Autumn Rose Reo

Make Your Birthday a Main Event

June 24, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 31 Comments

Looking for a great birthday destination that makes it easy by taking care of all the details so you can have all the fun? With games, food, an event coordinator and a special party room, Main Event is the right place for your main event!

Thank you to Main Event for partnering with MamaChallenge so we could enjoy this milestone birthday without all the work! #FUNstigators

I love hosting birthday parties for my kids. We’d plan for months what was the theme, what would we do, what we would eat – I liked the whole process working with my kids to make it a special day for them and to be honest, for me, too! (And the fun we had!)

Unfortunately, there is this unofficial age that every kids approaches when they ask to have their birthday somewhere else. And even more unfortunately, there is a realistic parent that realizes that they don’t have the one iota of creativity, patience, or time to create a great birthday party.

This year was that year for us. My son wanted to have a Pac-Man birthday party and an opportunity to just hang out with his friends and have fun. Mom’s list of requirements was a little bit more picky, but it included a one-stop shop experience where the destination took care of everything and we just showed up for the party. And air conditioning…lots of air conditioning!

Main Event was exactly the right place for us. We wanted to do something out of the norm of all the other party locations and because Jackson wanted a Pac Man theme and I wanted a place that not only wasn’t too far to drive, but the parents could have just as much fun as the kids (no matter the age or experience level bowling!)

When I called to book the birthday – it was so easy because it all came in a package. I let them know the date, how many kids to expect (although that would change) and what kind of food/drink to serve. A pizza party is always a homerun, but even with two kids allergic to gluten (mine), they still had me covered with a gluten-free version (that was good!) They even provided an evite template for me to use to invite people to the party.

We also added a few fun platters to serve for the adults that were so good including wings, artichoke dip and even a fruit/cheese tray. The activities were all built in with an hour of bowling, 30 minutes for laser tag and a $5 Funcard for each kid to use in the arcade.

And everyone signed a Pin for Jackson as a souvenir of his “main event!”

Really – that easy. All I needed to bring was the cake (gluten free at that)! THAT’S ALL!

When we showed up for the party that day (just a few minutes before the party started), we met our event coordinator that managed our special day! While anyone knows I think I’m the hostess with the mostest (or at least try to be), she had me beat. She kept the party going the whole time from making sure the kids were having fun, the drinks were all full, and when it was time for the official party time, she kept that moving too. Even the parents were saying how great she was to take time to ensure all kids were engaged – even remembering each of their names. Her fun attitude and her over-the-top service made it where there was really nothing for me to do but have fun and take photos (something I never get to do as the mama.)

And the cost? A package like ours is considered The Extreme Event, but birthday package ranges from around $15-20 a person. Even if that seems high to you, when I did the math of the last five birthdays we’d done, it still was way cheaper. And they did the setup, food, and the cleanup.

Main Event Grapevine Birthday Party Packages

The Extreme Event – $19.95 per person+ tax

Minimum group of 10
One hour of bowling
One session of laser tag
A $5 FUNcard for each child
Souvenir Bowling Pin
A selection from our Party Menu
Must be 48″ tall to play

Power Up Party – $14.95 per person + tax

Minimum group of 10
One session of laser tag
A $5 FUNcard for each child
A selection from our Party Menu
Must be 48″ tall to play

The Big Blast – $14.95 per person + tax

Minimum group of 10
One hour of bowling
A $5 FUNcard for each child
A selection from our Party Menu

At the end of the day though, the birthday party is really for the kids, right? I heard things like “best birthday EVER” and “that was awesome mama” so I think it was a slam dunk or better said, a strike!

I admit, I’m a little sad that my yester-year birthday parties no longer hold rank as #1, but considering signing the check with a well-deserved tip and taking our gifts to the car was all I had to do, I didn’t cry for too long.

Create your birthday party at Main Event by calling even booking online at your preferred Main Event location.

Want to try out Main Event for yourself? Just answer this question below and you can win a $50 gift card to Main Event! Consider this our gift for our birthday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment

Simple Summer Skincare Routine

June 22, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 14 Comments

Summer time is in full-effect, but your skincare routine doesn’t have to be. Here are your essentials needed for a quick and simple summer skincare routine that you can really use. Thanks to Revision Skincare and Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics for their collaboration in creating this power-packed post with an opportunity to try out these products and services. * Revision Skincare is a professional line of skincare products that should only be purchased directly from your dermatology or professional skincare provider.

When I was younger, I loved summers because I was free….

Free to not do much to my hair except spray in the Sun-In.

Free to not wear makeup or put anything on my skin except a little baby oil.

Free to just throw on a short sun dress and fly fancy free.

…Oh those days are so gone now.

Now my hair is often thrown into a ball cap as I run out the door, that whole no-makeup-thing is not happening, and there’s no time in our schedule to fly anything, especially fancy or free. It’s actually because of those worry-free days, I’ve now learned the importance of conditioner, sunscreen, and a calendar.

