Like clockwork, when my kids hit the door after school, you should take cover.
They take over the kitchen and begin raiding the cabinets, pantry and fridge like they’ve never eaten a day in their life. Working fast to find nourishment, they go in search of whatever they can find quickly…and unfortunately, it’s normally not good for them or a good way to lead up to dinner.
To prepare for the “hostile takeover,” I’m loading up on healthy after school snacks for quick ways to meet their immediate hunger needs and my want to fill them with vitamins, protein and the good stuff to make them stronger.
Shamrock Farms aims to inspire busy moms and dads by creating Roxie’s Midday Menu with fun snack ideas that pair perfectly with Roxie’s Midday Menu like:
A great way to give them what they need in a way they will love it is with Shamrock Farms protein-packed mmmmilks now available at select Walmarts in the dairy aisle nationwide for only $1. Shamrock Farms milks are pure, fresh and nutritious with no added hormones AND come in 12-oz 2% chocolate, chocolate milk, 2% strawberry, whole regular milk varieties.
Whether you work from home or need a place to manage family business, creating an organized home office is fundamental for success. Get tips for what you need and visit The Container Store for more help on creating your dream home office.
According to a recent Gallup poll, the average worker telecommutes two days per month. And with the increase of technology, more companies are creating a virtual office environment. Another poll says the trend in 2016 is for more home-based businesses. For me, I actually have a home-based company where I run my PR/social media company, manage mamachallenge.com, AND my family’s business, so it’s futile to have an effective space no matter how big it is.
So whether you have a defined space for an office, are looking to create a space in a spare bedroom, or you are truly mobile, you need to have a process to keep you moving in 2016!
To be the CFO or CEO of your business, you’ll will need to SFO. That’s right we’re gonna SORT, FILE, and ORGANIZE.
Starting off with some help from my friends at The Container Store (start off at to save even more money – affiliate), one of my favorite stores EVER, I was able to get not just a few tips, but also find out about a NEW products that will get you going STAT.
SORT
Let’s start by going through the “stuff.” Start making piles of things that have like purposes – bills, kids’ stuff, items to file, to-do things, etc. From your piles you’ll figure out how you need to organize your stuff. then from there, you decided what types of space you’re going to need – exposed files, boxes, drawers, charge station, supplies… whatever makes sense to you.
Tip: to prevent unnecessary clutter — and wasted time — limit the amount of items on your desk!
[Pickup Power by Quirky]
How you’re going to keep your to-list managed, how you are to keep track of your appointments, what needs to do be done in a few months – those are all things you need to think about as you look at what you need in your home office space.
Having a way to keep up with your to-d0 lists and your calendar is easiest with an agenda. [Find out how to choose the right agenda for you here.] However, not all agendas are the made the same way and sometimes people prefer to keep all information digitally [here’s what Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg uses], a hybrid, or take a hint from the office with a big calendar for the whole family and a white board.
FILE
Now you need to decide how to categorize files into two categories: active and inactive. Keep active files accessible (on your desk, in a rolling file cart or in a filing cabinet) and store inactive files in a labeled storage box. This will reduce time spent rummaging through a huge stack of files that may not be current.
Reading a document over and over can waste valuable time. Minimize the number of times a document is read by immediately filing, discarding or placing the items in a “to do” file. The amount of paperwork on your desk will be greatly reduced by making this a part of your daily routine.
ORGANIZE
Now for someone like me, this is where it gets good! Now it’s time to get to work! This is where you start really putting your ideas to work. Since a significant amount of time is spent sitting behind a desk or in front of a computer, design your work area so that there’s a place for everything and that the telephone, notepads, pens, pencils and appointment book are at your fingertips. Place additional resources — but only those that are essential — within easy reach and begin putting things together!
[Synchronicity Stockholm Collection]
Tip: Don’t forget to utilize the often-wasted space available behind the door or on the wall over your desk like using the Perch System created by Urbio (featured on Shark Tank!)
Now you’ve cleaned it up, let’s talk two tips that will really make a difference in your home office space!
COLOR
Most people fall into two categories – ones that like lots of color and ones that don’t.
