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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Santa’s Cookie Ideas

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Cookies for Santa is a time-honored tradition, but what happens when the big guy gets tired of eating about a trillion of them in one night? So mix it up Christmas Eve with these Santa Cookie Ideas. 

Chocolate chip? Peanut Butter? Sugar? Oatmeal? 

What does Santa get under the tree at your house? 

SantaCookieIIdeas


With more than 132 million homes to visit on Christmas Eve, that’s a lot of cookies to eat. So give Santa a little something different with a few new Santa Cookie Ideas.

 

1. Up the ante on that chocolate chip cookie with the quintessential Dallas recipe for the Neiman Marcus Cookie.

Neiman-Marcus-Cookie

2. Looking for something the kids can make? Make your own little Frostys with Nutter Butters, candy and fruit snacks with these Snowman Cookies.

nutter butter snowmen

Brown Eyed Baker (http://www.browneyedbaker.com/nutter-butter-snowmen)

3. Does Santa have an allergy or need a pick me up for his late night? Go with No Cook, Gluten-Free Energy Balls.

4. Consider yourself a traditionalist but no time to make those beautiful sugar cookies? La Madeleine has beautiful cookie options in their Holiday French Market.

La Madeleine

5. Santa’s not the only one doing the work – don’t leave out the reindeer or the elves. Make snacks for them too with this easy Reindeer Mix.

Reindeerfood

Everyday Best (http://everydaybest.com/reindeer-food-recipe-and-free-printable/)

6. Sometimes it’s more than just the cookies. Teach kids to be the sweet ones by showing their gratitude with a thank you note with eggnog for a nice way to say thank you to Santa.

 

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No Trouble Trifle Recipes

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Need a dessert that’s impressive, but takes only minutes to put together? Try these no trouble trifle recipes for the win. 

What’s not to love about a trifle? A dessert that has been around since the 1500s, the trifle has stood the test of time for many reasons.

I personally believe it’s because it makes everyone look like hostess with the mostest when all you did was dump things in a bowl and out comes a beautiful and creamy confection. 

I know that’s why I’m a fan and apparently, Pinterest is too since the site is filled to the brim with trifles of every combination imaginable. 


While most of them are “technically’ not a trifle, but more of a stackable dessert by English standards, the trifle in any form is the treat that everyone can love, whether you’re making it or you’re eating it. 

So let’s get ready to TRIFLE! 

 

Summer Sangria Trifle 

Trifle
A true trifle is created with fruit, sponge cake or lady fingers  soaked with Sherry or a fortified wine, and custard stacked in thin layers. Viola. 

This type of trifles are so good to make especially in the summer so you don’t have to spend your time in a hot kitchen using your favorite fruit combinations. 

Since I’m a girl that loves Sangria, this traditional type of trifle is ideal for a light and easy dessert that you can make at the last minute and still look like you spent hours to make a dessert that even Martha can put her stamp on. 

For this Summer Sangria Trifle, we’re using a mixing blueberries, peaches, raspberries, and strawberries with a moscato. After one bite, you’ll have problems deciding whether you want to drink or eat your Sangria. 

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Summer Sangria Trifle

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
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Description

An impressive presentation without much work and all the flavor! You’ll wonder if drinking or eating your wine tastes better.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound cake loaf, cubed (or you can use Twinkies if you are in a fix!)
  • 2 peaches, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup berries (any mix)
  • 2 cups moscato, sweet wine
  • 1 container, whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Marinate peaches in a cup of moscato for 2 hours. Once the peaches are ready, start layering your trifle with cake, then fruit, and then whipped cream. Repeat with whipped cream on top. Cover in fruit and allow to sit in the refrigerator for an hour to cool. Keep cool until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use whatever fresh fruit is in season for the perfect trifle.

S’mores Trifle

Smores Trfile

Want to make a kid-friendly dessert that is as much fun to make as it is to eat? A s’mores trifle is the way to go – especially in mason jars. They’re so much fun to make as well, so ask the little people to help! 

Ingredients

Graham crackers, crushed 

chocolate pudding (I have one with Nutella that’s out of this world or you can use snack cups from the pantry!) 

Oreo cookies, crumbled 

whipped cream 

marshmallows, minis work best 

Directions

Layer the ingredients starting with graham crackers, pudding, crumbled cookies and then whipped cream. Cover the top in marshmallow and torch for the final effect! I love to add a little chocolate square to add to the final presentation! 

