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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Snag an Invite to Grapevine Mills Private Shopping Event + Giftcard {Giveaway}

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Me Mondays:

Have you ever wanted to find out what happens at blogger events? Well here is your chance! Grapevine Mills Mall, one of DFWs premiere shopping + entertainment outlets, is hosting an exclusive, invitation-only event on August 1 complete with: 
  • A Style Presentation
  • Cocktails and Appetizers
  • A swag bag of special gifts
  • A $25 Simon Mall Gift Card
  • An interactive tour with a chance to win a $250 Simon American Express Gift Card!
Wanna go? 
I’m super excited, but even better, they are allowing me to bring one one of you for a fun night of shopping, girl time and good swag!  

Are you ready for a great evening of sizzling summer of style & savings? All you have to do is enter this giveaway, open now until July 30, 2013 at midnight via Rafflecopter. 

 So what are you waiting for? ENTER NOW!


Have a Blast This Independence Day at Horseshoe Bay Resort

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There’s something said for tradition, but there’s also said for doing something different – especially when it comes to seeing and experiencing new places. 
 
While trying to research a few quick, fun, family getaways, I was “lucky” to find Horseshoe Bay Resort in the heart of Texas Hill Country, on the shore of constant-level Lake LBJ.

 
Named a recipient of Trip Advisor’s 2013 Certificate of Excellence, this 7,000 acre resort offers a multitude of amenities including a full-service marina, spa, tennis, golf (like serious golfing here), fun activities such as banana-boat rides on the lake and 8 dining options all in one place. Basically, this place has something for everyone for your family. (Which is great when parents are looking to enjoy their vacation alongside the kids!) 

 
And right now, this one-of-a-kind resort is gearing up for their all-star Fourth of July weekend with their seventh annual Red, White & Blue BBQ, music, lakeside fun, land and boat parades, fire dancers. a concert by Fastlane (an Eagles Tribute Band) and amazing fireworks over the lake.  


And of course, that’s not all, folks! (Cue up the music!) 

Also during the fun-filled weekend, guests will stay busy with family-friendly activities including kids’ banana boat rides, guided fishing tours on Lake LBJ, rubber ducky races, scavenger hunts and more. For a complete list of activities available during the Fourth of July weekend, and throughout the summer, check out the Horseshoe Bay Resort Summer Activity Guide.


Thinking this might be just the plan for you? Here’s a great package that makes a getaway what it’s supposed to be – a way to getaway that’s easy to book and no planning to do! 

Patriotic Fourth of July Family Package
Starting at $429, the Patriotic Fourth of July Family Package includes:
  • Standard accommodations
  • Daily breakfast buffet at Lantana Grill
  • Seventh annual Red, White & Blue BBQ at Yacht Club or Lantana Grill on July 4
  • Fireworks display over Lake LBJ on July 4
  • Pool party on July 5
  • A performance by Fastlane on July 6
  • $100 in resort credit for two nights, $150 in resort credit for three nights
  • One Patriotic Fun Pack for children ages 3-12 ($70 retail value)
  • Complimentary sodas for children ages 3-12

Horseshoe Bay Resort
200 Hi Circle North
Horseshoe Bay, Texas 78557
Website

This post is also shared on Mom2MomDFW, a part of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.com. 


Want-it Wednesday: Give Your Bedroom a Facelift

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Want-it Wednesdays:

Do you ever just feel like if you changed up the look of a room it would change everything? You would feel less stress and more together if your room, especially your bedroom, looked like it came straight from the Pottery Barn catalog or photos from Pinterest?

Yes, me too.

Actually I designed our bedroom and I still like it, but after seven years, it’s worn on me and a need a fresh breathe of air. Unfortunately, my pocketbook doesn’t need to see the light of day.


Thank goodness for giveaways.


Ready for your bedroom to go from weak to chic? Enter the UGallery / Crane & Canopy “Bedroom Makeover” Contest by May 6 for a chance to win a $250 credit to UGallery and a $250 credit to Crane & Canopy. That’s a combined $500 for new art, new bedding and a brand-new bedroom look!



UGallery is a unique online art gallery offering affordable art for sale from the nation’s most talented mid-career and emerging artists. UGallery’s team of art experts carefully select and curate each artist and piece that’s exhibited so that you can purchase artwork online with real confidence.
What UGallery does with art, Crane & Canopy does with bedding. They’re an innovative online home goods company, offering beautifully designed, high-quality bedding without the department store mark-up.
Enter the UGallery and Crane & Canopy contest to upgrade your bedroom and sleep in style!
Never to be one not prepared, I’ve prepicked my favorites in case I win or you win and want to donate your gift card to a friend in need (i.e. me.)