First off, you’ll want to take into consideration where your office space is located. If it’s in the middle of another room, you’ll want it to blend. However, if you have a room to itself, then feel free to go in whatever direction you want, but having by using one color hue like white gives a sophisticated space that won’t make it feel like a work space, but more like a beautiful part of the house.
Tips for Using Color
According to a study by UT at Austin, depending on your gender, the color of the room, can affect your mood differently. So you definitely want to think about who else has to encounter your space and how you want to feel working in your office.
Blue: Creates a calming environment and positive well-being
Green: Initiates effectivity and happier mood
Red: Increases energy and activity
Yellow & Orange: Stimulates creativity
PROCESS
It’s all great if you clean up a space to look good, but if it doesn’t work for you, then it’s useless. Make sure the area works for your lifestyle, your family, your thought process, and most of all your work! However, the fundamental concept of having an inbox for things as they come in to do, a “In Processing” for the things you are working on, and either an Outbox for completed items or just to file them immediately, can easily keep your space and your workstream moving forward!
Now are you motivated to get your space together? What are you organizing?
Well here’s even more motivation – a giveaway for $5o Gift Card to The Container Store!
I heart The Container Store. It’s my happy place. And one trip can help you to organize your happy space – no matter where it is in your house!
Everything is clean, monochromatic or at least color-coded, lots of white space, and full of people who totally appreciate that organizing things = calm amidst the chaos. Unfortunately, my family doesn’t appreciate that a little walk through The Container Store is only second to yoga for me (well, maybe not that much, but it does make me feel a little calmer.) I can only dream that in my little fantasy world everything would be like The Container Store.
While I’ve figured out that I can’t live there, I can bring a few of the ideas home with me that are practical for my family and give me my Container Store fix.
Closet/Mud Room
Isn’t this a fantastic way to organize and store all that stuff that makes it in the door each day? Backpacks, jackets, scarves, shoes and all that stuff has to have a space and unfortunately, at our house all we have is a few hooks and a drawer. But using the Elfa Closet System you can build any size of closet space that works for your house. And if you are incapable to put it together – you can have someone from The Container Store to install it for you!
Speaking of closets…did you know that The Container Store has more than 100 different types of hangers from you to choose from? They even have a video for that! While my husband would wonder why you might even bother, I have to admit, since having kids, accessories, etc., I’ve learned that there is always the right hanger and it does make a huge difference. I mean can you imagine if Mommy Dearest had all these options? It might have been a whole different life for her!
Office Space
Thankfully our laptops, tablets and smartphones have made it possible to “office” from anywhere, but you still have to have a central places to keep things like supplies, reminders, etc. There are several options that aren’t desk spaces that you can create that are customized for your needs and habits. Urbio Magnetic Modular System is a great option because it is a modular system that allows you to create the perfect space just for you that is also an attractive modern design that is green friendly as well (you may have seen it spotlighted on Shark Tank!)
Cords
My name is Autumn and I hate cords. A lot.
I hate to see them and hate even more to have to figure out which one is which when you have to locate the right one behind your computer or the TV! I’m kinda in love with all these fun ways to not only sort your cords, but label them so you know exactly which cord is which! Talk about a timesaver!
Wrapping Paper/Craft Room
Several years ago I had my grandpa build me the greatest wrapping paper organizer, but if you don’t have an awesome grandpa like me, you still have amazing wrapping paper options at The Container Store. Even if you don’t have a room to devote to your projects, you probably have a closet you can either roll this baby into or a little extra wall space that you can add your wrapping paper and ribbons, too! Talk about all the time you’ll save not pulling out the big bag out of the back of the closet every time you need to wrap a gift or the money you’ll save not running to the store every time you need to wrap a gift because you have everything you need at your fingertips!
Playroom
So maybe the LEGOs aren’t in your happy space – or maybe they are and that’s why you need this LEGO sorter! My son is a HUGE fan of LEGOs and I can’t handle walking into his room and finding all his small blocks on the bottom of my feet! Whether your kids are small builders or heavily invested like mine, you have several fun ways to get your kids to organize their pieces and keep them intact and out of your feet! Many of them are even on sale right now, so it’s the perfect time to get those LEGOs in their place!
