• Home
  • About
  • As Seen On
  • PR | AD
  • Working Together
  • Event Calendar
    • MamaChallenge.com Calendar
    • Submit Your Event
  • Contact

mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

  • Featured on TV
  • For Moms
  • Food
  • Parenting
  • DFW
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Health
  • Style
  • Giveaways

Summer Perfect Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Salad

May 25, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 27 Comments

Bite into the perfect summer salad with this grilled peach and prosciutto salad. 

#MarketStreetDFW

An avid grocery store fan, I probably go 3-5 times a week. Not just because I don’t always meal plan well and have to pick up a few last-minute items, but because I simply enjoy it – at least most the time.

However, Market Street is one my favorites. I even drive about 15 minutes out of my way because the experience itself is so enjoyable. From the moment you enter the doors, you receive smiles from the staff, opportunities to enjoy the food, you casually fill your cart and then when you finally resolve it’s time to leave, there’s never a long wait to check out AND someone insists to take out your bags. That’s the way it’s always been when it started as United many years ago in West Texas. When I was growing up that was the only grocery store we knew of  and that’s what they did then and now. That’s sweet, right?


Just like summer time.

Market-Street-Colleyville

And you know what else is sweet?  

Sugar Tree by Kingsburg Orchards at Market Street. The fruits are the exclusive, non-GMO plant breeding program that offers the most unique and exciting fruits available through cross-pollination using bees.  From peaches, nectarines, and more, Sugar Tree got me thinking about all kinds of ways to taste summer… through the flesh of a juicy fruit.

Sugar-Tree-Market-Street

I knew that I wanted to try the succulent peach in a recipe that allows it to shine – as the entrée. However, after an incidental run-in with a friend that also owns a few restaurants, I remembered a recipe she used to make on TV that always made me thirst for summertime with grilled peaches. But with my own twist that’s always a crowd pleaser…bacon.

Grilled-Peaches-Market-Street

Well, actually better than bacon…prosciutto.

Taking inspiration from my Italian vacation a few years ago, I wrapped the sweet fruit in prosciutto and then paired with spice of red onion, creamy bleu cheese and a little champagne balsamic for a summer dish you’ll crave on the hottest summer days for this grilled peach and prosciutto salad

Sugar-Tree-MarketStreet-mamachallenge

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Salad


Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups of Arugula or mixed greens
  • 1 Sugar Tree peach, sliced
  • 3–5 slices prosciutto
  • 1–2 ounces bleu cheese, crumbled (I prefer to crumble my own)
  • 1/4 red onion, sliced thinly
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic dressing

Instructions

  1. First, over high heat on a grill or a stove-top grill (this is what I use), cook peaches until you see grill marks (2 minutes.)
  2. After peaches are slightly cooled, wrap peaches with prosciutto.
  3. Next place greens over a bowl/plate, next a few red onion rings and then crumble bleu cheese.
  4. Then place wrapped peaches over greens.
  5. Lastly, add balsamic dressing or glaze to taste.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Peach-and-Proscuitto-Salad-MamaChallenge

 

Get What You Want at What You Want at Rooms to Go {Sale}

May 22, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 13 Comments

SponsoredPostDisclaimer

The first time I purchase my first piece of furniture I was around 25 for our first home. I felt like such a big kid and thought, wow – I’m going to have this piece of furniture forever!

Fast forward – one husband, one dog, two cats, and two kids later, and you realize that no matter how durable and great quality your furniture is, the wear and tear of kids, pets, that unfortunate accident when you all played basketball in the living room and your own style changes, makes it necessary to replace and update your furniture from time to time.


Rooms-to-Go

And now is a really good time at Rooms To Go. With 10 locations in DFW, more than 20 locations in Texas, and in 10 states nationwide, this Memorial Day weekend there are tons of great sales happening at Rooms to Go with  more than 25 coupons to help you save on furniture (DOWNLOAD THE APP or PRINT THESE NOW!)

Lucky for me, I was able to get a sneak peek in store at some of the amazing sets and pieces available for the four-day-only Memorial Day sale.  And I found out that while this sale is available both online and in store, remember items may vary based on location.

Rooms-to-Go-Couch

I could have outfitted my entire house with a whole new look with some of the new trends and offerings especially with the e isofa line . Step aside Starbucks; with isofa you can customize your couch, not just your coffee. Just choose your style, your color and your pillow pillows and in just few days you’ve got a custom couch made just the way you want it. For those of us that can never make up our mind or are often saying “If I could just have that one, in this other color” the isofa line is made for you.

isofa-Rooms-to-Go

No one can miss the Cindy Crawford HOME or Sofia Vergara Collection offerings at Rooms to Go!