And while this one doesn’t match, I have to include this artist because her name is Autumn Rose. 
Acylic painting, “Scarlet” by Autumn Rose

I’d love to see what you’d pick out if you won! 

Remember to enter by May 6 for the UGallery / Crane & Canopy “Bedroom Makeover” Contest for a chance to win a $250 credit to UGallery and a $250 credit to Crane & Canopy. 

Love Her Locks with Lucky Little Lolly {Giveaway}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

It’s no secret I love that I had a little girl and that I love to dress her up! Unfortunately, she doesn’t love bows right now, but when she finally let’s me get my hands on her ringlets, she will have a serious inventory to select from! The one I’m most excited about it the one from the amazing hands of Lucky Little Lolly. 

Photo credit: http://www.renmorrisonphotography.com
Made by local Dallas part-time stay-at-home mom, part-time law office manager/associate lawyer and full-time creative, Ashley Thomann didn’t search out to create a hair accessory business. Like many moms, after she had her little girl, she began crafting bows to style her daughter’s hair. When she received countless comments on her clips and bows, she realized she was on to something. Thus, Lucky Little Lolly was born. 

Photo credit: http://www.renmorrisonphotography.com

But a bow doesn’t begin to describe the accessories Ashley has created. Honestly, each one is a little piece of art (just check out the LLL shop on Etsy) using luxurious fabrics and materials to create flowers, fascinators and now even adult couture accessories. And she continues to share her creative genius with moms like myself who might need a lesson (or two) on how to create a boutique bow, she’s loaded up a tutorial on her blog!  

But her kindness doesn’t end there! 


One lucky reader is going to win a $20 gift card to Lucky Little Lolly. (And unfortunately, it can’t be me, but I let you donate it to me if you want to!) 


Want-It Wednesday: Wake Up Your Wardrobe with Stella & Dot Bracelet & Earrings {Giveaway}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

Do you need to wake up your wardrobe? You’re in luck! 


I’m giveaway this Secret Garden bracelet and earring set from Stella & Dot! All you have to do is enter the giveaway, which begins today until Saturday, April 6 at 11:59 PM. 


To enter: just or visit my Facebook page TODAY. 

Also, remember I’m hosting a “Wake Up Your Wardrobe” Spring Trunk Show! And right now Spend $50 and get 50% off your purchase AND we’re also giving away another necklace to one lucky person who makes a purchase. Best of all, this month when you buy something from my trunk show, a portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Awareness Month!

So what are you waiting for? 



Food Friday: Texas Turkey Club Burger {Recipe} and {Giveaway}

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Food Fridays:

On Fridays our family normally likes to go out to eat together to celebrate the end of the week and the start of the weekend. Unfortunately, going out with a 4-year-old and an 18-month-old to a restaurant can sometimes be more work than I’m willing to take on, especially if it’s been a LONG week. So mama has opted a few Fridays to bring the “going out” experience home with quick and tasty meals that my kids love and still feel like they are “Friday night dinner appropriate!” 

 Since burgers are a win-win at my house, this tasty recipe I put together seemed to marry all the favorite ingredients in the family together and all with a little kick from Jennie-O! 


Jennie-O Texas Turkey Club Burger


Serving Note: A package of Jennie-O Turkey Store Jalapeno Jack Burgers contains six patties, so choose your serving size based on your family size! For our family, we do 4 patties. Also, the only place you can purchase these burgers is WalMart until the end of March!

 1 package of Jennie-O Turkey Store Jalapeno Jack Burgers 
1 package of Jennie-O Turkey Bacon
1 package of Wholly Guacamole Classic 100 calorie Snack Pack Dip
4 tablespoons of mayonnaise (optional)
4 slices of cheese: provolone or swiss 
8 slices of Texas Toast 
3 tablespoons butter
Optional: sliced tomatoes and lettuce

 Fry turkey bacon according to package directions. 

 Cook turkey patties according to package directions by cooking well done, 165 degrees F (takes around 5-6 minutes on both sides.) 

Spread butter on bread and use skillet to toast until golden brown. 