However, that doesn’t mean that I can’t an easy routine that’s practical and doable, even on my busiest of summer days, and still allows me to feel I look my best…not to mention protecting myself from skin cancer.

1. Check your skin.

Just like going to get your annual checkup, you should be making a visit to the dermatologist. While you should be keeping an eye on your skin for new spots and changing freckles or moles, a dermatologist will conduct a full-body check to make sure the places you can’t see aren’t cancerous. During this time, your derm can also give you a heads up on what you are doing good to your skin (and not). Also, like your gyno, you need to have a great relationship with your derm so you can ask questions and feel comfortable “unveiling” your concerns.

Dr. Polder at the Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics co-author of “Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin.”

2. Exfoliate your skin.

Want that sun-kissed look?

Then you start with a fresh face free of dead skin, residue and stuff that you didn’t wash off from the night before by exfoliating! Like buffing, getting the old skin off allows for the new skin to shine through. There are different tools you can use to exfoliate the skin or you can or consider a cleanser that can do both. Revision Skincare offers a summer-perfect cleanser with Salicylic Acid and Papaya Fruit Extract that contains an enzyme that polishes away dead surface cells, leaving your skin smooth by lifting away impurities without stripping the sin of its natural moisture content. Ideally exfoliating doesn’t have to be done daily, but more like 3 times a week.

Skin has a reduced ability to naturally shed dead skin cells as we age. Exfoliants remove dead, dehydrated cells from the surface of the skin to help the skin appear brighter and more vibrant.

3. Moisturize your skin.

Now that you have a perfect canvas of fresh skin, make sure to keep it moisturized. This is where I made tons of mistakes in my younger years because my skin was soft and subtle at the time. Unfortunately the older you get, the more that skin ages and the collagen (the protein that makes your skin strong and gives it elasticity), is diminished. So you have to do more to your skin to keep it moisturized and prevent additional damage that causes wrinkles and improve the health of the skin.

To keep it simple for summer, using a tinted moisturizer like Intellishade from Revision Skincare. This award-winning tinted moisturizer is formulated with a blend of three peptides and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, it gives skin a touch of sheer, healthy color. And with the added bonus of fighting photodamage which leads to premature aging, this is a multi-tasking product that’s perfect for busy moms.

4. Protect your skin.

If the one thing I’ve learned is that sunscreen is your best friend. However, do the numbers like SPF 50 or 20 confuse you? Well actually, the numbers themselves refer to how long you can sit in the sun without burning, not about the effectiveness of the sunscreen. The problem is most people don’t know exactly how long it takes for their skin to start turning red before it’s too late. This is why using a higher number of SPF allows you to sit outside longer, however, you still should be reapplying – especially if you go swimming or exercise. So in additional to moisturizing your skin, you should be putting sunscreen.

If your tinted moisturizer or foundation has sun protection that’s great, but doesn’t mean you shouldn’t reapply. And of course, you always need to apply to the other places on your body including your ears, neckline and even your scalp if it’s exposed.

You should apply sunscreen daily – even if you’re not in the skin. Research shows those who drive in the car and don’t have sunscreen on have visible signs of sun damage on their left side of their face which faces the sun.

5. Celebrate your skin.

Your skin works hard for you – and it deserves to be rewarded with seasonal maintenance from a professional. While everyone’s wants and needs are different in regards to procedures like Botox or Restylane, you should at least consider routine treatments like a Hydrafacial ®. A HydraFacial is an invigorating, versatile facial treatment that restores the skin’s vibrant tone and texture instantly by exfoliating the skin and nourishes it with essential nutrients in a single treatment. However, working with your dermatologist is key in creating the perfect plan for total skin health.

Remember, skin is in for the summer, just make sure to take care of it as well as it takes care of you!

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment!

JCPenney Launches The Boutique+ for Real Sizes

June 18, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

JCPenney continues to revolutionize the shopping experience with The Boutique, a new way for women with curves to find fashion-forward clothing. Once again, mamachallenge is thrilled to collaborate with JCPenney to share how The Boutique+ will change shopping for everyone.

Fact: The average American woman weighs 140 pounds and wears a size 12-14.

So why is it that so many of us average ladies have to look so hard to not just find clothing, but find clothing that doesn’t resemble either a mumu, tablecloth or a tent?

What if trying on clothes didn’t have to be a total beat down that made you feel like a big pile of crap on the inside and the out?

Yes, what if?

Teaming up with Project Runway’s Ashley Nell Tipton, the first plus-size designer to win the reality TV competition, launched its first-ever private brand designed exclusively for the plus-size woman called Boutique+™.

The Boutique+ is a plus-size lifestyle collection created for the fashion conscious millennial shopper. The brand was conceived by a dedicated team of design, trend and product experts whose focus is to ensure the looks of Boutique+ complement girls with curves, sizes 0x-4x and 16W-30W in stores and online. (Up to 5x is available online.)