Pumpkin Spice Trifle 

Pumpkin-Trifle

This one is my favorite (well, except for the s’mores and sangria ones:) but it’s so perfect for fall when you are craving everything with pumpkin and cinnamon. I love making these in singles so you can eat one now, later, and tomorrow. Plus they are ideal for an alternative to making pie (and who needs all that work!) 

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Pumpkin Spice Trifle

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Description

Get your pumpkin fix with this easy to make, so good to taste, you’ll make it again and again!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12–15 Gingerbread or molasses cookies, crushed
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (like this)
  • 1 container of whipped topping, thawed

Instructions

  1. To make custard, beat cream cheese in a bowl until smooth with mixer.
  2. Next add the pumpkin, vanilla, sugar, and pie spice until well blended. Now fold in around a cup of whipped cream and combined.
  3. To assemble trifle, layer crumbled cookies into bottom of container. Next layer pumpkin, followed by whipped cream. Repeat if possible, ending with the whipped cream as the top layer.
  4. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Add crumbled cookies or 1 single cookie to garnish and serve.

 

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Cauliflower Recipes You Must Make

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Move over kale, cauliflower is the new star of produce! This vegetable is so versatile and full of health benefits! Try cauliflower as a great side, entree or even pizza crust with these cauliflower recipes you must make that your kids will love as much as you! *Affiliate links may be included to products used here.

I cannot begin to profess my love of cauliflower. It’s been a long road that we’ve been down together…covered in cheese, butter, or both. However, this cruciferous vegetable also plays the part not just as glutenous goodness, but also as healthy lead in many recipes – as entree, side, or both. So if you’re feeling a little kale or quinoa-ed 0ut, then open your eyes and your mouth for these cauliflower recipes you must make now. 

Cauliflower-Recipes-You-Must-Make


A little note: Now before you get started, I highly suggest using steam bags to make your life that much easier. Since many times you’ll be using steamed cauliflower as your base, using steam bags will cut down dramatically on your time (and dishes) when making successful cauliflower recipes! I’ve used several brands, but these cheaper ones work pretty good.

Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes” or Taylor’s Taters

My daughter hates vegetables of any kind – except for potatoes, which in reality we all know aren’t veggies at all. However, I had to find a way to increase the selection of foods in her diet before my pediatrician (and her health) completely hit the wall, so one day my mom made her “Gigi Potatoes,” which she proceeded to eat the entire bowl. What she didn’t know is that my mother had made her cauliflower mashed potatoes or what she now calls “Taylor Taters.” It’s the easiest recipe in the world and around a decade ago most of us were eating due to the South Beach Diet (affiliate link) craze. However, for my little girl they were the most amazing stuff ever and she was eating healthy! 

Cauliflower Recipes to Eat Now

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Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes “Taylor’s Taters”

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
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Description

Healthy and so good, you’ll never know it was cauliflower! Perfect for kids who don’t love veggies!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2–4 tablespoons butter, optional
  • 12 cup Manchego cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Steam cauliflower in the microwave until soft, but not mushy (I use steam bags!)
  2. Transfer to bowl.
  3. Add butter and blend with handheld blender or emulsifier until your preferred “mashed potato” consistency.
  4. Mix in Manchego cheese
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve!

Notes

  • The nuttiness of the Manchego cheese and cauliflower pair perfectly for this nutritious and delicious side dish that will have them all wanting more!

Roasted Cauliflower

In a fix to get dinner on the table or want to make something else besides potatoes? Then go for the roasted cauliflower. This dish can actually be your main entree when you want to eat light on calories and not on flavor or just prefer a “veggie kind-of-night.” Paired with a Chimichurri sauce (a blend of garlic, parsley, cilantro and spices with an olive oil/vinegar), roasted cauliflower is my go-to must have for hot summer nights! And because it only takes a few steps, throw it in the oven and in minutes, you’ll come back with an impressive recipe that will have you call for triples!

And did I mention that cauliflower is full of Vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, fiber and whole lotta other good stuff? So bottom line: you should be eating this and this recipe is a good way to enjoy it, too!

