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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Announce Your Sweetest Day with Minted

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SponsoredPostDisclaimer
On Valentine’s Day I took a trip down my memory lane by looking at my wedding pictures. While I loved everything about my Mexican nuptials from start to finish, I realized that my destination wedding didn’t give me the chance to experience some of the basics of the whole wedding experience like cake tastings, wedding invitations and even a “real wedding dress.” 

This wedding invite says it all and that the couple’s fun side. (All photos courtesy of minted.com.)

But nowadays with the invent of Pinterest, the concept of a “traditional wedding” is totally out the door for more creative, personal and inventive ideas, especially when it comes to wedding invitations and guest favors. 

We’ll move over birds, bells, and big books of samples, brides-to-be are looking to stand out with unique invites that make an impression and on their own time. Minted, an online store for independent graphic artists to showcase their artistic invitation and announcement designs. While there are several classic selections, there are many options to portray the personalities of the brides and grooms.

Since I’m a dork for beautiful paper and designs, I had to take a peek at what  “invitation” I would have chosen now if I had more of a typical wedding format then. (But let’s be honest, there’s nothing typical about my wedding.)

Since we had a destination wedding, I loved this Destination Wedding “luggage tag” with the map.

 

Love, love, love Faraway Destination one with the postcard stamp!
 
Of course, I’d like this Mexican folk art design that already had
“Puerto Vallarta” on the sample. 

 

There’s something about this twine design that just captured
our personalities with a sophisticated retro look. 

Best of all, you can choose the design, paper choice, coordinating RSVP cards, envelopes, thank you notes and more and at reasonable prices. And when the wedding is all over with and you’re ready to start planning for the birth of your first child and then later their  birthday, minted is ready to help you make the choice that is perfect for you and your special day.  

 
 

Chef Jackson’s Microwave Easter Day Bark {Recipe}

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Food Fridays: 

I have high aspirations of making holidays memorable for my children cooking and decorating, but my best-laid plans sometimes fall short with all the other things that get in the way. But this Easter I wasn’t going to let mom’s crazy schedule get in the way of some family fun – even if it was a “minimized” version.

Using my new skills as the Microwave Mama, the boy and I decided to cook up what he called “Easter Day Bark.” Needing only three ingredients and some microwave action, I was going to put together a video to show how easy it was to create this tasty and cute Easter treat. However, my son asked if he could do a video, too so I let him go.

Of course, in just one take, my own little TV star created a video that Bobby Flay could be proud of. While not the most innovative recipe ever, he tells you exactly how to do it in no time at all (although his focus is certainly on the M&Ms.)

So I can honestly this recipe is so easy your 4-year-old can make it.

Without further ado, here’s Chef Jackson!



Jackson’s Microwave Easter Day Bark 

Recipe Adapted from ServedUpwithLove


Package of White Almond Bark
Package of Easter M&Ms
Sprinkles
Easter Egg Malted Eggs

Place the almond bark in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 90 seconds to melt (adding more every 10 seconds until it’s melted.) 

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spread the almond bark. Drop the M&Ms and other candy over the melted bark. Allow to cool by placing in the freezer. When it solidifies, break into pieces. Makes for a cheap, easy and cute gift to friends, neighbors and teachers!

Food Fridays: Celebrate St. Pat’s with Irish Street Tacos {Recipe}

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Food Fridays: 

Today’s Food Friday is actually from one of my favorite places to eat (and drink) in Dallas, the BBC! I’ve been working with them for a couple of months and they truly have a great team and know how to have fun – especially on St. Pat’s. So since this weekend is St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sharing this great and SUPER EASY dish for Irish Street Tacos shown today on today’s D: Living! 



IRISH STREET TACOS

This dish is easy to make and has a southern twist, it consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and tortillas.