Earlier today at theCURVYcon, the event that brings plus-size Brands and influencers together in NY to talk “the would of curv,” JCPenney unveiled a powerful video centering around positive body image in every size and to show that shape doesn’t define the woman.

Makes you think, right? And what about a clothing brand that isn’t about just trying to sell whatever shirt, skirt or pants that you can button, but instead a lifestyle that makes you want to show off what you have in a way that makes you feel like you?

#HEREIAM

As a gal that has always battled with her weight, self image and self worth, having place to not just shop, but to find looks you’ll want to wear and that make you feel good, inside and out is life changing. Of course, since most women share those curvier sizes, that means more women have been searching for a shopping destination just like this. Now JCPenney has created it, along with a new movement that being you is beautiful, which the brand is branding as #HereIAm on social media. You are invited to join in the conversation by following the hashtag along with JCPenney on social: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Face it, plus-size women have a “trifecta of primary apparel needs” – style, fit and price. With the new Boutique+, JCPenney is offering a brand that meets all three needs giving her a brand that’s worth her time and effort. And that makes her feel good, look good, and have a good day.

What do you think about The Boutique #HereIAm Campaign?

10 Reasons to Go to Granbury Texas

June 17, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 17 Comments

Need to “get away,” but only have a few hours for a vacation? A quick drive to Granbury Texas and you’ll feel like you’re hundreds of miles away from it all. Need more convincing? Here’s 10 Reasons to Go to Granbury and what makes it so grand.

Thank you to Visit Granbury for partnering with mamachallenge by providing complimentary experiences to many of its great landmarks.

Vacation? What’s that?

With little time to sandwich in a big getaway with the fam or even the hubs, I’ve come to master the art of a 24-hour vacation.

Even with just a few hours at your disposal, you can really get refocused when you walk away from the norm and take a deep breath of fresh air – in somewhere new, different, and unexplored (i.e. somewhere that didn’t have Starbucks or lots of traffic.)

With little to spare in traveling time, we jumped in the car just about an hour away to the grand little town of Granbury, Texas.

A small-town girl myself, I know that Texas is full of jewels like Granbury…you just have to let your imagination let you roam. And be ok to create a little schedule since you might fall in love with your first stop and not have any time left to explore some of the other fun destinations. Consider this kind of trip, your “Whitman’s Chocolate Sampler,” an opportunity to get a taste of everything in order to come back again (and again) to indulge in your favorites as little or as much as you want.

While I have more than 10 reasons you should plan a visit to Granbury, I’m actually rather selfish, and don’t want to share them all. I feel like it’s my own little piece of paradise and I don’t want everyone taking a piece of it. While I realize Granbury isn’t technically, mine, she did have my heart in just 24 hours.

1. Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese

Your discovery of Granbury actually should start outside of town in Lipan, about 20 minutes from town. Founded by the one and only Dave Eagle, Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese is the only the finest hand-made cheeses from the fresh natural Grade A raw milk of the Brown Swiss dairy cows pastured exclusively at Sandy Creek Farm in North Texas. Here you’ll find Gouda style cheeses, Alpine style cheeses, Trappist style cheeses, tomme style cheeses and others that you can purchase to nibble on the way home (I’d suggest two at least – one for now in the car and one to eat when you realize the first wedge is already gone.)

Award-winning cheese making happens here, but you’ll need to call ahead to get in on classes well in advance (and these are real deal classes, not just an hour or so to touch it and say you made it. This is the kind real cheesemakers do!) And just in case someone moves your cheese, you can get your hands on more at local North Texas farmer’s markets like in Coppell, Texas and some of the finest restaurants in Texas like Ellerbe’s Fine Foods in Fort Worth.

2. Revolver Brewing

One of the reasons Dallasites are flocking fast (say that 10 times fast) to Granbury is in pursuit of Blood and Honey. That is the nectar of the Revolver gods, the brewery that is found right outside of Granbury.

Each Saturday the gates are opened and you’re invited for just a few hours to take a tour of the brewery, catch some live tunes, let hot sauce drip down your face as you shove in a taco, hang out and of course, redeem your $10 worth of cerveza. Imagine a family reunion where everyone likes each other, brings good grub and condones drinking. Worth the drive just for the day, but with so much to do, why would you stop just here.

Don’t miss: Come early to make sure you make the brew tour at 1:30 pm. Arrive before 2pm and you get four 8oz tastings. Arrive after 2pm and you get two 8oz tastings. You can still come out and get your brews, but you won’t get to see how it becomes the hard-to-find brew that is tops on everyone’s list.

3. Historic Downtown Square

This is a good place to start your day (and end it) in Granbury.

If you love history, you’ll love just strolling the square to see the store fronts and landmarks.

Love to shop? They have you covered with several shops that display everything from clothes, rare coins and from what we found, even old gun from colonel that had fought in the in a battle (I didn’t catch that part).

