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My #NFMWish List: Nebraska Furniture Mart Texas Opens Soon

March 4, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

As a mom, I mark my life into two parts, B.C. – before children and A.D. – after the destruction (aka NOW.)

Before Children I had finally gave away that hand-me-down furniture from college and upgraded to the real stuff. I was so proud of it and thought that I was set for life…Ummm – no. Now in A.D, while those babies start off doing nothing but sitting on the floor and cooing, we all know once they’re mobile, it’s over. And throw in Birddie, our lab, into the mix…I need new furniture.

So now it’s time to replace with something with a little more style. And with Nebraska Furniture Mart Texas is opening in DFW this spring very soon and a special preview pass available March 11-18, I can barely keep myself contained. After I had a chance to take a sneak peek at the distribution center that is more than 22 football fields in size, I’m pretty sure I found about a 100 things I wanted. However, I have narrowed it down to a few must-haves as my #NFMWishList for now and would love a little feedback to see what you think!

Sony 55″ Class 1080p 3D LED HDTV with Built-in Wi-Fi

I can’t even tell you how bad we need a TV. The kids have almost demolished the one in the living room (I don’t even know what technology it is) and thank goodness it still works with a huge crack in it. This baby from Sony is the most current technology with LED & 3D. While that sounds all kinds of impressive, the WiFi capabilities and its under $1k make it very impressive.

Stein World 4 Door Credenza with Cutout in Oak

I won’t tell you what the state of our entry way table looks like right now, but it has to go or I need a really pretty 10-foot doily to fix it. This credenza is absolutely a showstopper and will make a big impression as you enter the front door.

Mannington Mountain View Autumn Hickory Hand Scraped Hardwood

Gotta love that NFM has more than just furniture and electronics….they have hardwood floors too! These remind me of that rustic look I fell in love with in Napa and would look amazing in my entry way. And the fact they are called Autumn anything wins me over anytime.

50″ Wooden Wine Rack

Do I really need to explain why I need a new wine holder that resembles a riddling rack made for turning champagne?

Wild Weave 1609 Jacqueline Rug

Once I get that beautiful hardwood, I’ll need a few beautiful rugs for the floor. NFM has tons of options and while this one is not as grandiose as the $18 as the Khyber Flora rug from Due Process on sale for $16,699.99, I think it’s pretty swanky.

King I Super Pillow Top Mattress

Remember the part about the two kids and a dog? Yep, they are all potty-trained now…but not then. And if I only get 4-5 hours of sleep every night, I want them to be good.

Fine Funiture Design Highlands Game Table and 4 Chairs in Rustic Cherry

Oh, I really really want this one – and so does the hubby. We do have a man cave and there sits the only piece of furniture left from the college years – one beat up table and chairs. We use them all the time, but man, they are ugly. This set takes it to the next level for comfort, style and of course, functionality.

Sounds like I want a lot (I do) , but if I win the , I can buy one or more of these things for free…unless of course, you win the giveaway!

You only have until March 8 to sign up for your early shopping pass!

Best Guacamole Recipe Ever

February 24, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 22 Comments

When I was growing up I remember one of my friend’s moms would make flour homemade tortillas after school and she’d give them to us right off the burner, soft and warm. We’d take a few hot bites, then add butter and cinnamon, and finally roll them up for the most amazing snack ever.

After that I was ruined for any tortillas that ever came out of the package. I mean once you get the real thing, you don’t really go back.

Apparently I’m not the only one who loves tortillas. I mean this guy has it so bad he made a song about it.

Anyhow, me and this guy aren’t alone since there’s a whole day dedicated too…it’s National Tortilla Chip Day.

And just like when I was growing up, I’m celebrating this tortillarific day with fresh-made Market Street Deli-Style Chips found only in the deli at Market Street. Made daily with a special blend of seasoning on a light, airy and crispy chip, you’ll need new dip recipes just to keep up with your new chip addiction.