Show your appreciation for that special someone with a little help from Zoës Kitchen and this free printable “Seasonings Greetings” from mamachallenge.com. #delivergoodness
Christmas came quick this year (as it seems to do the older you get), so are working to get your last gifts together? Don’t worry you can still do something thoughtful, but still doesn’t take much time or money to put it together?
For me there are many people that make my world happen. From the mail man, the UPS guy, the dry cleaning lady and the gal at the gym, these people all help me make it through any given day. And although I try to say thank you, sometimes a thank you in the from of a small token of appreciation goes a lot farther.
This holiday I was excited to partner with one of my favorite new restaurants, Zoës Kitchen to share how to #delivergoodness the season for their “Selfless Giving” campaign. By coupling their seasoning mix appropriate called “Spice of Life,” a $25 gift card Zoës Kitchen gift card along with this free printable from mamachallenge I had an easy gift that said “THANK YOU!” and Season(ings) Greetings!
Known for healthy and innovative menu items for every palate, Zoës Kitchen, is one of our favorite family g0-tos. And with 165 locations in 14 states (including several in the Dallas/Fort Worth area), it’s makes it easy for anyone to find a location nearby.
While you could make your own seasoning mix for this holiday homemade gift, Zoës Kitchen’s “Spice of Life” can make everything taste that much better. I often use this on a quick way to season veggies or roast a chicken and the kids keep coming back for more. Plus – it’s already bottled and ready for giving when you pick it up at Zoës Kitchen.
For me, I wanted to #delivergoodness to those people who make a big difference in my life and thank you just doesn’t begin to say how much I appreciate them. Here’s how I shared my three of my “Seasonings Greetings” gifts:
Coworker: Working with this coworker for 10 years, she’s not just someone I work with, she’s a friend that has shared birthdays, deaths, births, weddings and more. However, on a daily basis, she’s the one that reminds me when I forgot that action item, prints off an extra agenda when I’m running late, and continues to make me look good, when you have one of “those” mornings.
Neighbor: Oh, this neighbor is also one of my best friends, but she was a neighbor first. She always there to borrow the sugar from, watch the kids in a last-minute pickle, and opens her home for the holidays. I can only aspire to be the hostess with the mostess like her!
School Secretary: I wonder if anyone talks to their school secretary as much as I do. But for every time I need to pick up the kids early, drop them off late or ask them what I missed in the school newsletter, she always answers the phone with a smile. And just think, I bet I’m not the only one. With more than 600 kids at our scho0l, I bet she does the same thing for a lot of other parents.
Here’s the printable available to be printed in small 3.5 X 5 in. size (4 per page), 9 per page, or you can “save as” to download in your own smaller size to be printed with your Seasonings Greetings gift.
Need to get a massage, but don’t have the time? The HoMedics Quad ShiatsuMassageCushion with Heat puts the power of relaxation in your own hands at home.
Do you ever need to sit down and have a moment? Of course, you don’t. Superwoman never needs a break. Well, for the rest of us mere mortals who need to exhale, rest is not kryptonite, but it can be a luxury, especially during this time of year when you’re making lists and checking them twice.
So for those moments that maybe your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner doesn’t want massage those ridiculous knots in your neck and back, you can save the argument and have a little spa treatment all to yourself – massage, mood lightning and something t
The HoMedics Quad ShiatsuMassageCushion with Heat puts the power of relaxation in your own hands – literally. There are 12 massage nodes, 2 massage styles, 3 zones and a soothing heat function. With three massage styles and zone control, this massagecushion puts you in control of your massage experience. Whether you’re looking for a fast, invigorating percussion massage, deep muscle kneading massage, or a gentle rolling massage, the Quad ShiatsuMassageCushion offers it all…and enables you to fully relax after a long day (or year!)
This chair knows all my spots, what buttons to press and adds a little heat just to send small shivers down my spine. If one of the nodes can’t reach the knot, I just readjust myself. It’s really an intimate experience – hurts but feels oh so good. Don’t be scared to let out some of those feelings….even if it does resemble sounds of pleasure.
Thirty minutes later, I got up from my chair feeling relaxed, lose and ready to take on the day! Oh, I must do this again, I thought to myself.