Don’t miss: If you’re lucky, get in on the the second Saturday of the month for Girls Night Out. Many shops on the square keep the oil burning with extended hours to allow you to sip, savor and shop a little longer.

FOOD FUN ON THE SQUARE

Love to drink wine and eat great grub? Granbury doesn’t disappoint. Walking the square, you’ll find homestyle cooking, tea room fare at the name, Italian food at D’Vine Winery, and you can even be transported to Germany only steps from each other.

4. Ketzlers Schnitzel Haus and Biergaten

Hitting up Ketzler’s and the biergarten was a must on our trip to for all the best of the wurst (with traditional bratwurst, smoked bratwurst, wiess wurst and nurnberger with saurkraut and German mustard) and ~~one~~ ~~two~~ three cold Paulaner Oktoberfests under the shade of the trees next to the water fountain. (However, overheard a woman making some delightful noise as she devoured her reuben so it’s a good chance it’s because it was that good too.)

Since the one that makes it also serves it to you, it’s the kind of place that you pull up a bench and stay awhile (at least until the last bier wears off.)

5. Eighteen Ninety Marketplace Grill and Lounge

Just a few doors down: go back in time to 1812, a culinary mecca for spices, oils and some epic gluten-free brownie mix. This is where I went crazy. For foodies, this is your playground with flavors found you can’t get anywhere else.

After throwing down my credit card, I discovered the shop was just for starters…there is also pretty hot steak joint that serves as the fancy dining in town. However, blue jeans make the cut as you order the Texas Trilogy. While we had other dinner plans that night, don’t think I’m not calling in advance to make sure I’m on the top of the list for this place so I can sop up some PEI mussels.

Don’t miss: On the square inside Christina’s is a beautiful custom built wooden bar. Take it its awesomeness while ordering the sangria selection of the day or at least make it a pit stop as you round that side of the square. And if you have time, you should definitely stay for tea time.

6. Gluten Free in Granbury

With only 24 hours we couldn’t taste everything (especially since we didn’t have time to wait in the line), but we wish we could have. During a bathroom break I did stumble into the old stomping grounds of Billy the Kid and found some pretty epic gluten-free sweets at the Nutshell (for the win!). And don’t miss Farina’s Winery for a family Italian experience complete with gluten-free pizza!

7. Barking Rocks Winery

Always one to hit up the local wine trail wherever I go (Napa, Fredricksburg, Temucula, Grapevine), a drive a dirt road to Barking Rocks was one of my favorite parts of Granbury. After second thinking a few times that we had mistakenly hit up the wrong winding road, we reached the beautiful country oasis.

Insider the barn you’ll find a few tables, a knowledgeable staff, live music (when you’re lucky) and what you need to just forget to check into Facebook (but yes, I did.) Founded by Tiberia and Kristina Bolinger, this winery was started after he finally had enough of corporate America and ready to embrace his Italian heritage of wine making. The barn also serves as the place where the magic happens and then washed away before scooting the tables back to the center of the cement floor.

If you can catch it, check out the winery the first Friday of the month. Bring your best potluck and your friends for live music at the winery. Consider yourself lucky if Tobias stops by to join in the fun which often happens.

Oh, the Fizz n’ Rose. With Mourvedre, Roussanne and Chardonnay grapes, which is the ideal patio sipping wine for hot Texas summers with just a little tinge of sweetness and effervescence. Grab a few bottles (only $17) to take home, but not too many – you’ll want an excuse to return for more.

Don’t miss: You’ll also find a few other wineries if you want to do a little more wine touring including Pemberton Cellars, BluffDale Vineyards, and D’vine Wine of Granbury (also a great hangout for the locals). If you really love wine, plan now to visit in April for the annual Granbury Wine Walk.

8. Granbury Ghosts & Legends Tour

No visit to Granbury should be without tickets to the 7 pm or 9:15 pm Ghost Tour. Owned and conducted by mother-daughter team Coletta Henderson and Brandy Her., this tour is a trip down memory lane with tons of history and of course, of much local lore. Kicking off at the Nutt Hotel, you’ll walk through the “darker” parts of Granbury to explore and engage in legends come to life including Audrey and John Wilkes Booth (yep, that one that shot Abe.)

Totally family friendly, we didn’t talk too many scary stories, however, while walking around the square, which was dark by now, some of the lights began flicker during one of the accounts of a ghost that still haunts the area, but apparently that’s not the only thing that has happened on these tours. It’s a great way to end the evening in Granbury.

9. Inn on Lake Granbury

Ready to hit the hay? You’ll find total relaxation at the Inn on Lake Granbury bed and breakfast resort owned and operated by the most hospitable local couple.

At check in we learned that this was a destination for couples to really enjoy doing nothing and let the culinary talents of “wife’s name” take over during happy hour and breakfast (included in the stay.) The property includes a beautiful pool, picturesque lake view with tons of Pottery Barn-like perfect seating, and lots of activities if you want to just stay put at the Inn (worth a trip to do nothing at all.)