For the Meat you will need:
Corned beef 3#
Water 3 Quarts
Spice packet 1 Each
In a medium stock pot add your corned beef and water. If the corned beef comes with a spice packet add it to the water. Bring to simmer and let cook until meat is tender but not falling apart, (about 2 hours) you want to be able to cut it into strips. If your corned beef doesn’t come with a spice packet, you can add your own spices. I recommend: 6 peppercorns, 3 bay leaves, and about 2 tablespoons of salt.

For the Russian dressing you will need:
Mayo 2 Cups
Ketchup 1 Cup
Dill relish ½ Cup
Hard boiled eggs 3 Each
In a mixing bowl add all ingredients and mix well, and then chill before serving.

For the Sauerkraut you will need:
Sauerkraut 2 cans (about 16oz)
Bacon 6 strips
Yellow Onion (Medium Size) 1 Each
Oil 2 Tablespoons

To start open the sauerkraut and drain off juice, set aside. Next cut the bacon into about ½ inch chunks, set aside. Next dice the onion (small to medium dice), set aside. In a medium sauce pot add the oil (medium high heat), when oil is hot add the bacon to the pan and let render till it is almost crispy, then add the onion and cook till translucent. Turn down heat to a simmer so not to burn the bacon. Once the onions are translucent, add the sauerkraut and stir till well incorporated. Turn off the heat, and cover.

To serve:
4” corn Tortillas 24 ea
When the beef is tender, place on a cutting board and slice into 4 inch long strips, if the meat is really thick, cut the strip in half. Lay out the tortillas and place the corned beef down the middle and then top with sauerkraut (as much as you like, me personally I like a lot). Then top with a dollop of Russian dressing and serve. You may serve this with some chopped cilantro and diced raw yellow onion, just for some extra flavor. Serve with Green beer. Delicious!

Garnish with swiss cheese.

Looking for something fun today in DFW for St. Pat’s Day? Make sure you check out all the fun they are having at the BBC — with a bagpiper, green beer, brunch, balloon drop and whole bunch more! 


Your Mess Maker Can Win You Housekeeping for a Year from Dirty Jobs

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Want-it Wednesday


Do you ever wish you could be rewarded for the messes your children make? 
I know I do and would be rewarded hourly with their busy hands!

Photo courtesy of Muppet.Wikia.com
Dirty Jobs, known for their cleaning products that are formulated to handle the dirtiest jobs and more notably their adorable spokesperson, MikeRowe, is launching a nationwide search for America’s top ‘Mess Masters.’  

Submit a photo of the messiest mess your own Mess Master makes and if your photo is selected you could win a full year’s professional maid service from MollyMaid, one of the country’s top-rated professional home cleaning service companies as well as other additional prizes!
Send in your best Mess Master photo and you will be entered and eligible to win one of the following great prizes:
  1. Grand Prize Winner – Molly Maid Cleaning Service for 1 year
  2. First Runner-Up – $500 Gift Card
  3. Second Runner-Up – $250 Gift Card
  4. Eleven Weekly Prize Winners will win a $100 Gift Card
Qualifying as the biggest Mess Master requires no special training, just the ability to create the messiest mess (I have two kids and a lab that could easily qualify without any encouragement.)  Accepted entries can include kids and/or pets.  They just need to make a dirty mess and you provide the photographic proof of their best mess.

Do you think your Mess Maker can take on the Barbeque Bandit?
Then enter this contest and wine housekeeping for a year.
The contest will run for eleven weeks from now through May 9, 2013 and the Grand Prize winner will be announced just in time for Mother’s Day, May 12, 2013 #bestgiftever!  It’s easy and simple to get in on all the fun.  Just visit www.mydirtyjobs/messmasters to enter your own favorite Mess Master.  
About the Sponsor
Available at Walmart, Lowe’s, and Albertsons Market stores across the country, Dirty Jobs broad portfolio of cleaning products are among the strongest and most advanced household cleaning products available anywhere.  They are the ideal cleaner-uppers for everyone’s own Mess Master. 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I Want Some More Please: 4 Super Soups to Satisfy and Minimize

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Food Fridays:

I have a confession. 

I’m slightly obsessed with soup. I mean really. 