So, the next day, I did just that, except this time, I made a little spa treatment for myself. I grabbed my favorite face mask, lit some holiday-scented candles and poured myself some spicy Chai tea. My husband looked at me with confusion and wondered what I was doing.
“I have a hot date with a chair,” I told him.
Nothing could ever replace my loving husband, but for those nights when I know he’s tired, I can sneak away for some quiet time to my second lover who knows just what to do.
If you have lower back pain, you can set the chair to target those areas. If you prefer kneading to tapping, just press that setting. Or if you’re like me and EVERYTHING hurts after a long day, than just sit back, relax and enjoy those 30 minutes of relaxation. And when the cycle ends, start again. The chair doesn’t get tired.
I felt a little tingle go down my spine as I got up to go to bed. Such a simple night, but so much satisfaction.
Where would you go this holiday? Whether you’re flying in to Dallas or flying out, it’s hard not to love Dallas Love Field.
One of my favorite movies every – especially at the holidays, is Love Actually.
While the characters are witty and the humor is spot on, that opening moment of the movie where everyone is at the airport gets me every time. In just one place, there is so much love of dear ones being reunited after traveling, there’s so much sadness as someone gives that last hug before not seeing them for a long time, there’s the adventure of the first-timer nervously awaiting to board the plane, and the big sigh of relief that comes from that busy person who finally is getting a chance to take that long-awaited vacation. And if you’ve ever been present to see a soldier run to meet his family after months of being on the front lines to fight our country, you’ll shed more than a tear, just as I am thinking about it as I write this post.
The airport is a magical place and for many of the people that work there, that makes them magical, too. Giving guidance to anxious travelers, bumping up the newlyweds to first-class for a memory that will last a lifetime, and putting the wings on an eager little boy as he takes a trip to Disney World. Those are all moments that don’t just make an impact, but also will be remembered sometimes more so than the fancy vacation you went on.
Living in Dallas Fort Worth, we don’t have just one airport to create these moment in – we have two that are home to big names in the aviation business including Southwest Airlines. I can give you a long list of reasons why I love Southwest Airlines (let’s start with the leadership of Herb Kelleher), but when it comes to flying in Dallas, it’s hard not to love Love Field. Whether you’re flying out or flying home, one walk through Love Field, you’ll know why…well why it’s love at first flight. (Get ready for the puns, people.)
10. Proximity. Need to catch a plane at any time of the day, just a few miles and you’re there, through security, and ready to board. And while passengers are the name of their game, they care about their neighbors, too.
9. Cheap airfare. Actually to use the new Southwest Airlines term, tranFAREncy, the airlines that are operated at Love Field, including Southwest Airlines, work to be low-cost providers. Gotta love how fair they are about fares!
8. Pet Love. I mean really love pets. Enough so they’ve even built a place for your pets to go when they need to go.
7. Parking is easy. Well no parking at the airport is easy, but as far as airports go, this one makes it hard to beat to park your car and deliver you to the door. Can we suggest a Love Connection?
6. Big D Shopping. People come to Big D to shop and you can start as soon as you get off the plane. Really. Cowboy boots? Billy Bob’s is ready to fit your feet. Yoga pants? Soybu BLISS gets you in sun salutation in no time flat. Cool kid souvenir? It’s obvious Creative Kidstuff has a gift with your name on it.
5. Love Field Art Program. When else do you have 30+ minutes to just stop and enjoy beautiful works of art than at the airport! Throughout the airport you’ll find several beautiful pieces as well as along the walls, but also a true gallery space called the Love Field Art Program free of charge.
4. Lil’ Love Lounge. Adults get restless at airports, but kids are the worst – and you can’t blame them. That’s why Love Field created a space called the Lil’ Love Lounge to let them play and get out all that energy before they board the plane and make it a long ride for everyone. (Gotta love that, right?)
3. Food Fantasy. Is it wrong that I would seriously consider saying “is it worth a cheap ticket” just to get passed security to eat at Love Field? It’s got everything you could want that makes Dallas what it is from Whataburger, Dickey’s, and legendary Campisi’s to the acclaimed Sky Canyon by Stephan Pyles and beloved Cool River Cafe. There are 20 places to eat and drink while at Love Field including a wine bar. (Love!)