While we didn’t get the opportunity to really revel in the delightful nothingness that many others retreat here for, our time in the Pool House ensured we would return as many of the other couples had recorded in the guest book when they needed to get away or celebrate another momentous occasion.

10. And here are a few I missed but will be going back to visit:

City Beach Park

This is one that I’m making a point to visit this summer – the beach…in GRANBURY! There’s not a lot of beaches to get to in this neck of the woods, so this was a super surprise, especially if you’re just looking for a few hours in the sun next to the water. The beach park includes a spray park, SUP/volleyball/bicycle concessionaire, kayak rentals in the summer, and thatched roof picnic pavilions available on a first-come, first-served basis. And since it’s close to downtown, you can still add a little time downtown to the start or end of your trip!

Art Galleries and Museums

Combined there are more than 20 museums and art galleries in Granbury. So if you’re into history, art, or just appreciate exploring new things, you can make a whole trip just visiting each of these! While the Veterans Museum was closed while I was there, I was able to snap this shot of the plane near the park, also another stop to enjoy in Granbury.

Now you know a few reasons Granbury is so grand. Hopefully you’ll make a stop (or a stay) in the future.

It’s one of those places that makes me proud to call Texas home.

Rockin’ with #AloftLive Summer Tour

June 10, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Wanna to enjoy live music only a few steps from bed and free at that? #AloftLive is the coolest (and cheapest) way to get music, hotel, and technology, all in once space. And you don’t even have to stay the night if you don’t want to, but you should. Thanks to Aloft Hotels for inviting me to join in the fun with a complimentary night at the #AloftLive.

In my lifetime, I’ve stayed at a lot of hotels. Most I love, some not as much. However, recently I added a new one to my favorites list: Aloft Hotels. During a rushed overnight business trip, I was able to squeeze in a few hours of total relaxation with a margarita, jam out to a few new bands, and kinda feel like a rockstar – all within the walls of the hotel. Already a huge fan of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, I was thrilled walking in to the downtown Dallas Aloft and experience how technology, design and music come alive in a hotel environment.

Upon entry it was easy to see why the Aloft is the perfect setting for the Live At Aloft Hotels 2016 Tour with a very urban vibe of concrete, brick, and openness – just like you would expect in a loft. Joining the crowd of locals that had already started to hang out at the hotel bar (it’s also a cool vibe and nothing like the hotel lounges of yesteryear) to wait for the music to begin. It was just like a music festival without the mess and best of all without a ticket because it’s free.

While personally I hadn’t heard of tonight’s line up of Safety Suit and Olivia Somerlyn before walking in the door, a quick look at the scene and both their social networks, I definitely was part of a growing mass of people that were already enamored. And considering Bruno Mars, The Lumineers, and Ed Sheeran have been a part of the tour before hitting it big, it’s clear the Aloft has a proven knack for knowing what people like and want, which was obvious after hear

Starting in 2015, the Live At Aloft Hotels Tour travels the country to various cities to give you a feel for the Aloft experience – one that is tech-forward, vibrant, modern that’s different by design.

After jamming out for a few hours, it was time for bed. So just a few steps away, I climbed into the elevator, up to my room for an evening in a big bed…without any children, a husband, alone.

#Heaven.

Enter the room, its smart design was instantly appreciated from the OCD-minded mama. While most hotels have unnecessarily large closets, this one had a great use of space, color, and openness. The room wasn’t huge, but it felt like it with a big window that ran the length of the room. A total dork for toiletries, the Bliss products lined around the basin was a unexpected and welcome treat (the standard for Aloft hotels.)

The best part though was the work space that a gal that needs to permanently needs a laptop or device online, the office space made it hard to really want to roll up in the bed even though I did after a few hours of interrupted work. The only drawback to the hotel is there is no room service (one of my favorite things EVER), but there was an open space shot to pick up things like salads, granola bars, candy, drinks, etc. downstairs that was open 24/7 for folks like me that never sleep.)

Aloft is now just another reason to stay Starwood, but if you’re looking for a modern hotel without all the pomp and circumstance, this is a great choice. If you are traveling this summer, check out if the Live At Aloft Hotels 2016 Tour is playing anywhere near you (it runs until the end of July). And if you’re a musician who’s looking for your big break, then you might want to consider Aloft, too. The Aloft’s annual Project Aloft Star global talent competition is aimed at discovering the world’s hottest music acts and it’s currently taking applications to win a spot on the Live at Aloft Hotels Tour 2017.

For a complete and up-to-date list of all artists, locations and performance dates, please visit LiveAtAloftHotels.com and join the conversation @AloftHotels using #AloftLive.