Cauliflower-Recipes-You-Must-Make

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Roasted Cauliflower

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 35
Print Recipe

Description

Make it as your entree or your side, eat it once and you’ll want it all the time!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head cauliflower, sliced vertically like a steak
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Cut the cauliflower into steaks, vertically (remove the stump.)
  3. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray.
  4. Lay “steaks” on sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  6. Place in oven and allow to get browned (25 minutes.) In a hurry – broil on low until brown.
  7. Remove from heat and serve.
  8. Optional: add a chimichurri sauce for a nice kick!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 316
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 167
  • Fat: 28
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Unsaturated Fat: 23
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Protein: 6
  • Cholesterol: 0

Best-Ever Cauliflower Pizza Crust

I was working on this cauliflower pizza crust recipe one day and the finished product was sitting on the table. My son, who had no idea what I was making, so the pizza and asked if he could PLEASE have a bite. “Mama, you know I love pizza!”

The words almost came out my mouth to tell him, “hey baby that’s not what you think it is”…but instead, I let him bite into it and give me his honest opinion.

Of course, kids are the pickiest eaters (especially mine I’m afraid to admit), so I was waiting for that grimace he makes when he tries something new.

Instead he said, “that’s SO good!” he shouted. “Can I have slice? We need to make more of this since I’m gonna eat it all!”

His reaction signaled this recipe was a WINNER and it would become a staple in our menu. With two gluten-free diets and a corn allergy to now add to the list, I needed more recipes to start circulating. And this recipe for Cauliflower Pizza Crust can be made with any of your own toppings. You just have to get the whole “wringing out the cauliflower part” down. It’s not a hugely quick process, but after a few times, you’ll get it even quicker than making traditional crust that still needs time to rise. Instead, you’ll already have yours out of the oven and ready to serve with this no carb, no gluten, and good cauliflower pizza recipe.

Cauliflower Pizza

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Best Ever Cauliflower Pizza

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Description

A pizza crust recipe that tastes better than the original – and no gluten, no carbs!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano, dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, powdered
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella/pizza cheese, shredded
  • 1 egg
  • red pepper
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

To make crust

  1. Wash and dry the cauliflower.
  2. Cut off the florets, remove the stem.
  3. Using a food processor, pulse cauliflower until it’s the consistency of snow.
  4. Place the cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cover (I prefer a steam bag.) Cook for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Allow cauliflower to cool slightly.
  6. In a strainer or over another bowl draped with a tea towel, place cooked cauliflower into the towel.
  7. Using the towel (the thinnest is best), and wring the cauliflower until there is no more water and it’s “dry.” (You’ll need to do this several times as there will be lots of water (more than a cup is normal.)
  8. Next place cauliflower into a dry bowl, add cheeses and seasonings and mix.
  9. Now add egg and mix until it resembles dough.
  10. Place dough on an parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray.
  11. Now roll out dough into a thin crust (be careful to not be too thin.)
  12. Once complete, place crust on cooking stone/pan and place into preheated oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes until golden brown and remove from the oven.
  13. Now add your toppings as normal for pizza.
  14. Return pizza to the oven and cook 6-8 minutes until cheese is golden.
  15. Remove from oven, cut, cool, and eat!

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5 New Baby Shower Trends

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Need an idea for a creative baby shower theme? These new baby shower trends show that cute doesn’t mean that it can’t be cool, too.

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When it comes to baby showers, you fall into one of two camps: either you love a good cheesy baby shower – complete with gross baby games with dirty diapers and ahhhing over breast pumps – OR – you love celebrating your friends upcoming bundle of joy, but cringe at the thought of measuring bellies, tasting unlabeled baby food, or drinking your punch from a baby bottle.

BabyShowerTrends


I bet you know which one I fall into.

Thankfully, the idea of baby showers has grown up a little bit. And with it doesn’t mean you aren’t still doing something special for the mama (or daddy) to be, but doing it a way that’s more practical, fitting to the honoree or just more fun to attend for the rest of us.

new baby shower trends

1) Gender Neutral Shower: Book Building Party

Inspired by the Big O (by that I mean Oprah), the idea of this shower is much more progressive as it’s based on building a strong foundation of reading and building a library for the child that can grow with them in their childhood. Using simple decorations literally from the pages of favorite children’s books like Green Eggs and Ham and The Tales of Peter Rabbit, you can find low-cost books at garage sales and places like Half-Price Books. Food and drinks are also based on books themes is ideal for this gender neutral shower (think Goodnight Moon paired with Moon Pies.). Guests can be asked to contribute by bringing a book for the gift, adding a note on the invitation that books are requested instead of cards, and then escribing a special wish or motivational note inside the book from the giftee.