2. Customer Service. It can’t be beat at Love Field. We’ll maybe it can, but smiling faces, personality and just doing the thing that’s right to make your day special is what Southwest Airlines has long been known for. So much so they made a TV show about it. I mean people actually want to be here and will give their time to help you out if you ever come to visit. Get Lost in Love with their volunteer program. (Don’t you just love the name?)
1. It’s called Love Field! Just look at the tail on the plane or the sign on the door, you can’t help but love it when you see a heart and know it’s love.
Are you ready to visit Dallas to see Love Field? Ready to share why you love Love Field or better yet, why you love Southwest Airlines?
You could win $5,000 gift card from Southwest Airlines and Ritz when you enter the #LuvRitzSweepstakes right now – Jan. 31, 2016 by sharing! To get the full contest rules and instructions go to LuvRitz.com right now and while you’re there, vote for your favorite Ritz creation (I’m loving the Jamaica Coconut Pineapple Cheesecake!)
The holidays don’t come cheap, so here are five ways to save money on online shopping!
During the holidays doesn’t it just feel like money just takes wings and flies south for the winter? From buying food for parties to all of the random gift exchanges, my checking account is being pulled in multiple directions. So until we cash in on the Texas Mega Millions, here are my top 5 ways you can find the best deals for your holiday gifts without breaking the bank or a sweat.
A new social deal site that offers deep discounts (30-90%) to consumers in exchange for honest reviews on Amazon products. You read that right. You’re being paid (in the form of coupons) to give your opinion. To purchase an item on Snagshout, customers are given a promo code to purchase the item directly from the brand’s amazon listing.
Surely by now, you’ve heard me talk about Ebates, seen the commercial or maybe even read about here. Well, in case you missed it, here’s the 411. Ebates pays members up to seven percent cash back every time they shop and provides them with amazing Amazon deals. The membership is free and every quarter, they will send your money straight to your house or your PayPal account.
Despite the somewhat creepy name, Slickdeals uses consumer-generated, rating and comments to help them find the the best deals and then displays those deals on the website’s front page for quick and easy access. No more filtering and sorting through pages of products, Slickdeals make it easy to find the right coupons based on category and save up to 50 percent on Amazon purchases.
This free Amazon price tracker shows the price and sale rank history for more than 18 million Amazon products, making it super easy to review the item’s past performance. Once the prices drop, CamelCamelCamel alerts customers via email, Twitter and smoke signal (kidding) helping them determine the right time to spend and save. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about Big Brother CamelCamelCamel price watching.
Last but certainly not least is Amazon Prime. Members receive free two-day shipping on eligible purchases, unlimited streaming of popular movies and television shows, ad-free access to more than a million songs and hundreds of playlists, one Kindle per month from more than 800,000 titles, storage in Amazon Cloud Drive and a patridge in a pear tree. And all of this for only $99/year. Sure that mean like a large one-time purchase, but it pays for itself in shipping costs alone. You can try out the membership in a free 30-day trial to see if you like it, but make sure you cancel it before the trial period is over or they will charge your card for the entire membership.
If you’re a heavy duty Amazon shopper like me, than these website will make your holiday shopping a piece of Christmas fruit cake. So until we find out what resort our money is vacationing at, hopefully these sites will make the holidays a little easier. No one likes a Scrooge after all.
Babies may be hard to buy holiday gifts for since they can’t tell you what they want, but it’s almost as hard to buy for the big kids because there are so many things to choose from! Here’s your lowdown on Eyeopener TV THE hot gifts for big kids this holiday season.
Mattel // Barbie® Dreamhouse® Ages 3+
She’s reigned supreme for your decades so it’s no surprise that Barbie is still at the top of the must-have holiday gifts. And at three stories and seven rooms of endless fun, the Barbie Dreamhouse is still one of the most requested items from Santa. With all the luxe features including a working elevator, built in garage, a pool,and interactive accessories with realistic motion and sound, you’ll find this toy on our list, too.