Free Virtual Reality for Dad with Samsung VR

June 7, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

The Father’s Day countdown is on…but still no gift? Give the gift surpasses any boundaries: Virtual Reality for Dad with Samsung VR at Best Buy. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Move over Keanu Reeves, virtual reality isn’t just something to watch in the movies, it’s actually a way to become a part of them with Samsung Gear VR and Oculus. Whether it’s gaming, becoming part of your favorite moving, or connecting with friends in a whole new, there’s so much that’s possible with VR. And you can’t beat virtual reality when it’s FREE and includes free VR content!

Escaping to a virtual world is as easy as snapping a Galaxy smartphone into Samsung Gear VR. Developed in partnership with Oculus, Gear VR is completely portable, comfortable to wear and simple to set up!

Just in time for Father’s Day, Best Buy is offering a special offer for FREE plus $50 of Virtual Reality content with purchase, or lease, and activation of select Samsung Smartphones (when you buy or lease and activate a Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ or Note5.) Save up to $150 on select Samsung Galaxy smartphones with 2-year contract, or get a $100 Best Buy gift card with lease or monthly installment plan.

From taking part in epic battles to interacting with live dinosaurs, you’ll go where you’ve never been able to venture before with the Samsung Gear VR.

With the Oculus Video app, create trailers, clips and even your own movie files and even customize your virtual environment — choose from a home theater, big-screen cinema or even the surface of the moon. Plus you can buy hundreds of full-length Hollywood movies and TV shows.

Live stream games, short films and video clips in a virtual-theater setting. With full access to more than 1 million Vimeo videos and Twitch, a leading video platform and community for gamers, there’s always something new to experience.

Whether dad’s a gamer, a movie buff, a total gamer, or just is looking to get away (even if it’s only in the other room), then this is the perfect Father’s Day gift for him (or for you!) and this deal is only available (online or in store) at Best Buy.

Special Father’s Day Offer

Free Samsung Gear VR, plus $50 of Virtual Reality content with purchase, or lease, and activation of select Samsung Smartphones. Good now until 6/18 online or in Best Buy stores.

Best Gifts for Super Hero Fans

May 31, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 87 Comments

Want to give your kids’ greatest super hero a gift that he’ll love for Father’s Day? Here are the best gifts for super hero fans including just the #writegift from Cross Pens new Marvel Collection AND learn how you can win it, too!

[Thank you for Cross Pens for partnering with mamachallenge for this special giveaway. Affiliate links may also be included with current prices (subject to change.)]

Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is meant to be a special day to celebrate the Pater familias, but somehow it turns into a day to give dad a whole bunch of crap he doesn’t want. So this Dad’s Day, save the day by giving your #1 supe rman one of these out-of-this-world gifts featuring his favorite super heroes.

1. CROSS Pens New Marvel Collection | Captain America: Civil War Super Pens | $150

You can’t go wrong for Dad’s Day with this top-0f-the-line pen from Cross Pens. Known for quality craftsmanship and writing finesse, these stunning collectibles just hit the scene with the summer’s upcoming blockbuster film Captain America: Civil War. Featuring Captain America, Iron Man, and Spider Man, your special man will feel like he’s has a new super power when he whips out his new super pen.

Available in two styles, the first the brand’s evolutionary Century II series is finished in a high-gloss lacquer and includes a collectible, character-specific romance card And the second is the Tech2 series, which transforms from a ballpoint pen to a stylus in a flash (MSRP $45 USD.)

ENTER TO WIN CROSS CAPTAIN AMERICA CROSS PEN BELOW!

2. Marvel | Fortaleza Spider Man Watch | $50.99

Make your fan’s day AMAZING with this time-stopping Marvel Fortaleza Watch. Featuring the Amazing Spider Man on the face of the watch, the band features a a polished and matte steel finish and a precision Japan movement. This fan will be ready to fight off bad co-workers and get to home just in time with this super watch pick!

3. SockShop | Marvel Comics 4-Pack Socks | $15.25

Your fan will MARVEL at this four-pack of his favorite super heroes socks from SockShop. Even the most button-down man can go undercover with his super hero love by slipping on these socks featuring The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spider Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine.

4. Graduation Gownstar | 6 Pair Super Hero Cufflinks | $29.99

Not sure which super hero is Dad’s favorite? Then don’t choose – pick them all with this special 6-pair set of cuff links. Featuring Marvel and DC Comic characters, dad will be ready to show his shield and his special moves (either in the board room or on a night on the town), with this gift-ready box of cuff links.

5. Mad Engine | Marvel Men’s Spider Man Amazing Dad Shirt | $16.99

There’s nothing like telling him exactly how you feel – that he’s amazing! Move over Spider Man, your dad is taking over with this t-shirt he’s sure to donn not just this Father’s Day, but every day he needs to take on the world with a family proud to call him Dad!

Win the Cross Pen Captain America Pen ($150 value) just in time for Father’s Day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

Fruit and Veggie Recipes to Make NOW

May 26, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 9 Comments

No doubt that it’s always a good time to eat more veggies and fruit, but the summer time is just RIPE for enjoying these 4 Fruit and Veggie Recipes. Mamachallenge is excited to partner with Dole to launch the 2016 Get up and Grow Together! Tour kick-off in Dallas. Compensation for time and product was provided by Dole, but all opinions shared here are those of mamachallenge.com.