new baby shower trends

2) Sip and See: Milk and Cookies

Taking another idea from the TV, most notable Phaedra from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, a Sip and See is the perfect way to have everyone meet the baby at one time when the mama is ready. It’s a win-win since the mama gets to have enough time to look and feel her best after the baby is born.  And since the guests don’t have to schedule or slot in a time, they just come by to meet the little one, give some hugs and kisses, and be on their merry little way. A Sip and See is less a party and more of a come-and-go affair, there’s less work to put it together (in theory.) For this Sip and See, we had each hostess bring a dozen cookies and offered several different milk options using retro milk bottles for an attractive, no maintenance table setting ideal for guests coming and going for several hours.

new baby shower trends

3) Couples Shower: BabyQ

One of my favorite new trends for baby showers is the couple’s shower. Why should only the mama take part in the festivities?

For a successful couple’s shower, you want a theme that is suitable for both men and women to celebrate without cringing. The BabyQ is a unique idea that combines the idea of a friendly backyard barbecue with friends with a nod to the fact that there will be a baby coming soon. Small, but thoughtful details for the food, drink and décor are what make this Couples Shower memorable. Think Baby Back Ribs, Mini-Me Sliders and having Dad’s Root Beer. For favors: We shared a set of s’mores as guests left to tie it all together with “Take S’more Love Home with You.” A takehome bottle of BBQ sauce with DIY chalk labels are also a great take home with a personalized, rustic look.

new baby shower trends

And don’t forget:

4) Sprinkle: For the Next Shower

It’s exactly what it sounds like – a smaller version of a shower for those mamas that are on baby #3 (4, 5, etc.) and just need something like diapers or an update of onesies or shoes. You can make it what you want, but a sprinkle is more about the thought that counts than the show you’re trying to create.

5) Gender Reveal Party

The Gender Reveal Party has fast become almost if not more important than the traditional baby shower. A fun way to celebrate the identity of the gender of the baby, the idea has grown from a simple idea like opening an envelope in front of friends to a formal cutting of the cake with everyone that came to the wedding reception. This one will continue to grow into a bigger tradition – especially as we continue to find new reasons to order a cake and send out an invite.

Looking for more unique baby shower ideas? Check out my Pinterest Board:

Follow mamachallenge.com’s board Cool Baby Shower Ideas on Pinterest.

And don’t miss BLOOM, April 30 for a half-day of fun, education, networking, and giveaways! 

Bloom-DMB-Baby

 

The Mom Workout

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Struggling to get in a workout? Take a lesson from your daily routine with The Mom Workout – mom moves you’re already doing and didn’t even know it!  

With everything you have to do everyday, does the idea of carving out time for a workout seem impossible? What’s sad is that most parents already feel like every day is a marathon and that’s just crossing off the bare minimum of your daily must-do list. 

But did you know that hitting your daily routine could actually include the makings of a great workout? Yep, doing the laundry, getting the kids ready for school or playing with your baby can be a super workout – with a little twist. 

Fit-Body-Boot-Camp

Movin’ Mamas: Me with Kristina Guerrero

So I enlisted a few friends, including Kristina Guerrero (a beautiful mama of two, actress, and hostess with the mostess formerly on E! Television and this week, CW’s Eyeopener) and Freddie Jenkins (owner of the Fit Body Bootcamp DFW) to help tackle the problem with what we call The Mom Workout. 

These three moves can give you a really good foundation of a super workout: 

1. Floor time with the baby = Mountain climber with push up

On the floor already doing a little floor time with your baby? Make the most of your time with a little mountain climbing action. Add a push up and dip down for a kiss! It’s like getting a reward every time you do a rep! 

2. Packing up the kids for school = 1 arm/dual kettlebell swings 

Those backpacks are heavy, right? Every morning I throw that backpack over my shoulder and load up for school. That same action is just like a kettle bell swing. So drop the bag, pick up the KB and get to swinging. Your biceps (and your buns) will thank you! 

3. Doing the laundry = Dead lifts with a curl 

I hate doing laundry, but it ain’t gonna do itself (I tried and it didn’t work!) So make the most of that load with a dead lift using a barbell or kettle bell.. You can make it double the benefit by adding curl. 