While guacamole also deserves its love song, on National Tortilla Day, we’re sharing the love with the best guacamole recipe ever. Based on this recipe from one of my favorite restaurants in North Texas (and lucky for me, a client, too!), FnG Eats is known for taking your favorites and adding a twist. As part of their well-known Triple Threat Dip, the Roqamolé is their killer guacamole with bleu cheese. There’s a reason they call this dip a threat… you think you’ll just try a little dip on a chip and then you lick the plate. Of course, to meet my hubs taste for a little extra heat, we made our own twist.

I love bleu cheese and guacamole, so for me this is the perfect trifecta when paired with Market Street Deli-Style Chips.

Bleu Cheese Guacamole

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 avocado, large
2 Tbsp pico de gallo
2 Tbsp bleu cheese
1 tsp cilantro, minced
1/8 tsp chile powder
1 jalapeno, chopped
Fresh lime juice from 1 lime
Favorite seasoning mix

Instructions

Scoop avocado in to mixing bowl and mash until smooth.
Add remaining ingredients and mix with rubber spatula.

What’s your favorite way to dip your chip?

The Skinny on MiniLuxe Dallas {Giveaway}

February 19, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

For me, getting my nails and toes done are much more than pretty polish.

It’s about taking time to breathe, to feel good about myself and just take care of me.

Unfortunately, that “me time” is often only found after kids’ bed times and when my eyelids finally fall heavy…and well after any nail place is still willing to buff, paint and polish or rib any hair from my eyebrows.

That is until now.

With the utmost in cleanliness, hours that work for me, and even an app to set my appointment, MiniLuxe is prepared to meet my needs and a whole lot more.

The first of 10 North Texas locations, MiniLuxe, in the West Village Shopping Center, is the NEW nail, waxing and brow salon changing the status quo of traditional nail salons. MiniLuxe is committed to eliminating or drastically reducing the use of toxic chemicals, redefining and elevating hygiene and improving client service standards and labor practices.

Every MiniLuxe location has a high-tech “Clean Lab” that uses ultrasonic debris removal and hospital-grade level sterilization for metal instruments. All non-metal components (nail files and buffers) are offered to the client or disposed for them after each use. MiniLuxe technicians never “double-dip” when it comes to waxing and specially designed jet-free pedicure tubs ensure foot-soaking water is never recirculated.

Any scrub or body cream product used paraben and sulfate free. All nail lacquer on the polish wall is at least 3-free (no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalates or toluene), and their own MiniLuxe brand polish is 5-free (also excludes camphor and formaldehyde resin). Even the paint on the walls is handpicked to protect you from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The MiniLuxe menu features nail, brow, waxing and lash services, in addition to private event services for birthdays, bridal shoszwers and weddings, corporate occasions and other special events:

Mani and Pedis
A wide variety of manicure and pedicure options including signature, gel and a simple color change. They also offer the TeenyLuxe mani or pedi for little ones under 10, as well as the Preggi Pedi, a safe and gentle full-service pedicure for moms-to-be.
Brows
Keep it clean with professional brow services performed by our expert shaping, waxing and threading specialists.
Waxing
Stay smooth with private and professional waxing available for bikini, face, underarm and more.
Lashes
Boost lash length and volume with extensions from MiniLuxe’s expert lash artists
For the Gents
Designed for the discerning gentleman, these manicures and pedicures use unscented lotion with the choice of a buff or polish.
Group Booking
They can accommodate private parties up to 20 people.

Ready to go like right now? MiniLuxe is offering one lucky MamaChallenge fan a mani-pedi package! Just enter now for your chance to experience the MiniLuxe Difference!

MiniLuxe

West Village
Monday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
www.MiniLuxe.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free Printable Checklist for Just Between Friends Sale (JBF)

February 11, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 4 Comments

Hitting up a consignment sale in your neck of the woods? Then make sure to be prepared with this free printable checklist, perfect for Just Between Friends JBF Sale.

If you’ve been following MamaChallenge.com, you’ve seen my incredible kid buys at Just Between Friends Sale. Twice a year I take inventory of what clothes and sizes the kids have and need and then head to the JBF Sale to find great deals on tons of clothes for both my kids for the next 1-2 seasons.