No matter what type of diet plan or nutrition program you follow, one thing remains consistent: eating your vegetables and fruit helps create a healthy lifestyle. As parents we’re always trying to find ways to get our kids eating more veggies and fruit (just check out my segment on apples), but it’s just as important for us to get ours, too!

Did you know bananas are North America’s most popular produce?

That’s just part of the reason for the Dole 2016 Get up and Grow Together! Tour. Started last year as a way to get us all by adopting a diet rich in fruits and veggies, the 42-stop tour launches in Dallas on May 26 on “National Eat More Fruit and Vegetables Day.”

Studies have shown that broccoli helps to decrease the risk of diabetes.

The tour stops at supermarkets and public events throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, offering free produce-filled recipe samples, recipe booklets and other giveaways, an interactive Kid’s Corner, and fruit and veggie-themed photo-sharing opportunities – all to showcase the fun, flavor and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the recipes you’ll be able to sample at the Get up and Grow! Together stops (and now make at home, too!)

Brussels Sprouts and Grilled Pineapple Salad

Strawberries mean summer! Love them everyday but this new recipe for strawberry toast with a ricotta-banana spread and a balsamic-honey vinaigrette is the perfect app for the season! Get the recipe #ontheblog or visit the Dole get Up and Grow Tour to try it yourself! It starts in Dallas and goes to 41 other spots across the U.S. this summer. Get the details on mamachallenge.com. #mamachallenge #ad #GetUpandGrow #dallas #dallasblogger #strawberries #recipe #veggies #healthyblogger #memorialday

A photo posted by Autumn Reo | Mamachallenge.com (@autumnreo) on May 28, 2016 at 2:18pm PDT

Strawberry Toasts

Café Banana Frappé

Salad Sipper

Brussels sprouts help beat the bloat and have shown to aid in weight loss.

Go to www.dole.com/GetUpAndGrow for a complete schedule.

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

Dinner Delivery with DoorDash

May 23, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 23 Comments

Forget pizza…Dinner delivery at your door is possible with just the touch of your smartphone with DoorDash. So mamachallenge took the offer from DoorDash to test drive to see if it really worked…and it did. There is not a sponsored post, but the cost of food was reimbursed for trying it out. And now you can too with a special discount just for you!

Even the best of meal-planning parents can’t always be prepared for the challenges that can happen in a day.

Then there’s just the times you’re too tired to even think about throwing chicken nuggets in the microwave or rolling through a drive-in once again.

If only dinner delivery could arrive at your door, hot and ready to eat – and not paying some crazy amount – to get it there.

DoorDash just launched in Fort Worth and Arlington and I bet those Dashers (the ones that pickup and bring your food) already wonder if I know how to cook at all. DoorDash has been in Dallas for a year and thankfully has made its way westbound

Coverage areas include:

Downtown Fort worth
Arlington Heights
Edgecliff Village
Everman & Kennedale
TCU Area
Western Hills / Ridglea
White Settlement
Arlington

And also is taking over Frisco,The Colony, Southlake, Colleyville, Flower Mound and Coppell!

Last week, after a crazy day that I was thinking cereal might be the best option for eating, I downloaded the free app (you can use it on your desktop too) and gave it a spin.

With no tutorial or help, I had the app on my phone, clicked through what options were available and delivery times worked with our scheduled, ordered, paid, and was watching the progress of the entire order – straight to my door – with less than 10 minutes spent.

I was so stinkin’ excited I couldn’t help but share it on my Facebook and tell all my friends that my dreams of dinner delivery were answered – and it was FOR REAL.

Even when there was a little glitch – like the restaurant was taking longer to get the meal made, the progress tracker made it easy to see that the ETA had changed a few minutes. (That always happens when I pick it up at some of my favorites, so of course, that’s going to happen from time to time.)

And of course, the one question that everyone asked was how much did it cost? Was there a huge delivery fee? Was the menu price totally different? While the site says the delivery fee varies by region and restaurant, you’ll see the price for delivery as you do it so there’s no surprises. However, all I paid for my meals was the cost of the listed item and a $1 delivery fee. And then I was able to tip, too – so there was nothing to do when the Dasher arrived at the door except open the door and eat it.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

Get $5 off orders of $15 or more for new customers in the DFW area with code: MAMACHALL.

Try it now!

Founded in 2013 at a dorm room in Stanford, DoorDash connects customers with local businesses through technology and logistics by purchasing goods from local merchants and having them delivered in less than 45 minutes.By building the on-demand delivery infrastructure for local cities, DoorDash is bringing communities closer, one doorstep at a time.