DID YOU KNOW?
You know you’ve seen the commercials of the two of them battling it out for beautiful furniture!?! Well many of the Rooms to Go commercials including the Sofia and Cindy one was filmed in DFW? Cindy Crawford has partnered with R2G for several years to create her classic home collection and the new Sofia’s line adds a whole new level of modern sophisticated selections at Rooms to Go.

If you’re not in the business of a living room or bedroom change, perhaps your dining room or kitchen can use an uplift (especially if you’re one chair down like we are because it’s broken and can’t be fixed.) I eyed several new styles that I’d love to replace my dining room furniture including bench seating like both of these beauties, also on sale this weekend for only $888.

Rooms-to-Go-Table-Highland-Park

Rooms to Go

Remember that Father’s Day is just a month away, so now’s the time to get something that dad will love like a new recliner. At buy one recliner, get one 50% off you can actually afford to buy one for each of you! I’m still deciding on two different styles.

Which one do you like best?

Leather Recliner

Or you can get a blended leather chair and ottoman set for as low as $250!

Rooms-to-Go-Recliner

Or you could just go get him a new TV and a whole new living room. The packages included in this sale are pretty crazy with everything you need to decorate your living room with a couch, loveseat, tables, lamps and more with a 65-inch LED Smart HDTV (I may have not needed a TV, but an upgrade to this one makes it a win-win for less than $2,000.

 

Want to lowdown on how to make the best of your Rooms to Go purchase?

If you’re into direct bottom-line costs upfront with no haggling, Rooms to Go prides itself on giving customers the best price today. So much so if you purchase an item and it goes on sale within 60 days from purchase, you’ll receive a credit on the difference of the product – guaranteed. Most items can be delivered next day and if you want, you can have Rooms to Go bring it, put it together and take it away!

Shop the Rooms To Go Memorial Day Coupon Sale with 25+ coupons to help you save on furniture this Memorial Day! But offers end 5/25.

Shop RoomsToGo.com 
Find a location

Smart Home: Four Must-Haves to Automate Your Home

May 15, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 11 Comments

SponsoredPostDisclaimer

Don’t you wish everything ran on a remote?

Well…actually nowadays most everything does and I love it. Home automation is no longer something we wish for and somehow can’t believe we ever did without it! It’s the real deal after a trip to your favorite home-everything store, a few steps to get your connected and you’ll have a smart home.


Home-Automation-NFM

You know the commercial where the mom and dad are sitting on vacation and realized the kids went home and left all the lights and water running. Then with a quick touch of the phone, the dad is able to turn it all off and resecure the house? As a parent that video is REAL and so is remembering all the times you forgot if you turned off the iron, locked the door or wished you turned on the air conditioner on high before you get home in the middle of a sweltering August day in Texas.

It’s absolutely genius that now all your need is a few of these amazing smart devices and a little help from Siri to never have to turn on the fan or flip a switch ever again. Ready to go shopping at Nebraska Furniture Mart, but don’t know where to start?

Here’s Five Must-Haves to Automate Your Home

Air Conditioner/Heater
Featured: Nest Learning Thermostat

Nest

In the south, we are good friends with our thermostat. With freezing temps in the winter and blazing days in the summer, the temperature in your house is more about keeping your family healthy than it is about comfort. And that saying, “don’t like the weather in Texas, just stay around a little while, it”ll change…” it’s totally true. So when you wish you could turn on the heater because the temps have changed 30 degrees since you left the house, with the help of thermostat controls like Nest, it can happen even if your 100 miles away. Nest auto-schedule “learns” your family’s temperature preferences and programs itself in just a week, but also helps keep energy consumption low when there’s no one home.

Lightbulbs
Featured: AwoX StriimLIGHT Color Bulb with 13w Bluetooth Speaker

AwoX-Bluetooth-Light

Lightbulbs aren’t just for illuminating the room anymore; they also become your new stereo system, setting your mood for a party, studytime or when you need to play music to get your child to sleep, but you still want to have your phone with you. While there are several on the market, I loved the AwoX StriimLIGHT Color Bulb with 13w Bluetooth Speaker so much that I recommended it for a stocking stuffer for the whole family. So easy to install, you just place the bulb in one of your regular light sockets and screw it in. Yep, that easy. It provides enough light to keep the room lit as well as immediately synced with my smartphone. I was instantly listening to Rob Thomas broadcasted throughout the room. There’s no need for a bluetooth speaker in every room, just install one of these and viola, you have a new stereo system and multipurpose lightbulb.