Fit-Body

See? You don’t need a gym to get your workout on! If you don’t have a kettle bell or a dumbell, don’t worry! Grab that jug of juice, can of veggies or 10 lb. bag of dog food for weighs. However, having a few basic workout essentials at home like this inexpensive set of dumbells (affiliate) or a kettlebell (affiliate) is worth the small investment in YOU! Remember, your health should be one of your biggest priorities. If you aren’t healthy, you won’t be able to take care of the family when they need it most! 

However, this workout isn’t the only way to a healthy exercise routine! Find whatever makes you get moving! In addition to some of the fun workouts I do to make it fun, I really love my Fit Body Boot Camp family.  With hundreds of locations all over the world, Fit Body Boot Camp is a group personal training program that uses a combination of (HIIT) High Intensity Interval Training and Active Rest Training  called the Afterburn – all in just 30 minutes. Check the website for the location closest to you and you can even get a three-day trial for free! If you’re in DFW, you can even work out with Freddie like me! 

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Easy Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

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Want to celebrate the tradition of Easter egg dying, but does the smell of vinegar, big colorful messes, and the lack of time keep you from breaking out the eggs? Here are several easy Easter Egg Decorating Ideas, as featured on Good Morning Texas, to keep it fun for everyone.

Thanks to At Home for all the eggsellent Easter decorations to create the perfect Easter scene!

affiliate-links

Growing up we loved decorating eggs. We’d put on one of grandpa’s old plaid workshirts, spread out the newspaper, and began the dipping, dying, and dripping rainbow-colored messes all over the floor. 


It was lots of fun. But then again, all the hours of egg dying would then turn into the eggs we later would hunt out in the grass for Easter. 

Nowadays, “Egg Hunts” don’t even involve dyed eggs, chocolate, nuts, or whatever else we are saying no to these days.

EGG

Now, I’m a big proponent of healthy eating, the tradition does kinda just fizzle out when there’s no point to all the work. 

However, there is something to be said for the time spent together, around the table, doing something fun and creative, and making memories. 

Our evolved tradition has turned into more of an opportunity to make whatever eggs you want to make. And if it doesn’t involve too much set up, can keep from dying our fingers or making a big mess for mom, that’s a tradition we can really get behind. 

While I’ve seen some pretty impressive eggs that probably took more skill and more time than I have in a week to make one 

Easter-Egg-Decorating

 

Here are 10 Easy Egg Decorating Ideas that are fun, easy and pretty mostly mess free! 

1. Stick it with Temporary Tattoos 
Pick a tat and put it on the egg just like you would the skin with a little wet cloth. Just make sure it’s a dry egg first so the tattoo can adhere to the egg. (DC Comics or DC Comics are a win for kids!)

2. Sharpies to the Rescue
A trip through Pinterest will show you that Sharpies make everything better. Put your monogram (or any other shape) by using a sticker and begin covering with dots. After you cover the egg in 1-2 colors, peel off the sticker and you’ll have the outline of your shape. (We used these ABCs for ours.)

gmt

3. Put Your Finger in It
I love handprint crafts and so do the kids. This one is the perfect combination of using those cute little fingertips to create bunnies, carrots or ducks with the stamp of a thumbprint.

carrot

4. Create with Crayons 
One of my favorites, you don’t even need to wait for the eggs to cool. While still warm after boiling, you can decorate you egg using crayons. Smear the color with your finger immediately after applying the color for an all-over color. Then layer the next crayon over it for a 3-D effect.

5. Color it with Kool-Aid 
Forget vinegar and dye, break out the Kool-Aid man! Using a packet of red, blue or orange Kool-Aid with 2/3 cup water. Then dip the eggs to make them your favorite color. Allow to dry on rack and then rinse to “set.”

Koolaid

6. Do it with Dots
I’m a big fan of polka dots, so using double-sided sticky dots all over an egg, you can roll it in glitter (or sand) to create a cool effect without the mess of trying to paint a golden egg!

Glitter-dots

7. Bedazzle it with Beads 
This is my FAVORITE. These eggs look so impressive, but basically it’s jeweled dots already adhered to sticky tape. Peel them tape off and add it to the egg. Ta-daa! It’s an egg that a princess would love to have.

bling

8. Share the Fun with Shave Cream 
This one isn’t as clean as the others, but it’s so much fun! Take a pan, cover it in shaving cream (like the cheap stuff), and then add some food color. Using a dowel rod, swirl the colors together until you have a fun tie-dye effect. Then roll the egg in the cream to color. Allow it to dry for 10 minutes and then rinse for the color to develop. (Note: Consider gloves if you don’t want your fingers to get colored!)