Last-Minute Deal for Summer Camp at Sky Ranch

May 20, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Feel like you’re the only parent who hasn’t figured out what you’re kids are going to be doing this summer? Don’t worry, you can still do summer camp at Sky Ranch with this special mamachallenge deal! [Partner]

Summer is a great time for the kids, but for many parents means putting together a complicated plan that offers the kids something fun to do and somewhere for them to go at least 9-5 , especially if you’re a working parent.

Photos provided by Sky Ranch

Dallas Fort Worth is full of amazing camps for any interest from Airplanes to Zoology, but deadlines for many of them may have already passed months ago…but actually many of them haven’t including Sky Ranch.

Sky Ranch in Van, Texas (yes, the one that kids have been raving about since 1955 and wrote the book on overnight camps) with outdoor fun including swimming, rappelling, horseback riding, zip lines, water slides, and more, is offering a special deal for MamaChallenge readers.

Get $100 one week at Sky Ranch in Van, Texas with CODE: 2016SCBlog

However, if your kids, like mine, aren’t quite ready for campfire s’mores and postcards from the parents, Sky Ranch now offers “Launch Camps” right here in DFW. Sky Ranch Launch Camp gives kids an extraordinary daycamp experience right in their neighborhood for kiddos (or parents) not quite ready for overnight camp. Designed for kids, kindergarten – 5^th grade, Sky Ranch Launch Campers enjoy five, fun-filled days of camp activities with suitable programs and positive encouragement from our caring and extensively trained counseling staff.

See? You can still win the “Best Parent of the Year Award” and keep your sanity this summer with Sky Ranch!

Launch Camp’s 2016 Locations:

Addison
Trinity Christian Academy
Addison, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17
Session 4: June 20-24

Allen
Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
Allen, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5
Session 11: August 8-12

Argyle
Liberty Christian School
Argyle, Texas
Session 1: May 30 – June 3
Session 2: June 6-10

Arlington
The Oakridge School
Arlington, Texas
Session 2: June 6-10

Dallas
Good Shepherd Episcopal School
Dallas, Texas
Session 4: June 20-24
Session 9: July 25-29

Highland Park Presbyterian Church
Dallas, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5
Session 11: August 8-12

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal
Dallas, Texas
Session 7: July 11-15
Session 8: July 18-22

Fort Worth
All Saints Episcopal School
Fort Worth, Texas
Session 8: July 18-22

Southwest Christian School
Fort Worth, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17

Frisco
Legacy Christian Academy
Frisco, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1
Session 6: July 4-8
Session 7: July 11-15

Grapevine
Grapevine Faith Christian School
Grapevine, Texas
Session 7: July 11-15

Keller
First Baptist Church Keller
Keller, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1

McKinney
McKinney Christian Academy
McKinney, Texas
Session 2: June 6-10

Plano
Custer Road United Methodist Church
Plano, Texas
Session 3: June 13-17

Prestonwood Christian Academy
Plano, Texas
Session 8: July 18-22
Session 9: July 25-29

St. Andrew United Methodist Church
Plano, Texas
Session 5: June 27 – July 1

Prosper
Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church
Prosper, Texas
Session 4: June 20-24

Rockwall
Rockwall Presbyterian Church
Rockwall, Texas
Session 10: August 1-5

Southlake
The Clariden School
Southlake, Texas
Session 9: July 25-29

Don’t wait any longer – register your child for Launch Camp or Overnight Camp in Van, Texas, now!

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

« Previous Page

Make Your Birthday a Main Event

Looking for a great birthday destination that makes it easy by taking care of all the details so you can have all the fun? With games, food, an event coordinator and a special party room, Main Event is the right place for your main event!

Simple Summer Skincare Routine

Remember, skin is in for the summer, just make sure to take care of it as well as it takes care of you!

JCPenney Launches The Boutique+ for Real Sizes

#HEREIAM

What do you think about The Boutique #HereIAm Campaign?

10 Reasons to Go to Granbury Texas

Need to “get away,” but only have a few hours for a vacation? A quick drive to Granbury Texas and you’ll feel like you’re hundreds of miles away from it all. Need more convincing? Here’s 10 Reasons to Go to Granbury and what makes it so grand.

1. Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese

2. Revolver Brewing

3. Historic Downtown Square

FOOD FUN ON THE SQUARE

4. Ketzlers Schnitzel Haus and Biergaten

5. Eighteen Ninety Marketplace Grill and Lounge

6. Gluten Free in Granbury

7. Barking Rocks Winery

8. Granbury Ghosts & Legends Tour

9. Inn on Lake Granbury

City Beach Park

Art Galleries and Museums

Rockin’ with #AloftLive Summer Tour

Free Virtual Reality for Dad with Samsung VR

Best Gifts for Super Hero Fans

Fruit and Veggie Recipes to Make NOW

Dinner Delivery with DoorDash

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

Last-Minute Deal for Summer Camp at Sky Ranch

Pin This!

Pictures Say a 1000 Words

mamachallenge

Follow Along!