Getting the soup monkey off my back with Corn Chowder at East Hampton Sandwich Co. 

While some women will go in the middle of the night for a preggo food fit, I’ll drive hours away to score the perfect bowl of soup. And compound that with my pregnancy there’s nothing stopping a good soup stop. At my OB/GYNO, there was this little cafe called Alonti and they served the most amazing “Italian Wedding Soup.” While not a traditional recipe, but one with chicken, cream and wonderful goodness. So much so, that when I was pregnant with my second, it continued to be a part of my routine: first go to the appointment and then followup up with a big cup of the soup. 

And then one day, I went and it was gone. Closed down. Finito. (Good for my waistline, bad for my craving.)

So I went to the internet to scour for the recipe, but I quickly discovered this was going to be like trying to find the formula for Coca-Cola. I did get close with the photo below from a blog called “Cookinginflipflops.com,” but unfortunately, the website doesn’t work anymore. I was able to find a photo and filed it on Pinterest in hopes to at least remember what it tasted like and maybe one day get a recipe. 

Oh woe is me as tears of chicken broth come down my cheek. But then Pinterest came and brought me a kleenex and a recipe for it. While it was a close second, it still doesn’t cure the sickness that ailed me (but it’ll work in fix.)

While this photo is from cookinginflipflops.com, the site seems to have bit the dust, but has the most hits and photo links back to the soup. Coincidence? I think not. Alonti’s not sharing.
While that soup will continue to be on my list of must-find must-haves, there’s another “Italian” soup that makes me happy, especially when it’s cold and gloomy (like the best day ever for soup): Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscano. With the ideal combination of greens, italian sausage, cream and spiciness, this soup is what makes their soup and salad lunch the best deal ever (for me, not them.) Again, through the magic of Pinterest, I also found a recipe for this stuff. Can’t wait to make it soon to see how close it is.
Unfortunately, just because soup is liquid doesn’t always make it lowfat. (Have you checked out the fat count for the Tomato Basil Soup at La Madeleine?  – don’t.) However, there are some soups that can help you do exactly that – lose weight. Which is particularly good when you’ve been eating either of the soups I’ve covered, you’ll need something to help you knock off that extra few pounds you’ll gain after bowl #10. 

And since it IS February, I’ve actually been divulging more HEALTHY soups.One of those you must look at is the Fat-Flush soup. It’s a whole diet plan, but even if you don’t care about the fat flush part, it is a great winter soup recipe!

Source: fatflush.com via Desiree on Pinterest

And I don’t think talk about lowfat soups without including one of the biggest soup fads, the Cabbage Soup Diet. Again, I’m a little hesistant to eat anything consistently for 1 week, no matter how good it is. But you have to admit, it’s a keeper. 


After making up gallons of soup like the Cabbage Soup, you’ll be eating on it for days. So I was uber excited to find the ideal accessory for a soup-obsessed fan like myself: The Lunch Pot by Black+Blum. 

It’s multifunctional and travel-handy with two bowls that come adjoined with its own little spoon. Also, if you  just want to use one of the bowls, it can fit inside each other. It’s looks kinda like something IKEA would make and it sure is conveneient and works really well. And like all their stuff at Black & Blum, everything looks as though it belongs in an art gallery. 

Of course, with all this talk about soup, I’d be remissed to not bring up my favorite spring event, Empty Bowls, a soup fundraiser in Dallas and Fort Worth for the local food banks. It’s a must go, so learn why here!

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.”)




Yank Those Yoga Pants: Get Fit Looks Fast and Cheap with Ellie {Special Discount}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

As a mom, it’s almost a requirement that if you don’t work in a “traditional” office, your “uniform” is yoga pants. Whether you actually got up to work out, have the best of intentions to go work out or just upgraded from the PJs you changed out of, workout wear is THE look of the SAHM (and apparently the seat of power in Dallas.) For me, at least these last two months of trying yoga, pilates and even pole dancing, I feel like I’ve been nothing but workout pants – and basically combinations of the same three outfits. 