Shaving-Cream

9. Don it with Decoupage 
Modge podge is the answer to everything and here it is plays a big role in making a napkin become the design on an egg. Add decoupage to egg. Then take a napkin (think a fun leftover party napkin or using this beautiful floral design), adhere the napkin to the egg and begin to smooth it out. Cut off the excess. Add another layer of Mod Podge to the outside of the egg to smooth out the design and let it dry.

Mod Podge

10. Go with Glow
This one isn’t much of a decorating egg idea, but host a glow-in-the-dark Easter hunt by filling plastic eggs with glow-in-the-dark sticks (Dollar Tree is a great place to score these!)

Hope you have a hoppy Easter with these fun egg decorating ideas!

 Did you love the decor used in the segment? Me too! You can get all of it from At Home!

GMT-2

  • At Home has more than 150 Easter items for your indoor and outdoor decorating needs in a variety of themes (Modern Easter, Garden Party and Antique Treasures).
  • Prices for At Home Easter product ranges from $0.99 up to $99.99. AtHome.com showcases a sampling of what you can find in stores.
  • At Home currently has several DFW locations. New locations in Plano and Farmers Branch set to open in May of this year.
  • Each store has more than 50,000 home décor items and receives 500 new products per week.Don't miss

Easter-Dinner-Cake-MamChallenge.com

Easter-Egg-Wreath

Easter-Egg-Pizza

 

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Sneak Peek: Hot Toys for Tots 2016

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Toys just keep getting better and better! Even for the littles! We’re sharing Hot Toys for Tots as found at the North American International Toy Fair 2016! 

Oh, boy – we’re talking toys! This week I headed over to EyeOpenerTV to share some of the coolest toys you’ll be buying for birthdays, showers, and even Christmas! 


HABA USA Little Friends Bendy Dolls and Accessories // Ages 3+

  • 4 inch tall “bendy dolls” are made from flexible soft plastic, with metal wires inside which allow for them to be posable.
  • Compatible with all HABA dollhouse furniture as well as the Villa sunshine, dream-house and Dollhouse Annex (shown here).

 InRoad Toys PlayTape // Ages 3+

  • A Toy of the Year Finalist, PlayTape sticks to any flat surface and is easy to tear, reposition, and peel up without any residue.
  • NEW Hot Wheels PlayTape debuted at Toy Fair this year and will be available to consumers this summer!
  • Available in different colors and road styles

Yookidoo Musical Duck Race // For ages 6 month+

  • Finalist for the International Toys Award in Nuremburg
  • Battery operated musical duck water race & fountain
  • Cheerful music plays along with the activities with mute button – celebrating bath time and reducing water anxiety.
  • Leaf lever activates 9 random sound & water effects
  • Develops hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and teaches colors and counting

SoapSox // Birth

  • Snuggle, cuddle, and play together all day, when it’s time for bath, bring them with you
  • Can help ease bath time anxiety/fears
  • The patented soap pocket transforms lovable SoapSox® into sudsy wash cloth
  • Debuted at Toy Fair New Line of Disney Baby Bath Toys Including Characters From Upcoming Summer 2016 Blockbuster Finding Dory

Lassig Casual Twin Bag // This one is for MOM and DAD! 

  • Perfect bag for parent of twins, multiple children or just looking for a roomier day-today bag option!
  • Main zipper pocket features plenty of space to hold diapers, extra clothing, toys and their favorite stuffed animals
  • Variety of zipper pockets and compartments to keep loose items organized and easily accessible.
  • Also included is an over-sized insulated bottle holder and over-sized, water-repellent changing mat,
  • Two external pockets located on each end of the bag can be used for water bottles, coffee mugs
  • Made of durable polyester and include carrying handles, shoulder strap and stroller hooks for added versatility. There is also an additional shoulder strap that can be used as a back pack strap.
  • Available in Zig Zag Black and White (shown) or Striped Zig Zag Navy

And because we love our parents, we’re giving away the LASSIG CASUAL TWIN DIAPER BAG! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Unique Umbrellas That Do More

By 37 Comments

Umbrellas may be made to keep your dry, but in this day of technology and style, the umbrella can go the extra mile. We’ve found the most unique umbrellas that do more and give you a real reason to sing in the rain. 