Smoke Alarm 
Featured: Insteon Smoke Alarm and Bridge Kit

First-Alert-Smoke

I cannot count on my hands how many times I wondered if I turned off the stove, the coffee pot or my curling iron and thought I could be burning the house down as we speak. No need to worry with the new age of smoke alarms like  Insteon Smoke Alarm and Bridge Kit.  Now you can get a text or email in case of smoke, carbon monoxide, low battery, all clear, or error messages and it can also be linked to lights or other Insteon devices to turn on lights instantly in the event of an alert.

The Full-Meal Deal 
Featured: Insteon Start Here Home Automation Starter Kit

Insteon-Home-Automation-Kit

Ready to automate the whole house? With the Insteon Start Here Home Automation Starter Kit, just connect the HUB to your existing home router and start adding devices for total home connectivity.  This kit includes the HUB and two dimmers modules which allow you to remotely control one or more lights, regulate the thermostat, monitor water leaks, and with the smoke alarm bridge, you’ll even know if there’s a fire when you’re not home.


 

It is as easy as just flipping a switch to make your home safer, more comfortable and cost efficient.

BloggerAd_400x333

 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: 80s Night Pizza Party

May 11, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 23 Comments

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and TONY’S® Pizza, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #BigPizzeriaTaste 
http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Finding time just for the girls is next to impossible…and that’s if it ever makes it on the books, right?

As moms we are so centered on making sure the rest of the family gets their perfect balance of learning and fun time with others, we normally sacrifice our own. But it’s not “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” when you reconnect with your friends, it’s also about your own personal wellbeing and setting a good example to your children that life isn’t just about working ALL THE TIME. However, a party doesn’t always have to look like it came off  Pinterest. Sometimes you just have to put a date on the calendar, send out some texts and say “come on over!”


80s Movie Pizza Party #BigPizzeriaTaste #PMedia #Ad

And that’s exactly what I did a few days ago when I found myself without a huge list of to-dos…I sent out a text and said let’s do it old-school and remember what it was like before Internet, kids and responsibilities and eating pizza was the purpose of the party: 80s Pizza Party!

80s Movie Pizza Party #BigPizzeriaTaste #PMedia #Ad

With only a few hours to spare before the gals showed up, I went to Walmart to pick up a few key things for an 80s theme including TONY’S® Pizza (now 30% larger and with pizzeria taste!)

80s Movie Pizza Party

And one new item that I didn’t get to enjoy while I was growing up in the 80s – an adult beverage. Keeping up with the evening’s theme I grabbed two ingredients to make our own wine coolers – filling up the glass with a little rose and a splash of sparkling strawberry lemonade (less than $.64 at Walmart.)

80s Movie Pizza Party

While I knew the night would be full of fun and laughs, setting the tone for the evening I found the perfect set of 80s movies with greatest pizza moments of all time.

  1.  Mystic Pizza (where we all fell in love with Julia!)
  2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
  3. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
  4. Dazed and Confused
  5. The Breakfast Club

80s Movie Pizza Party #BigPizzeriaTaste #PMedia #Ad

Instead of drinking every time we hear a word, we’d eat pizza every time the stars in the movie did, too.

With the help of TONY’S® Pizza and Netflix, I had a fun party in less than 30 minutes. And for less than $3 per pizza, the whole party only cost about what it did for a pair of Keds, circa 1988. Now don’t wait for the special occasion, just send out some texts, download this coupon to save $.75 off any TWO Tony’s Pizza (now until 6/30/15 and while supplies last.)

80s Movie Pizza Party #BigPizzeriaTaste #PMedia #Ad

Don’t you wish life was still as easy as a party with pizza, popcorn, pop and popular quotes? 

 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Night Out

May 7, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 16 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calvin Klein. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #IC #euphoria4moms

I don’t intentionally mean not to make time for date night, it just happens. We’ll it actually doesn’t happen and that’s the problem.

We both know that it’s important to spend time together away from the kids to concentrate on celebrating parts of our marriage. But it seems so counterintuitive that the thing that is supposed to be a treat – something to look forward to that doesn’t require me to cook, clean or work, but instead have a good time, shouldn’t be so much work to make it happen. Finding the time, a babysitter, what to wear, what to do, where to go, and making sure things are good for the kids, etc. is a lot to coordinate and that’s just to get out the door. But I made a commitment that this time we wouldn’t let it just pass by on the calendar, we would go, experience something new, put on some and do it when we never go out – a weekday.