Dynacraft // Barbie® Bike Ages 4 to 8
Barbie is still a win with her house and this bicycle! Dynacraft’s Barbie® Bike, the last word in fashion-forward biking, brings a 16-inch pink and white BMX and LED light-up frame with sparkle and shine style to fans who believe no outfit is complete without a matching bike. The Barbie bike also has shimmering streamers, a removable handlebar bag and custom Barbie tread tires. An alloy quick release seat post and adjustable training wheels allow the bike to be easily customized to suit riders for comfort and safety.
Mattel // Monster High™ Boo York, Boo York Floatation Station Astranova Ages 6+
The Monster High™ ghouls are heading to Boo York City in their first musical, where they meet their new ‘beast’ friend Astranova, who is out of this world! The newest ghoul comes complete with her own playset that offers “suspenseful” play and display. The Floatation Station features an interactive light show that flashes to the beat of girls’ own music, extending the fun into room décor.
Mattel // Hot Wheels® Ultimate Auto Garage Ages 4+
Packed with mega action and big adventures with more than 35 spots to park your collection! Once you’ve loaded your cars take them on a variety of adventures, including a side-by-side race. The Ultimate Auto Garage, includes five Hot Wheels® vehicles and a helicopter to get the action started.
Matchbox // Treasure Truck Ages 3+
A new rugged, large-scale truck equipped with a real working metal detector, the Treasure Truck raises the bar on exploration by taking the hunt below ground. Activate the truck by pushing the antenna down, which will emit a detection signal and once the truck is roving along a surface, the hunt is on! As the Treasure Truck detects metal, the detection signal will change, and the treasure is ready to be dug up! Grab the scoop and dig deep until the metal is found, using the sifter scoop to separate soil or sand so that only the treasure remains. When the hunt is over, simply raise the antenna to turn off until the next mission begins.
Nintendo // Yo-Kai Watch Bundle Ages 3+
Nintendo has something for everyone, whether you’re a casual player or the most avid kind of gamer. Asa always Nintendo offers the best value for holiday shoppers with great bundles for both the Wii U home console and Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS portable systems. One of the biggest games for the holidays is YO-KAI WATCH for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. The game is a huge cultural phenomenon in Japan and just launched in the United States.
Candy Craft // Chocolate Pen Ages 4+
Draw one-of-a-kind delicious shapes made with real confectioners’ chocolate. Write messages that melt in your mouth. Fill special candy molds with an incredible level of detail and design. The Candy Craft Chocolate Pen Kit includes everything needed to make several artistic treats, including a half pound of premium confectioners’ chocolate in multiple colors, 50 candy molds, multiple pen tips, and gift bags specially made to share your custom candy creations.
HEXBUG® // HEXBUG® Scarab Ages 3+
The HEXBUG® Scarab is an exceptionally high-speed, mechanical, beetle-like robotic bug that skitters around on six angled legs. The high energy micro robotic creature propels itself forwards and backwards, and is capable of popping from its back to its feet if placed upside down. The Scarab’s lifelike behavior is eerily mesmerizing to watch and interact with. Packed with advanced design and engineering, each Scarab has an inner body loaded with robotic intelligence, protected by a hard, transparent exoskeleton casing.
Crayola // Color Alive Ages 4-10
A great stocking stuffer and available in several favorite characters, Crayola Color Alive changes coloring forever by blending traditional coloring with a virtual experience. With a special app and crayon, kids can take coloring to the next level and bring their creations to life. Each Color Alive book comes with 16 action coloring pages that can be brought to life with the Color alive app for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Also included with each book are six crayons and a special color effects crayon.
Brick Builders Club // BrickSwag Ages 5+
BrickSwag is the #1 membership for LEGO fans. Each month includes official LEGO kits to build and keep, exclusive t-shirt, Build magazine, Funky Fig trading cards, and more surprises. Readers receive 20% off their BrickSwag subscription with this exclusive promo code: FAM20. OFFER EXPIRES: 11/20/2015.
I mean REALLY love them. I actually have a room that I store them and love the moment I can put them up and coordinate my wrapping paper for Christmas.
So are you the type who starts putting up their decorations as soon as the turkey leftovers are put in the refrigerator or do you become Martha Stewart and meticulously place each item around your house over the course of a week?