Umbrella

As seen on Good Morning Texas


   

Bluetooth Umbrella // DAVEK 

  • Hidden in the handle of this sleek umbrella is a tiny Bluetooth-based “proximity chip.”
  • This chip broadcasts a silent signal, read by your smartphone.
  • When the distance between the chip and your phone exceeds a certain distance—30 ft or so—the umbrella sends a reminder to your phone.
  • Battery life is between 1-3 years. 
  • Get it: It’s only available online here, but this fall is set to be sold at high-end retailers. 

bluetooth-umbrella

Color Changing Umbrella // Walker

  • Color-changing umbrella is black with white raindrop design
  • When the umbrella has contact with water comes to life with lots of color
  • Returns to white when dry 
  • Well-made umbrella design
  • Get it: The Write Selection in Dallas or online here

Color Umbrella

LED Light “Light Saber” Umbrella // ZHOL

  • Perfect for your “Star Wars” fan, this umbrella lights up at the push of button. 
  • Press the button for several LED color choices. 
  • Light is Turn the light on in the dark street so that the car drivers aware you. Effective to prevent accidents
  • Get it: Found this one online for less than $20!

Star-Wars-Umbrella

Wine Bottle Umbrella // Vinrella

  • The best part of an umbrella? It keeps your dry? The worst part? When you fold it up indoors and it gets you all wet. 
  • This unique “Wine Bottle” umbrella stores in the bottle when closed and includes a strap so it can be carried on the wrist, bag, etc. 
  • Great for a wine lover, but a water bottle option gives a fitness buff a fun choice as well.
  • Get it: At gift shops like ‘Lil Shop on the Vine in Grapevine and online here. 

Wine-Umbrella

Umbrellas aren’t the only rain gear; goulashes/rain boots aren’t just for keeping you dry, they are very fashionable as well. A look on Pinterest will show you how to plan a whole outfit around the look – even when it’s not raining!  

 

Hunter Boots

{Hunter Tall Boots}

 

 

Sperry

{Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Cormorant Core Rain Boot}

Sperry

{Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Saltwater Rain Boot}

Sperry

{Sperry Top-Side Women’s White Water Rain Boot}

 

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My Music Video Debut: Some Carpet to Love

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I fondly remember when I was 5 years old,  jumping on my mother’s bed in just my panties and trying to scream the words of the Madonna song playing on MTV. 

I remembered thinking how cool that people were singing and dancing on a channel devoted to all music all the time. 


Oh, how cool would it be in a video, I thought. 

Oh those were the days…

Since then MTV has changed, although I still love Madonna. 

And a few months ago I was finally able to fulfill that childhood dream and be in a music video.

Mohawk2

So I guess you’re wondering why I might be laying on the floor in what presumes to be in a church choir robe with four other lovely ladies?

No, I haven’t become a member of a gospel girls club…

This was my music video moment. 

And in true #mamachallenge fashion, I wasn’t rolling around being all hot and bothered like the Queen of Pop, but I was talking dirty. Real dirty. 

Like dirty carpet and how I wish I could find some “Carpet to Love,” (the title of the song) featuring Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean Carpet. If you watch the whole video you’ll see what we did to the old carpet before hand and how beautiful the house was once the new SmartStrand was when it was installed. 

The day of shooting the video was pretty hilarious – and not my typical mamachallenge kinda-day. Well..unless you count the days I roll around on my own carpet throwing a big fit, but that’s another story.  But all that time on the floor in the video, I can actually attest this stuff is super durable and really easy to clean!  

Mohawk

I was able to experience Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean Carpet at work as

  • The only carpet with built-in stain and soil resistance that never wears or washes off
  • Has Nanoloc spill protection for quick and easy spill cleanup (a new nanotechnology to protect the fiber)
  • Environmentally friendly because it’s made in part from renewable resources
  • Families that do it all need a carpet that has it all—SmartStrand is the only carpet that has it all!

And since I’m a big video music star and all now (HA!), I get to share this special “Friends and Family” discount with you for 10% off select SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet now through 12/31/15. 

Now without further ado, here is my video music debut! 

 
Connect with Mohawk Flooring
 

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