Now through Mother's Day, buy a large spray of euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection at Macy's and Dillard's and you'll also receive a beautiful live orchid with your purchase.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we would celebrate with a night on the town to FINALLY go to one of the “bucket list” restaurants we had been eyeing, Clark Food & Wood Co. And I would make it a point to dress up, wear something new, instead of something I had owned for years, and feel good about myself – you know, like you would have done when you first started dating and a date was a really big deal.

Say More This Mother's Day with Euphoria Calvin Klein

Ironically, when I went to look for a dress at, I was surrounded by young girls, having their makeup done, their hair done and beautiful dresses…it was prom season and I was smack dab in the middle of the beauty portion. However, it kinda added to my preparation period to and now I also wanted to make our night memorable, too. While our evening didn’t call for sequins, I wanted something when I slipped it on it made me feel alluring, sexy and make my husband drool – just a little. A few sprays of euphoria Calvin Klein, with its exotic florals and hints of mahogany wood, was exactly the right touch to make this day the “every day special occasion.”

Clark-Food-and-Wine-Co

The night at Clark Food and Wine Co. on Lower Greenville was ideal with the perfect patio temperature to enjoy eating outdoors and taking our time to exploring the menu that’s designed for sharing. Starting with craft cocktails including roasted bone marrow with truffle, grilled Texas Bobwhite quail, and a mind-blowing charcuterie with a rabbit and pork pate that I couldn’t stop eating and a buttermilk bleu cheese with honeycomb combo that could be dessert within itself.

Clark-Food-and-Wine

We tried things we don’t normally eat and best of all, there were even options for those are gluten-sensitive so we didn’t have to make big exceptions to the dining experience. Kinda like a song, the evening was right, the food was right and the delicious Sangiovese  we enjoyed down to the last drop made the night one for the books. While we bit into the bites of housemade picked and caper berries, we actually had the opportunity to talk about things that weren’t work or kid related, but us – the ones we met when we first met and decided to create a family together.

[Tweet “Celebrate #MothersDay w/ a Night Out! @Dillards, @clarkfoodwineco & #euphoria4moms #IC #ad”]

While I’ll love the Mother’s Day cards the kids will give me on Sunday with the breakfast of Pop Tarts they’ll make, this Mother’s Day it was nice to celebrate a night out with the other part of me that made me a mother…my husband.

Euphoria-Mothers-Day

Make your Mother’s Day mean more when euphoria Calvin Klein.  Now through Mother’s Day, purchase a large spray from the euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection at and receive a complimentary live orchid.


Urgent Care For Kids at Your Door in an Hour

May 6, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

SponsoredPostDisclaimerEver been thrown up on by your kid?

Funny how it never happens during the day when the pediatrician’s office is open, but rather after hours when you have little to no option to take them anywhere.  AND after cleaning them up, you up and everything else up, you then get to go to some dodgy after hours care place and wait your turn all while holding your sick kid in your arms in the middle of the night. Not to mention if you have more than one kid and a single parent, you’re loading up the whole gang for the trip – and we aren’t talking about a vacation.

PediaQ


Those are the days (and nights, actually) that put the CHALLENGE in www.mamachallenge.com.

But we’ve got a solution and it comes at the click of your finger.  Already in North Dallas and expanding into other areas of DFW soon, PediaQ is the on-demand urgent kids care house call service that comes to you and your kiddo. Founded and funded in October 2014 by Jon O’Sullivan, PediaQ is the first and only on-demand service focused solely on the pediatric market, 4 pm – 8 am on weekdays and 24 hours per day on weekends.

When your child is in need of urgent care, with PediaQ you have the comfort and security of knowing that your child has the highest quality care at your fingertips.  By using the app, you not only request an appointment, but are able to see the credentials and reviews of the staff, have your medical information safely and securely shared with your pediatrician and have a pediatric nurse practitioner at your door in about an hour. Plus electronically connect to your pharmacy for fast, convenient prescriptions!

PediaQ-benefits

At around $150 for standard hours and $250 for after hours care, many insurance providers may reimburse you for your PediaQ visit. And HSA credit card may be used to pay for the services.

Not to mention they won’t judge you if you are covered in vomit. Just don’t reach out to shake their hand when they come to the door.

And for a limited time, PediaQ is offering a special discount to try their service. (Make sure to confirm the discount to ensure it’s still valid.)

Pedia-Q is the app you

For more information visit their website (www.pediaq.care) and follow them on Facebook.