With , it’s time to make my list! But this time I’ve gotten rid of my stack of Post-its and scratch paper and have devised a simpler way to get all my sizes and my want list for JBF in just one place with this checklist.

All you need to do is download the printable, take it to the kids’ closets and then write what you need, what size the child is wearing now and will be next season, and what other items you might need for the next months. Then bring it to the sale so you stay on target while you show the biggest consignment sale in Texas!

PDF | GOOGLE DOC

Another thing you are going to want to bring to the sale – a coupon for free admission! (Just print or show on your phone at the entrance to the show.)

A few changes this year make it really worth it to go. For the first-time parents & grandparents can sign-up to shop early as well as volunteering & consigning will get you an early pre-sale pass!

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Hello Fresh! Fresh Food Delivery

February 9, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

While people are more busy than ever, we are also much more cognizant of what we are putting in their bodies AND our children’s.

Thankfully, there’s been a resurgence in the concept of farmer’s markets; consumers demanding for fresh and organic groceries. However, with a little help from technology we now can have our veggies and eat ’em, too with fresh food delivery.

Hello Fresh, Plated and others have made it so easy to create delicious meals with fresh ingredients by not only setting your menu, preparing all the ingredients and then sending it straight to your door. All you have left to do is to put it in a pan and in about 20 minutes, dinner is served.

But here in DFW, an organization called the Cold Springs Farm isn’t just sending it to your door, but are bringing the farmer’s market directly to you – giving you the choice to purchase exactly what you want by picking your fruits and veggies right off their mobile market.

Photo: Cold Springs Farm

The Veggie Van (#TheFarmacy) offers organic, SEASONAL, local veggies and fruits! Delivery is included in the price. You can order one time, or you can set up automatic weekly, bi-weekly or monthly delivery. In order to shop from the Veggie Van you must be at home, however the Veggie Van driver will also select produce and leave it for you if you’re not available for delivery. The Veggie Van happily delivers to your office if that is better for you…

If someone wants to “shop” the Veggie Van, they place an order using this link: https://squareup.com/market/cold-springs-farm and then they’ll coordinate a delivery location!

No membership is required to shop the Veggie Van, it is a completely different entity than the farm’s CSA. The farm’s CSA is the best value, and membership is required. Cost is $335 for an 8-week session which meets in the cultural district of Fort Worth.

And soon they’ll also allow you to add Heritage poultry and pork from Cold Springs Farm, Grass-fed Natural beef from Grassy Ridge Natural Beef, and grass-fed lamb from Sterling Lamb to your order.

Now that you have all that delicious produce, you have tons of options for meals! I have a super easy and incredibly delicious dressing recipe that will pair well with your salad and roasted vegetables!

Valentine’s Day Crafts for the Kids

February 7, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 13 Comments

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, not money or spending countless hours finding the perfect “thing.” Instead spend time together making these Valentine’s Day Crafts for the Kids something that you’ll enjoy creating as much as you will enjoying eating them!

I featured these make-and-dos on Fox Good Day Saturday.

Heart-Shaped Cake

Using two cake mixes and a cookie cutter, make a cake or bread that gets to the “heart” of the matter with a secret heart! What a great way to celebrate the holiday or to give as a gift.

Valentine’s Day Lunch Box

Making a healthy lunch together makes it fun to prepare for the next day’s meal OR you can make it a surprise when they open their lunch box. Best of all it only takes a few minutes to pack this V-day lunch box. Using strawberries, cheese sticks and toothpicks, we’ve created these Cupid’s heart and arrows.

An added bonus: Healthy Valentine’s Day pouches that double as a healthy Valentines for your kids!

Red Velvet Oreo Cake Balls

Red Velvet anything is a win, but when paired with an Oreo cookie, it’s downright heavenly. I may have lost some pounds with Jenny Craig, but these cookies I found at Market Street better find a new home because they aren’t going to last more than a day at the rate they are going right now. With only three ingredients and almost no cooking, your kids will love making these Oreo Cookie Balls with their hands. The most important thing to remember: Buy at least two bags of Red Velvet Oreos – one to make the cake balls and another bag to eat. (Just saying…)

Get the Recipe Here

Love-themed Art

I love any time you can take a memory or personalized moment like using your kid’s hand and foot prints. We’ve used them for all kinds of adorable crafts, but this time we’ve made artwork that you might actually put on your wall all year long using just canvas, paint and a little patience!

