Emma turns 7

My little mini-me, the baby of the family, turned 7 this week.  REALLY, where has time gone?  

This year Emma chose to have her party at the roller rink.  With such busy sports schedules, this worked out perfect since I didn't have to worry about party preparations or house cleaning.  The roller rink took care of all the paper products, drinks and pizza.  All we had to worry about were the goody bags and the birthday cake.  

Most of our birthday parties are held at home, and the kids play in the yard or ride bikes behind the house.  Since the spring weather has been so chilly I am glad we chose to have an indoor party somewhere else.  

Although Emma has been ice skating a few times, roller skating proved to be a challenge for her.  She switched out to roller blades and quickly figured it out.  

Aren't the walkers the cutest?  LOL They certainly didn't have these when I was growing up.  The girls skated for a couple hours and requested all their favorite songs to be played.  They were able to hang out at the tables and have pizza.

 Emma had such a wonderful time with all of her close friends!

Calling all Momma's: Hop Into Spring with Mam

I am not sure about you, but the winter weather here just can't seem to go away!  The spring flowers have slowly started to sprout and I have started to notice babies on the farms, but it sure is cold!  It's hard to believe Easter is right around the corner!  

While your out shopping and preparing for the holiday, why not grab MAM’s Oral Care Rabbit and MAM Start Pacifiers? These will make perfect additions to baby’s first Easter basket.

MAM Pacifiers

MAM’s cutting-edge pacifiers combine technological innovation and trendsetting design to help give babies a healthy start in life.  Developed by leading pediatric dentists and developmental psychologists, MAM pacifiers provide maximum comfort and style for babies of all ages.

Clever design and lightweight materials make MAM pacifiers a pleasure to use.  All MAM pacifiers feature an orthodontically correct nipple design that allows little ones to safely satisfy their sucking reflex while maintaining proper jaw and tooth alignment.  MAM pacifiers feature an easy-to-grasp front knob and a curved shield for a comfortable fit that’s gentle on baby’s skin, thanks to generous air holes and MAM’s patented interior surface.  

MAM pacifiers are available in an assortment of colors and design motifs, and come in two nipple options: patented anti-slip Silk Teat™ Silicone or Natural Latex.  Like all MAM products, the brand’s pacifiers are BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-Compliant.   

Suggested retail price: MAM Pacifiers, $7.49 for a pack of two

MAM Oral Care Rabbit (0+ months)

Developed in conjunction with health practitioners and developmental psychologists, MAM’s innovative oral care collection helps maintain baby’s oral health from birth and beyond.  Like all MAM products, the oral care collection is BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-compliant.   

Designed to maintain baby’s oral hygiene before teeth arrive, the MAM Oral Care Rabbit gently removes plaque and bacteria from baby’s mouth.  Mom’s fingers tuck into the rabbit’s super soft “ears” like a glove, allowing her to gently massage and clean baby’s gums.  Regular use of the MAM Oral Care Rabbit also helps prepare baby for a regular tooth brushing routine at an early age.   

Suggested retail price: $5.99.

March Beauty Must-Haves ~ Go Green this St. Patrick's Day

Are you looking to achieve fluttery, look-at-me lashes?  Look no more!  Physician's Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara is the perfect mascara, made with 100% natural origin ingredients, featuring volumizing technology that will dramatically maximize and intensify lash volume.  This mascara has become a recent fave of mine, and can be found at most drug-stores nationwide.  At only $9.95, you can't go wrong!

Add a pop of color to lids with VMV Hypoallergenics Two True Hues in Shaken & Stirred.  Infused with virgin coconut oil, these gorgeous green shades provide superior hydration to lids with serious staying power. ($40 at vmvhypoallergenics.com)

If your looking for a more affordable eye shadow with true staying power, Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow in Edgy Emerald is an excellent choice. This long-lasting, creaseless cream-gel shadow will survive all of your St. Patrick’s Day festivities in style.  

I tend to have oily lids, and powder shadows don't seem to stay as long as cream shadows. Within a couple hours they fade away, so I opt for the cream shadow as my go-to shadow of choice.  Simply smooth onto lids for an instant dramatic eye that everyone will notice.  Use your finger to apply, no need for a makeup brush.  ($7.99 at Target and Ulta)

While your at it, why not get lucky with your own pot of gold? Sparkle and shine with Mehron’s Metallic Powder in Gold.  Versatile enough to be used anywhere on the face or body, this luminous powder will add a jewel-like sheen to the skin. ($9.95 at Mehron.com, also available on Amazon)

Currently Crushing: Strawberry Delight Cake

While reading the latest Woman's Day Magazine, I came across a yummy recipe for a cake topped with blueberries and a frosting made of sour cream and cream cheese.  Although I totally love sour cream and cream cheese, not everyone in our house is a fan.

It also happened to be a special little someone's 6th birthday, and she had requested a strawberry cake.  I decided to change up the recipe, first opting for a box cake to save on time.  I baked the cake in 8" round cake pans.  After cooling, the cake was set in the refrigerator overnight.  This allowed for us to easily cut each cake through the middle, creating the layers.

Just before the party, the cake was layered with cool whip and strawberries.  This is a fun and festive spring cake that everyone is sure to enjoy.  Other thoughts would be to poke the cake and pour jello over it before refrigerating.  Although I chose to skip frosting the sides, cool whip and strawberries could have also been added.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night."  Irish Blessing

Essie: Alice & Olivia Fall/Winter '14 Style

Today's look is all about dressing up the nails, and fortunately with sites like Pinterest we can learn how to create many of the styles without leaving the house.

There was a strong focus on the nails during New York Fashion Week, and I am happy to be able to share the many looks by essie.  

Stacey Bendet’s fairytale inspired Alice + Olivia collection was filled with textured metallic fabrics, exotic fur pieces and oversized knits. To complement the bohemian glamour vibe, Miss Pop Nails for essie created two dark, gold accented nail looks. 

essie nail products used:
first base base coat 
good as gold licorice 
good to go top coat


How to get the look:

1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails
   
2. Next, apply two layers licorice
   
3. To apply the gold dots, dip a nail dotting tool in good as gold and carefully apply a
   medium-sized dot at the center tip of the nail and two smaller dots on each side
   
4. At the base of the nail, dip the dotting tool in good as gold and apply a medium-sized
   dot at the center edge of the nail and five smaller dots surrounding it
   
5. Finish with good to go top coat
   

Tip: If you don’t have a nail dotting tool, use the end of a bobby pin!

cpr & first aid - we meet once again.

a couple of months ago i decided i wanted my daughter to become a Girl Scout. unfortunately there wasn't any room in the current daisy troops, so in order for her to become a Girl Scout, we needed a troop leader.  of course, me being the person that i am decided no big deal, i will be the leader.  i am crafty, i enjoy children, and love taking trips and exploring new things. easy peasy.... until i heard the words "first aid and cpr".  

well, one of the rules of girl scouting is that there must always be a first aider on hand during the meetings and events.  naturally, i asked if any of the parents were certified, and to my dismay, they were not.  yes, i learned first aid and cpr in school, but that was many years ago and it certainly wasn't one of my stronger area's.  let's just say i don't know how i passed the test.   today whenever there is an injury at home i call for my husband because i just don't handle thoe types of things very well.  

since the hubs works for the fire department, he was able to get me registered for a class.  

today is the day, and today is a new day.

i am as excited as i am nervous. i will attack it head on. i will go in there, learn as much as i possibly can, and pray that i don't ever have to use the information and skills i have learrned. as they say, information is knowledge, and knowledge is power.

i can totally rock this!