Say More This Mother’s Day with Euphoria Calvin Klein

April 29, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 21 Comments

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Calvin Klein. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. #IC #euphoria4moms

What’s the best gift you’ve been given for Mother’s Day?

Some moms may receive a piece of jewelry. Others might unwrap an appliance like a mixer or a vacuum. And others, well we don’t necessarily get anything at all.

Ironically it’s not that we expect something huge or extravagant. However, something like flowers or something that makes us feel good about ourselves goes a long way to say “thank you,” “I love you” and “you’re special.”

This Mother’s Day say all of that and more with one purchase for euphoria Calvin Klein.

Euphoria-Mothers-Day

Now through Mother’s Day, buy a large spray of euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance collection at Macy’s and  and you’ll also receive a beautiful live orchid with your purchase.

Orchid-Euphoria-MamaChallenge

Many women work to find a fragrance that personifies them and gets people to notice when they walk into a room because the scent is intoxicating and calls for attention in addictive way. With a long day of diapers, dishes and making dinner, it’s an incredible feeling of escape with just a few drops of euphoria Calvin Klein to make you feel mysterious, sexy and feminine.

With creamy notes of pomegranate, persimmon touched with rich black orchid and the champaca flower, euphoria Calvin Klein is a unique scent featuring seductive florals and exotic fruits.  The signature of the scent is based with a sexy liquid amber and mahogany wood.

The heart of euphoria Calvin Klein is captured in the unique bottle inspired by the sophisticated design of the sensuous orchid with an amethyst color with a sleek silver top.

Best of all with this special coupling Mother’s Day is taken care of for you and him…

Connect with Calvin Klein

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest


Cheer Up with Cherries: Gluten-Free Black Forest Brownies

April 24, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 25 Comments

#MarketStreetDFWIf life is a bowl full of cherries then I know why I’m so giddy to share these next two dishes featured the sweet-red fruit.

Yes, it’s cherry time and Market Street has delicious cherries in store ripe for the picking.

Cherries are ripe for the picking at Market Street


But other than the beautiful color and stems make for hours of fun, what do you really know about cherries?

Did you know? 

  • Potassium: Cherries are a good source of potassium. 1 cup = approx. 270 mg. Potassium plays an important role in muscle, heart, kidney and nerve cell function. It also helps counterbalance sodium, which helps maintain water levels throughout the body.
  • Antioxidants: Cherries contain Beta Carotene, Vitamin C and Quercetin. Combined, this trio can help prevent cancer, heart disease and can also help slow the signs of aging.. Also cherries have heart-health benefits because Anthocyanins (antioxidants) give cherries their red color. Those antioxidants may help reduce inflammation and cholesterol.
  • Melatonin: Cherries contain melatonin (which helps regulate sleep cycles) and may be helpful for getting a better night of sleep and fighting jet lag.

And cherries aren’t just good for you to eat….they also keep you full longer with high fiber and lots of water content.

[Tweet “1 cup of cherries contains 90 cal., 3 gr. fiber + can prevent overeating. #MarketStreetDFW #Ad “]

Market Street has a huge selection of gluten-free ingredients.

All this talk about cherries stirred up a severe craving for black forest cake. Unfortunately, since we’re trying to be a gluten-free, black forest cake seemed a little out of the picture (and way more work than I was willing to give that day.) However, a recent find at Market Street, my go-to resource for tons of GF sweets and pastas, I found a great mix from Namaste. Using the mix as the base, I cooked up the cherries with a little sugar and covered the top of the dough with the cherry concoction followed by some large dark chocolate chunks for good measure.

Market Street is the source for gluten-free products

After about 30 minutes in the oven, I almost couldn’t take the aroma of the chocolate and cherries any longer. The smell was intoxicating so I could only hope the taste was at least half as good. Too bad I had to let ’em cool just enough to sink my teeth into…

Black Forest Brownies MarketStreet

HEAVEN. Chocolatey, cherry fabulousness. Like really. That good. And only a few ingredients until you have one of the best desserts I’ve eaten in a long time.

Black-Forest-Brownies-Market-Street-MamaChallenge

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Gluten-Free Black Forest Brownies


Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 cups fresh pitted cherries
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla

Brownie Mix:

  • 1/2 package of Namaste Foods Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, water, juice, sugar and cornstarch.
  2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in almond extract.
  4. Allow to cool slightly before using.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare brownie mix as instructed.
  6. Fill mix in a pan.
  7. Drop tablespoons of cherry filling across the top (12-16 piles across the top.)
  8. Using a knife, swirl cherries across the top in a swirl pattern.
  9. Sprinkle chocolate chips across the top.
  10. Cook for 35-38 minutes in the oven.
  11. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

That’s not the only thing that got the cherry juices flowing…just check out the Cherries Jubilee Grilled Cheese I made for the 2015 Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown, now until May 12.