No matter what kind of Christmas are you, At Home has all the supplies, from Christmas trees to stockings to nutcrackers, you need to transform your home into the holiday scene of your choice. Plus, they have a fun quizon their website that will help you narrow down your personal holiday decor style. This quiz will reveal if you choose a traditional Christmas style, Vintage Christmas, Regal Christmas, Nautical Christmas, a Peppermint Jazz-themed Christmas or if you should turn your home into a Winter Wonderland.
TAKE THE QUIZ
To start, we have to take a virtual tour of your home. First stop – your dining room. Table setting is everything! It will be the centerpiece of your home as family and friends gather around to share in holiday feast that you, no doubt, have slaved over for hours. It will be the focal point of pictures as the ham, prime rib or lamb is sliced. Glasses and glasses of wine will be consumed at this table followed by countless slices of pie. This is where the magic happens. So, let your table start your holiday decor theme. You can wrap the table in gold, gold or more gold or keep it traditional with light touches of red, white and green. Whatever you choose, your table setting will set the tone for your whole house. And who knows, it may even go viral if you post it on Pinterest.
Next, we’ll venture into the family room/den/whatever you call the main area where your family hangs out. After ornaments, stockings are probably my favorite part of Christmas decorations. They represent my family – new additions, life transitions and everything in between. Stocking are special pieces of fabric that hang from the mantle and remind us what’s really important during the holidays seasons.
The most important thing to remember when determining what kind of decor you choose is all the visitors you will have during the holidays. And no, I don’t mean your dear Aunt Sally who smears on the lipstick before slobbering your cheek. No, I’m talking about that jolly guy with rosy cheeks and a cloud-like beard. Will you leave him milk & cookies on a festive red-and-white plate or maybe you’ll DIY the setting and wrap it in burlap or place in a white and gold sparkly cup.
Finally, let’s go outside, what object will greet your guests this holiday season? I don’t want any ghosts of Christmas pasts or Krampuses entering my home, so I will always find something festive that will put my visitors in the best mood as soon as they get to the porch. You can keep it simple and place a nice wreath on the door or make it colorful and fun with a festive elf or singing Santa – just add a little touch of holiday cheer.
Now walk a little bit further and turn around. What do you see? That’s right, your house! Because at the end of the day, it’s not just a house, but your home. It’s your personal piece of property where memories are made year round. So it really doesn’t matter if you pay an interior designer to decorate your home or if a Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree provides the perfect bit of holiday cheer.
I love holiday parties….especially the ones that allow me to catch up with other adults and don’t require me to wipe anyone’s bottom.
Best of all they give you an excuse to get dolled up and wear sequins (even if it’s not that kind of party.)
But with the stress of the holidays, even if my dress is sparkly, my face can sometimes be dull and tired. Or worst of all, if I resemble Rudolph from all the stress and late nights going to bed without cleaning my face.
So to save women (and men) everywhere from taking their skin into their own hands with a DIY solution, Facelogic Spa is offering a blemish obliterator treatment at no cost Dec. 15 and Dec. 29. Drinks and lite bits will be served, too!
I’ve long been a been a big fan of Facelogic…They always can get me in and understand my crazy schedule to be no fuss and all relaxation when I come in. Also, Facelogic makes spa treatments affordable by their services for 20% than other other places. And the blemish elimination couldn’t be easier. With just one zap, the high-frequency technology clears up most skin breakouts in 24-48 hours. Don’t be alarmed – like most skincare treatments, the skin purges itself of toxins, dead skin cells and anything that prevents the blow. By day 2, dewy, blemish-free skin is revealed and you are ready for those parties!
The non-invasive treatment is safe for all ages and all skin types, and the results will leave you speechless: reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, skin tightening, reduction of fine lines, fading of dark circles and puffiness around the eye and just overall healthier skin.
And just in case you were wondering – if you were to pay for this treatment on any other day, the 15-minute express service would cost you $25 by itself or $15 if you combined it with a facial.
So consider this a little gift from Facelogic when you need it most with quick clear skin for Christmas.
This offer is open to the public with walk-ins or reservations accepted. However, if you’re really in a spot to get that spot off your face, I’d suggest you make an appointment to make sure you’re picture perfect this holiday season!