Coffee-Filter Flowers

A beautiful bouquet of flowers are normally a #1 choice at Valentine’s Day, but let’s be honest, they die after only a week. Using some left-over coffee filters (remember those things you have in the back of the cabinet after you got your Keurig) and some tape, you can make your own custom-made flowers and they last forever! Add a little food coloring and you can even change colors!

For more Valentine’s Day make and do including BACON ROSES, check out these treats including a free printable!

Or if you’re really out of time, but want to show you love them, you can always pick up a heart-shaped Papa Murphy’s HeartBaker Pizza (now until Feb. 14), stick it in the oven and claim it as your own.

The pizza is made from scratch with fresh dough in the shape of a heart and is topped with traditional red sauce, generous portions of 100 percent whole milk mozzarella cheese and premium pepperoni slices. It’s perfect for busy moms and those who want to celebrate the occasion without a lot of work, but with that ‘extra something’ that’s quick, easy and served fresh to your family. Priced at $7-$8 depending on your Papa Murphy’s location, it’s a steal. Many locations are also offering a ‘Sweetheart Deal’ for $11 which includes the HeartBaker and a S’Mores dessert pizza.

Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.

Whatever you do, just remember to love it! After all, it’s Valentine’s Day!

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

NEW: Michaels Southlake with Grand Opening Giveaways

February 6, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

If you’ve EVER needed anything the least bit crafty, you’ve been to Michaels.

For me it’s like going to fantasy land with tons of things that I’m dying to make (even if I never will.) The ideas are endless and the solutions for everything are all at your fingertips, especially if you aren’t artsy fartsy, this place MAKES you look like you are.

So to be honest, there’s no reason to persuade you go to go to Michaels – you should know it’s amazing already, they always have great deals and you’re gonna love this news. And if you haven’t, you’ve been missing out and it’s now time to come to the motherland or AKA Michaels new store in Southlake!

I stopped in earlier this week to get a sneak peek at the store and the new features Michaels has at work – like bigger location signs (so you know where to go), the Make Market (think farmer’s market, chalkboard everything and denim) and one of my favorite features, marquee signs – with options to even build your own from scratch with bulb colors, different designs and more!) And that was all in the first aisle!

Stop by this Sunday to see the new Southlake Michaels store for yourself for their Grand Opening celebration– located at 1051 E. Southlake Blvd (it’s in the same complex as the new The Fresh Market).

Plan to get there early – the first 100 in line receive mystery gift cards of $10-$100!

There’s Valentine’s Day fun for you (and the kids) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a performance by the Carrol Dragon Cheer Squad at 9:45 a.m., followed by hourly prize giveaways and a DJ from 3-5p.m.

While you’re there, take note of the new store look and check out the new Make Market line for DIY project and home décor ideas – all made with simple, on-trend surfaces and textures like chalk, denim, galvanized, burlap and cork.

Nebraska Furniture Mart Takes Everything is Bigger in Texas to New Level {Video}

February 6, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

“Sell cheap and tell the truth,” is the business strategy that started Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1937 by the founder Mrs. Rose Bumpkin in the basement of her husband’s downtown shop in 1937.

And as Nebraska Furniture Mart prepares to open its doors in the a few weeks in DFW, it’s still the premise that defines the 1,857,000 sq. ft. facility and doubles the company’s workforce.

TAKE A LOOK AT MAMACHALLENGE’S HOT PICKS AT NFM

You can’t say that you can’t appreciate them for keeping business simple. However, after my insider’s peek at the megastore, you can’t call any part of NFM Texas basic, however, they did take the idea “that everything is bigger in Texas” to a whole new level.