Cherries-Jubilee-Grilled-Cheese

With a $15,000 grand prize it’s worth an afternoon of cheese, bread and whatever else you think will make an award-winning grilled cheese. If you don’t do it for the contest, then at least make sure you don’t let Grilled Cheese Month get away from you without a little celebration (although a grilled cheese never needs a reason to be celebrated!)

15-Deli-0086-Grilled-Cheese-Landing-Page

And if you are still craving cherries, Market Street has many cheery cherry recipes on Pinterest. 

Follow Market Street’s board Cherry Season on Pinterest.

Five Dresses Every Woman Needs in Her Closet

April 22, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 16 Comments

SponsoredPostDisclaimer

“Say ‘yes’ to the dress.”  “Dress to kill.” “Dress for success.” “Dress like you mean it.”

Yes, a dress is much more than just a piece of clothing.


It’s about how you feel about yourself when you slide on your heels and you grab once last glimpse in the mirror that sets the tone: “today’s going to be a good day.”

It’s about walking with your head held high into a room and knowing that you made an indelible impression because everyone is looking at you.

It’s about knowing every time you look at the dress you’ll remember the special occasion you wore it for and everything about that day – even if it was just a Sunday afternoon in September.

The dress isn’t just about the cut, the color or the fabric. It’s about how it all comes together to fit you and your personality.

While there’s always a reason for a new dress, finding the RIGHT dress at the right time isn’t always easy. However, with these five dresses from Eliza J, every woman needs in her closet you’ll be ready for whatever occasion that comes your way including that wedding, graduation, date night, or just Sunday afternoon.

1.  The Perfect Office Outfit

Whether you need to command attention for a big presentation or sit in multiple meetings while still maintaining a put together look after several hours, this cobalt blue dress with a flare skirt from Eliza J is right blend of power and pretty in one professional package.

Eliza J Dresses - Office Perfect

 2. Garden Party Chic

From Easter, Mother’s Day, Wedding Shower to Garden Party, this lacy number screams spring with blooming flowers and makes you want to sing “I feel pretty,” right?

Eliza J Dress - Garden Party

 3. Girls Day Out

Whether it’s a day out with the girls for a brunch get together to catch up and maybe sneak in a little shopping, this dress helps to show off the right places wiht the pop of color that makes the other girls GREEN with envy.

Eliza J Dress - Girls Out

 4. Ready for Fun

From dinner, dancing or walking down the beach, the color of this dress is the ultimate mix of feminity and sophistication and the long, flowing maxi skirt makes it easy to still look amazing even if you don’t feel like shaving.

Eliza J Dresses - Maxi

 5. The Little Black Dress

You can never go wrong with the little black dress. This one includes a dramatic lace design and cinches at the waist with the detailed headline to accentuate your best assets. This LBD can be worn for the theatre, formal dinner or to that special event.

Eliza J Dresses - LBD

Coveted by style bloggers around the world, Eliza J has every ingredient for that perfect dress: style, quality, and a dash of vintage for that classic look. Forever on trend with inspiration directly rom the runway, Eliza J’s prints are bound to introduce new friends. Every print on the line is developed by talented artists and is truly beautiful, feminine and unique. From day to evening, Eliza J is the perfect fit for today’s modern form. You will look fabulous and more importantly feel pretty.

No matter what kind of dress you’re looking for, just make sure it makes you feel as pretty on the outside as you are in the inside.

 

Fight Hunger Spark Change to Donate 75 Million Meals with Walmart

April 20, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Walmart.Disclosure

In Arlington, Texas, we are all about teams…

ATT-Stadium

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

Globe Life Park, Home of the Texas Rangers

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

Walmart, Home to the Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign

Our local Walmart is planted directly in between Globelife Park, home of the Texas Rangers and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. However, this time our team is setting out to fight hunger with the Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign.

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

When you look around you, wherever you are, at the store, at work, at school it’s hard to think that 1 in 6 of those people you are looking at, talking to or passing in the hallway or in the aisle is struggling with hunger.

With such astronomical proportions, it’s really hard to even begin to think how you can help.

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

However, now until May 3, by just buying specially marked items you already buy regularly at Walmart, snap a shot of six friends or by just making a donation at your local Walmart, you can make a difference to FIGHT HUNGER SPARK CHANGE to have 75,000,000 meal donations to local food banks with Feeding America.