Not me and not my pants. But it is the uniform! (Photo: The Chive.) 


But never fear, mamachallenge is ready to find the new way to look fabulous while looking fit. That’s why I was so excited when I found a new company that makes it easy to look good in your workout wear, cheaply and easily every month. 

A look at February’s selection. Each month it changes, so you don’t get bored!

Ellie mixes essential fashion-forward looks with high-tech performance activewear for the most stylish fitness experience you’ve ever had!

Basically, you take a quick quiz about your style and needs and then gives you personalized looks just for you. And for $50 bucks a month you can have 2 pieces of workout wear from the top brands sent to your doorstep with free shipping. (Can’t beat that, can you?) 


In case you aren’t the type to make a commitment, you can still purchase the items you like at price, but being a part of the VIP club really saves you money, especially when workout wear doesn’t come cheap!

So, if you’re going to wear them every day, why don’t you make life easier with a personalized package that is made to make you look great and is sent straight to you monthly at a great price.

If you use this link, you can get 20% off your first purchase when you click here or this banner!

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of Ellie. 


Find Fido: New Technology to Find Your Pet 24/7

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Try-it Tuesdays: 
This week is set to be all about protecting the ones you love and today we’re talking about one of the most beloved members of your family, your pet. 

Meet our (other) baby, Birddie, pictured here in our family photo 2011. 

Our family pet is a black lab named Birddie. She has been with our family almost from the birth of our son in 2008. And like my other children, she also has a mind to go exploring – especially when our gate or front door gets left open, which unfortunately is more often than I wish. She has a tendency to get out so much that even my neighbors know her by name and bring her back to the house without even checking out her collar. And I can’t even remember how many times I’ve ran down the street to try to catch her. I won’t admit how many times she’s been out, but I decided it couldn’t  happen any more.  

Birddie meet Tagg.

This little thing is everything I had been looking for… Tagg—The Pet Tracker is an advanced pet tracking system equipped with GPS and wireless capabilities that enables pets to stay in touch with their owners.  The Tagg tracker is designed for dogs and cats over 10 lbs. and is a small, lightweight and durable device that attaches securely to an existing collar.  
Built to withstand all the running, digging and jumping of a pet’s busy day, the tracker is meant to be worn at all times, even while swimming.  The long-lasting battery can last up to 30 days, but actual battery life will vary based on usage patterns. And best of all you can track your pet from your IPhone! I know where my pet is at all times and what she’s doing. And if she gets out of the “home zone” the program alerts you that your pet is out, as well as low battery and other alerts. (The only thing I can even say negative about this product is its battery life,which could stand to last a little longer, so make sure you follow the instructions in hope to maintain its maximum longevity.) 
While the cost is around $100 for the Tagg tracker, it costs around $8 per month to maintain GPS services with Verizon (you don’t need another phone plan, it is embeded with the program.) But that’s a small cost to pay to have the freedom of mind to know I can always find Birddie! 

Looking for something a little simplier to know where your pet is? 

Another way to keep your dog safe is with a LED collar and leash set from Dog-E-Glow. Dog-E-Glow collars and leashes illuminate their entire length and are seen up to 1,000 feet away for maximum visibility.
  • Collar and leash lights are visible when turned on in a steady or flashing mode
  • All products contain batteries that last up to 150 hours of use
  • ALL of the Dog-E-Glow products are:
    • Safe
    • Lightweight and highly durable
    • Weather resistant
    • Made of high quality nylon sewn around (100,000 Hour) LED bulbs
    • And did you see you can get your favorite college mascots or other fashionable designs?

Don’t you love what technology can do to keep your family safe? 



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.”)

“I Ate All Your Cookies!” and other things you wish you could tell your kids {Book Review}

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After all the fun of Valetine’s Day crafts, cupcakes and cuddles, there was the aftermath of children very “high” on sugar from cookies and candy running crazy around my house. While I love my children more than life itself, it is days like these that make me want to tell them the things I’m really thinking like:


If honesty is the best policy, then getting a copy of this book from your pediatrician or OB should be a requirement.