The mega-big box anchors the $1.5 billion, 433-acre Grandscape project being built by Berkshire Hathaway and will set the ground for several restaurants and hotels planned over the coming years.
A four-story attached garage has 2,200 parking spaces and allows customers to enter on both floors. An additional 2,000 spots are available on surface lots.
A 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center is attached, where customers can pick up their purchases.
The store will have 100,000 pieces of furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics, organized by category. And the selection of floor rugs of every size, appliances at every price point and brand and even the small gadgets like your can openers and blenders, will be about to be purchased at NFM.

We all know that bigger doesn’t always mean better, customers will be guaranteed to receive the best price on the market by daily markdowns that compare the NFM is beating other store’s prices. And if you do find it somewhere else, you will be able to bring it back for the difference.

VIDEO TOUR OF NEBRASKA FUNITURE STORE

Post by Nebraska Furniture Mart.

So while we all wait in hesitation to see NFM in action, you can make sure you are on the list to be one of the first customers to visit when it opens its doors this spring. Just sign up and they will email you an early pass to experience Nebraska Furniture Mart for yourself.

GET YOUR EARLY PASS BEFORE FEBRUARY 28!

ClassPass: All the Class with One Pass

January 30, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 14 Comments

~~I like to work out.~~

I like to work out as long as it’s something fun.

If you tell me my workout plan is two, back-to-back days of the cardio machine, I’m out.

But who wants to pay for five memberships just so you can enjoy your yoga in one neighborhood but your crossfit in another? No one. That just doesn’t make sense.

But this does: Meet CLASS PASS, the new pass to be able access hundreds of workout studios all over Dallas/Fort Worth with one pass and one price. For less than $100 a month you can hit up everything you could want to try and didn’t even know existed, with just one price.

Sounded like a good idea on paper (or online in this case), so I decided to take my CLASSPASS (affiliate link) for a little test drive to see if it was as easy as it says.

Opening my account I was able to search neighborhoods for participating studios as well as different types of classes.

First stop: Spin.

I love spin. Really, I do. I have enjoyed many spin class at FlyWheel Dallas, but this time it was time to see what Cowtown had to offer at an aptly named, “Off the Saddle” studio.

I was able to learn about the studio, my instructor and with a quick click, make an appointment for the day I wanted to come in. (You’re asked for 24 hours to make your appointment online and/or to cancel a reservation.) Done.

I got a nifty reminder of my class (actually a few so you don’t forget). Once I got there, I have them my name, they checked me off and I was ready to ride. That easy and no special paperwork or nothin’. Sweet.

So was the ride of my whole new kind of spinning – literally off the saddle and almost standing the majority of the class. It rocked. And as compared to spin classes I’ve taken in Dallas? It just like when you compare Dallas to Fort Worth…Dallas is like a big, kickin’ party and Fort Worth was fun, laid back and just the right speed. Both gave me awesome work outs; it was all about my mood for the day. But both of them definitely utilized the disco lights. (If you’re really confused, then you should go to both just to see what I mean.)

Seeing it was really THAT easy to try something out, I decided to go really wild for a Lyra Hoop class. Don’t worry that’s not like hula hooping in your pantyhose, but a hoop suspended from the ceiling that you dance, move and stuff through. Well, just look here.

Was it hard? Um, yes. It was a workout once I got my ass in the hoop, but as you see there are not pictures of that since I left my camera on the floor as I got in the hoop and then was too tired to jump down to get it and try to get back in. That literally a one-time shot and I missed it. But I got up there. Really, I did. Mostly I wanted these women slither in and out like fairies in total amazement thinking: “go do some situps, Autumn.” This work out is not for the faint at heart, but man it’s lots of fun (think bachelorette party!)

What was crazy about Moving Canvas Dance Studio was its location…two miles from my house and I had NO idea. It offers all kinds of other workout fun like hip-hop dancing (calling to my inner Beyonce) or Burlesque (channeling the early-years inner Cristina Aguilera.) And then I came across even more fun with silks…Yep Arial dancing.