Yes, it’s that easy to make a difference!

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at  http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

1) For each participating product purchased at Walmart now May 3, suppliers will make a donation to help secure one meal* on behalf of local Feeding America food banks. Together with Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft and Unilever, Walmart hopes to secure 75 million meals* by the end of the campaign. For more information and a list of participating products, please visit walmart.com/fighthunger.

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

2) Walmart customers can donate to their local Feeding America food bank at the registers of any participating Walmart.

3) Share the movement on your social media channels to generate a donation.

Here’s how it works:

  • Take a picture of six people who commit to solving hunger
  • Post your picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and connect it to the hashtag #WeSparkChange—make sure your post is public so it can be seen and counted
  • Share your post
  • Walmart will donate $10 for every qualifying post, up to $1.5 million**

Make a difference with the #FightHungerSparkChange campaign at Walmart, now until May 3. Learn more at http://wm8.walmart.com/Hunger

We’re only half way there today and only a few weeks left to help make it to 75,000, o00. I know you’ll be doing some grocery shopping in the next three weeks – just make sure to grab the boxes with the sticker “FIGHT HUNGER SPARK CHANGE” and your item = one meal.

walmart-spark-change-logo

If you don’t think hunger is a problem for you or those people are around you, you might want to think twice.

 

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

Get REAL Solutions for REAL Parents that Work! From recipes, things to do, parenting tips (and fails) and how to cope with everything in between, she'll share all the best ways to take on your (mama) challenges... http://www.mamachallenge.com/about/

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Save on Fun All Year Long! Code: MAMACHALLENGE

Junk Food without the Junk: Healthy Versions of Junk Food

Summer Fun at the Hilton Anatole JadeWaters

SHOP MAMACHALLENGE!


More TV Segments Not To Miss

Patriotic Pie

Red, White and Blue: July 4th Treats

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Oh, Pumpkin! Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips

MamaChallenge.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

You’ll LOVE This!

logo
Food Advertisements by

Pin This!

Visit Mama Challenge's profile on Pinterest.

Pictures Say a 1000 Words

mamachallenge

❤️Real Solutions for Real Parents
👩‍👧‍👦Food | Wine | Parenting | Travel | Life
📌ArlingtonTX
📧 autumn@mamachallenge.com

Mamachallenge.com
I put it off all day because I didn’t want to ha I put it off all day because I didn’t want to have to start the inevitable, but here we are the first #SeniorSunday for Jackson Benham Reo. (I’m so not ready.)
Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq for being named #7 in @texasmonthly 2025 Top 50 BBQ! 

We’ve done our own BBQ stop shopping this last year from our own @hurtadobbq, @smokenashbbq and @225bbq in Arlington, @goldeesbbq and @panthercitybbq in Fort Worth, @zavalasbarbecue in Grand Prairie and @franklinbbq in Austin, no one can say that BBQ is BBQ. It’s as vastly different as the landscape as Texas. Now I’m off to @burntbeanco - #sequin here we come with the rest of the state!

#bbq #texasbbq
I can’t believe these are my people…my people I can’t believe these are my people…my people are supposed to be toddlers with Thomas the Train and Disney Princess backpacks! 

Goodbye 11th and 7th grade!
🚨 ACT NOW: Keep Public $$$ in Public Schools! 🚨

Click Here (takes less than one minute): 
https://www.txpta.org/take-action

Tomorrow, March 11, the Texas House Committee on Public Education will hear HB 3. Let’s make it clear: Public money demands public accountability!

Texans have rejected vouchers since 1957—yet lawmakers are once again pushing them through with SB 2 and HB 3.

💰 Vouchers drain public school resources.
📉 They don’t improve student achievement.
❌ They aren’t about "parent choice"—private schools choose their students.
🏫 Texas parents already have school choice.

Governor Abbott is making vouchers a priority, but Texans are pushing back. Lawmakers are feeling the heat from voters who refuse to let public schools be undermined.

📲 Take 1 minute to make your voice heard NOW!

📷Jackson and Taylor are 2 of the 5.5 million reasons why Texas must keep public dollars in public schools. I was a product of public schools and had an amazing experience in a rural community with some of the best teachers. Change needs to happen, but taking away resources like these from schools is not especially when they ste already underfunded and our teachers’ morale is at an all time low. Communities work better together not when you separate them further apart. 

#studentsrworthit
#txptarally25
❣️…Pressing pause (for while)… Forgot wha ❣️…Pressing pause (for while)…

Forgot what it feels like to RELAX? The Sanford House Inn & Spa is ready to help you “Leave Your Worries Behind” with packages to treat yourself (or someone else) this Valentine’s Day! 