“I Ate All Your Cookies”  admits all the secret truths that parents are thinking in their head, but will  (probably) never share with their children. From blowing the cover on who Santa really is to revealing that the dog is not actually living on a farm chasing bunnies, this book shares hundreds of relatable thoughts for any parent who has ever considered letting their kids know they really feel.

I Ate All Your Cookies: (and Other Things You Wish You Could Tell Your Kids)
Quinn Conroy
Sourcebooks
Buy

Looking for other other books to read? Check out some of my recents reads here!

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.”)

Going Topless at My Wedding

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If you look at past posts, I’m all about talking about my kiddos – but I don’t always talk about my husband. I guess I feel that part of my life is personal, so while I blog about some pretty embarrassing things on mamachallenge.com, stories about our relationship has been off-limits…until now.

I have planned some pretty awesome events at some really cool places like AT&T Pebble Beach, The Academy Awards and the Miss USA Pageant. So when it came to planning my own wedding, I either wanted to go royal wedding or very intimate. Money helped me make the choice, so seven of our family/friends flew to Puerto Vallarta for a vacation/wedding. 


It was the perfect choice for us.  We did everything we ever wanted to do for our family;  from massages on the beach, golf by the ocean (with the alligators), tequila tour and of course, our very no-nonsense wedding ceremony (at least it was supposed to be.) 

 

Taking place around sunset on the beach, facing the ocean, barefoot in the sand and sunglasses on the face. With our wedding party standing behind us, the preacher started the vows to becoming man and wife. It was the incredible moment where you look at each other and realize the intensity of what you are about to do and how your life will change in just a few minutes. 


About 10 minutes into the ceremony…somewhere between “Will You…Yes,” I saw my betrowed (and the rest of our family) all turn their heads to something on the beach behind the preacher. 

O.M.G. 
A woman, who of course wasn’t so ugly [read: hot], dared to walk right by my wedding ceremony – TOPLESS! Yes, she did. Even the photographer turned his head AND took a photo, although it somehow didn’t end up in the wedding shots! 

(No, I don’t have a photo of this so don’t ask.)

I was a little upset to say the least at the time since the ceremony itself was only about 20 minutes long and she took up about a minute of it, but now, seven years later, it IS pretty funny. Only that would happen to me!

Humor is what made me fall in love with my husband, so this little moment was only fitting. While there are MANY days I’m not laughing, it’s moments like these that remind me that laughing is the best medicine to dealing with the hard challenges we face everyday (especially if it’s paired with bubbly!) 

On this Valentine’s Day, I hope you have great stories to remember and make your smile. I’d love to hear them if you want to share! 

Last-minute Love-Filled Heart-Shaped Pick-Up for Valentine’s

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Love Week, Day 3!

Continuing with our week devoted to all things LOVE, I thought I’d share a couple of places you can find some heart-shaped foods just in case you need to show some love at the last minute.

Famous for make-and-take pizza, get your own heart-shaped pizza and take it home to make for dinner for only $7. Best of all, $1 goes to the North Texas Food Bank.  
Show your love with a large 1-topping thin-crust pizza and Cinnapie for $15. (You can even get D-E-L-I-V-E-R-Y!)

With 50% delivery right now, you can still have one of their healthy heart bouquets sent to your loved one or bring one home for the family.  


Butter up your office and pick up some Dunkin’ Donuts’ heart-shaped and filled Cupid’s Choice and Cupid’s Cocoa donuts. (Really sweeten the deal and pick up coffee, too!) 

The original cupcakery offers its Raspberry Chocolate Chip cupcake only in February. The chocolate chip-studded Belgian dark chocolate cake is topped with luscious raspberry frosting and a pink heart decoration. 



For more Valentine’s Day fun, check out these posts:

Heart-Shaped Food Fun for V-Day

Healthy Valentine’s Day Treat with Easy S’Mores Flaxseed Cupcakes {Recipe}


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