 Spread mayo/mustard on slices of toast. Add turkey pattie, 3 slices of bacon, cheese and then add guacamole on the top to taste (I like a lot!) Also in complete club style, you can add tomotoes and lettuce if you choose. Even without the vegetables, this is a very tasty and healthy “burger.” 


Want more Jennie-O and Wholly Guacamole fun with me?  Check out these posts: 

Wholly Moly! Making Healthy & Quick Dinners Possible with Dips?


Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/11/27/4443121/stuff-dads-stocking-with-this.html#storylink=
Connect: 
Find Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O on Facebook or follow Twitter at @EatWholly and @SwitchToTurkey. Also find recipes on the Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O website! 

GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Want to win a Wholly Guacamole and Jennie-O giveaway prize pack? 
You can win: 
Wholly Guacamole FREE coupons (valued at $24)
Jennie-O FREE coupons (valued up to $10)
Turkey meat thermometer and other fun promotional items 

*ENTER NOW*


The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I received product in exchange for this review and post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Monogram Mama: Custom Creations

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Welcome to the $300 Custom Creations Giveaway Event!

Organized by Mom Powered Media

Every piece of personalized jewelry is handcrafted by Elisha and the team at Metal Pressions. Every letter, number, punctuation mark, and symbol is an individual tool that is placed by hand and impressed into the metal. This metal debossing technique is popularly known as hand stamping and creates a product that is far superior and unique.

The beauty of the Metal Pressions jewelry creation is that you participate in the creative process. Their unsurpassed design flexibility gives you the opportunity to have your design ideas become a reality. You are given the ability to combine text, diamonds, symbols, soldered elements and more to make a one of a kind piece of jewelry that is uniquely yours.

Metal Pressions also developed the world’s first and most comprehensive Online Jewelry Design Software that allows you to design and see your jewelry online before you buy. This system allows you to try different layouts and tweak your ideas until you have the perfect item.


Six lucky winners will each receive a $50 Gift Certificate to MetalPressions.com!

Giveaway ends March 13th at 11:59pm, open to US Only, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. MAMACHALLENGE.com is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

To-Do: Holiday Hurry with Ice, Trains and Christmas Cards

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To-Do Thursdays:


The countdown is on! A week from today we’ve got Thankgiving and then the most crazy of Holiday events, Black Friday.

7 days to THANKSGIVING
40 days to CHRISTMAS
47 days to NEW YEAR’S DAY
Now that the initial shock of holiday has passed, I’m ready to take on Christmas shopping like a champ and begin to get the family in the mood. The Christmas decorations are at least out of the closet; I just need to find time to put them up (but I get an star for my efforts!) However, now that I’m hearing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” in my head (and the grocery store), I’ve got holiday fun on my brain, too. So here’s what’s on the holiday schedule so far:


“O Christmas Card, O Christmas Cards”…The Cool Way to Do Christmas Cards – Part 2 {GIVEAWAY ALERT} (I’m making it so easy this year with a special giveaway only until 11/18!)


However, next week is where the calendar is packed full of holiday cheer:



And there’s lots more where that came from! Just wait until next week and I provide an insider’s look at the Gaylord Texan’s ICE!


Until then, Happy Decorating!

The Cool Way to Do Christmas Cards

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Tech Tuesdays:

“O Christmas Cards, O Christmas Cards, 
How will I ever complete you. 
O Christmas Cards, O Christmas Cards, 

O Christmas Cards, O Christmas Cards, 
How will I ever complete you. 


It’s the last minute, I need you fast, 
Thank goodness this year there’s OfficeMax.
O Christmas Cards, O Christmas Cards, 
Now I can complete you.”

OfficeMax IMPRESS
Did you know your local OfficeMax is not just your place for office supplies, but they also do holiday card printing? Not only are they are cute designs but they are really reasonably priced! (And just to add you can get seals, stamps and more as well!)
OfficeMax ImPress Print Center is offering a GREAT deal on custom holiday greeting now through December 30, 2012.  At checkout, simply enter “CARDSAVINGS” to get 50% OFF PLUS $50 OFF holiday card orders of $200 or more at www.officemaxphoto.com/holiday-store.html.
However, one of you will be the winner of free greeting cards from OfficeMax ImPress from MamaChallenge! All you have to do is register this Rafflecopter (and you even have multiple opportunities to enter) now until November 18, 2012.  
Good Luck!
For more cool options for holiday cards and the giveaway, check out my last post. 
DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

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