I thought Lyra was hard, well silks was harder…and it wasn’t. There was some stuff I couldn’t imagine doing and then some other stuff like a hanging cow (that wasn’t really the name, but I felt like one) that I was able to get up there once I started singing the “Rocky” theme sock in my ear. I was awesome for about two minutes. I still have ever intention of channeling my Cirque de Soleil, but until then I think there’s a little more Jenny Craig and some pull ups in my near future.

To finish off my 10-day try-it out challenge, I went a little less wild. I decided it was time to try Bikram Yoga of North Texas.

I love yoga and have done it for a long time at a lot of places (if you really want a laugh you should read about my yoga pose: passing wind), but I had never done true Bikram. At 105 degrees I wasn’t sure how different it would be except hot and sweaty, which it really was for the entire 90-minutes I was there. But it was AMAZEBALLS. I looked like a wet cat and smelled like a boys locker room when I got done, but I could tell I had detoxed, burned calories, increased flexibility and avoided my smart phone for 90-minutes. I felt the zen – at least until I picked up my kids, but it was totally worth it. And then I went back a few more times since it only gets better the more you go.

So what are you waiting for? With a no-contract, no-fuss CLASSPASS you have all the flexibility you want as well as all the ease. And if you really want to try it out really cheap…right now they’ll even give you a 10-day pass for $10. Can’t really beat that or all the calories you can burn just by going first class with CLASSPASS.

What workout or new fitness trend are you excited to try?

Modmarket: Smart. Happy. Healthy. Food. Now. in Dallas

January 27, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 8 Comments

When you think about what you want to eat shouldn’t that make you happy? But is it so much to ask for food that makes and keep you happy and healthy?

That’s the smart idea that brought Modmarket to Dallas/North Texas area (straight from Colorado) around a year ago to Flower Mound, then Plano and now to Dallas’ Preston Hollow neighborhood.

Our eating philosophy is quite straightforward, actually. We serve real food, which means using whole ingredients (things like whole grain flour, raw vegetables, fruits, legumes…you get the idea). We also incorporate real butter (gasp!) and quality meats and cheeses in our recipes. And we cook it all the way it was done hundreds of years ago – raw, grilled, or cooked in a stone hearth oven. We avoid things like preservatives and artificial sweeteners and keep our ingredient lists short and sweet. We make things from scratch, which is a total pain, but it makes our food taste better.

There’s a little bit of everything from breakfast to dinner and whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a total carnivore, you’ll come out happy with any of the dishes they have. However, it’s the pizza, sandwiches and salads that make me the happiest. Here’s a few we felt the need to “research…”

: Corn on Pizza? With creme fraiche, bacon, spinach and fresh corn, you just need one bite to know this is the happy part of the menu…the healthy not as much, but today it will make you happy.

: I’m hungry and love this closeup photo of all the goodness that is this pizza. You could go gluten-free if you wanted. What does it matter when you have this on top?

: Mmmm…M’Rita: Fresh Mozzarella, Organic Red Sauce, Basil, Whole Grain Dough.

: Of course, we’re in Texas so we’d BBQ it: BBQ BBQ Sauce, Roasted Chicken, Red Onions, Green Onion, Pepper Jack Cheese, Cilantro, Whole Grain Dough

: Go Meaty with the FLAT IRON: Mixed Greens, Grilled Steak, Roasted Potato, Gorgonzola Cheese, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Balsamic Vinaigrette

: Better to chew than gum with the Wintergreen: Spinach, Goat Cheese, Roasted Potato, Walnuts, Apple, Dates, Agave Herb Vinaigrette

: This basil chicken sandwich isn’t kidding. It’s

: Your calorie count of what you ate is included on your reciept.

Get the whole menu for your preferred Modmarket location online.

FLOWER MOUND
3651 Justin Road
Suite 100
Flower Mound, TX 75028
P. 469.312.5180

PLANO
8400 Preston Road
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
P. 469.573.6074

PRESTON HOLLOW
7949 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75230
Opening February 4

Ready to go get you some healthy, happy, fresh and fantastic food at Modmarket? One lucky winner wins $25 Gift Card to Modmarket.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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