start. I am a former sun-worshipper and have done so much damage to my skin. But I vowed a few years ago to stop the damage and using a good SPF product is the best way to do that- the SPF in your foundation or powder is not good enough, I promise.

Now back to the product I did NOT like- Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Foam Wash. I do not like the smell and it doesn't make enough lather to make me feel like my face is actually getting clean. But at least it led me to a new HG SPF moisturizer!

Merry Christmas!

Although life has been so very busy over the last few months and I haven't been able to blog much, I didn't want December to pass by without me wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Gift Idea For Your Budding Artist

Reese absolutely loves art and last year I got her the best gift- a set of 5 how-to-draw books along with a personalized sketch book from Harptoons.

Want to get your kids away from the video games and iPod and start using their imaginations? Then you really need to check out this series of how-to-draw books. Start with a number or letter, add a line here, a shape there andvoila, an animal, monster, or cartoon sea creature. These drawing books are super easy to use and a great way to get your kids involved in creating something from their imaginations. 

These books are amazing and so much fun! One of the neatest features of the set is that the artist/author, Steve Harpster, personalizes your purchases for you.

Here is the cover of Reese's sketch book. 

And the inside cover.

 Inside each how-to book, Steve does a special drawing for your child and adds a special message for them. Reese thought this was the coolest part.

Here is a monster she recently drew for me from his Spiderbite book. 

And I prefer the baby animals book myself..... they are so cute! I drew these for her. (Note: I am about as far from an artist as you can be, but you can see with his step-by-step instructions, I was able to draw some pretty cute stuff!)

I think this set, or any books from Steve, would make a great Christmas present!

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose here. I am just a satisfied customer and wanted to pass on!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes..... Gluten Free!

In 2010, I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcakes with a recipe from the blog Kevin and Amanda. They turned out amazing (definitely dessert contest material) and once I found out I needed to eat gluten free I went to work modifying because I knew this was a recipe I still wanted to be able to make.

Here's the finished product. Everyone from my kids to my coworkers agreed they were delicious.

Betty Crocker makes a GF yellow cake mix that is pretty easy to find in places like Walmart or Target.It's a standard mix that you add water and eggs to, along with some gluten free vanilla extract.

I found this GF cookie dough at my local organic grocer- they were a bit expensive at $5 for 12 cookies, but I only used 6 for the recipe since I cut each cookie dough ball in half to get enough for 12 cupcakes.

I topped the cupcakes with Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Milk Chocolate frosting since it's GF. It's so nice to find that some everyday products are already GF!

Luckily I am finding that having to eat GF is not all that bad. It is definitely an adjustment and requires quite a bit of pre-planning, but I am finding it do-able!