You “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with multiple options including a Hot-Stone Massage, Facials, Spa Manicure + Pedicure, Blowouts, Foot Reflexology and even lunch (with wine!

Just take a look at my face - I was able to “turn it off” (for a little while) and when I left my dry winter skin was just glowing - plus I learned how to make it stay that way from my very  knowledgeable esthetician! 

If you haven’t tried this gem in the middle of Arlington, you’re missing out! The Spa is just part of experience with its 12-room Inn and acclaimed 506 Restaurant (don’t sleep on the brunch), @thesanfordhouse is your little piece of heaven in the middle of downtown!

Think it’s only a little dream? It will be if you don’t make an appointment or nudge your loved one this is what you NEED for Valentine’s Day! (But don’t worry you can still get a great experience anytime!)

Link is in my stories for full list of Valentine’s Day packages! 

📍506 N. Center Street, Arlington, Texas
(Less than 1 mile from @attstadium)

#valentines #dfw #ArlingtonTx #sanfordhouse
Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights Thi Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights

This is the last weekend of the “Christmas lights you can see from space” from the twinkliest town in Texas, @visitjctx!

You have until Sunday…and while you’re there you should hit up @halterranchtx, my other new favorite.

#gofredtx #fredericksburgtx @visitfredtx @visitfredericksburgtx
FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the st FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the station doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a Classic Christmas (and we have the keys!)

@ClassicChristmas has been extended until Sunday, Jan. 5, so if you haven’t been enjoy this VIP experience with ice skating and snow tubing! 

Giveaway includes 4 Tickets to Classic Christmas + 4 Premium pass upgrades plus: 
🎟️ Exclusive Express Lane entry to popular activities 
🎟️ $10 merch credit at the Classic Christmas Gift Shop  
🎟️ Coca-Cola Beverage

To enter:   
⭐️ Like this post  
⭐️ Comment what’s your favorite Christmas song 
⭐️ Tag a friend who would love the chance to come
⭐️ Share this story as an extra chance to win!

The giveaway is open now through December 30 at 11:59 pm and you’ll have December 31 - January 5, 2025 to enjoy the fun! Winner will be contacted by DM so profile must be public.  (Giveaway is not associate with Instagram/META.) 

#classicchristmas #cocacola #Arlingtontx #ArlingtonTexas #cocacola @enchantdallas #dfw #dfwevents #mamachallenge #dfwinfluencer #dallasinfluencer
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of Trees

 🎄 Tour of Trees at Trinity Falls in McKinney
 🗓️ Now through Dec. 15 (so hurry up!) 

Know what’s better than touring homes? Touring homes with beautifully decorated Christmas trees! 

@trinityfallstx has brought both worlds together by inviting the public to explore their model homes with professionally- styled trees by @absholidaydecor at the 5th Annual Tour of Trees. While you marvel at the homes and the trees, take your photos in front of the trees for a chance to win $500 Amazon gift card.  

TIP: Don’t miss the tree collaboration with #RHOD @dandrasimmons - it’s “beeutiful!” 🐝 

This event is FREE, but registration is required. (Link is in stories or DM “Tree” for the link.)

 #touroftrees #trinityfalls #trinityfallstx #mckinney #mckinneytx #mckinneytexas
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo Lights

🌲 Dallas Zoo
🗓️ Now - January 4 

Wonder what the @dallaszoo is like after dark? Once Upon a Wild Light comes alive with more than two million lights, 5:30 pm - 9 pm each night through January (so you can do this one with your family during the holiday break!) 

While many of the animals sleep, DinoLumia and DinoVision: a Jurassic adventure comes out to play, along with tons of holiday light photo opps and winter fun experiences. Enjoy catching up through self-guided, self-paced walk-through and spend time together while taking photos, which is ideal if you don’t like the holiday overload! And don’t sleep on Santa here, as he has a certain twinkle in his eye the kids always seem to like to catch up with (mom was even able to get a shot.) 

And for the even bigger kids over 21, Dallas Zoo: After Dark, goes wild on Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-9 PM with eats, treats and holiday drinks,live music, and games and other ways to get you in the holiday spirit! 

 @DallasZoo @ReliantEnergy #dallas #dallasholiday #dfwevents #dallaszoolights #holidays #zoo #dallastexas #mamachallenge
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Ch WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Christmas 

🌲 Coca Cola Classic Christmas - Choctaw Stadium in Arlington  
🗓️ Now through Dec. 29

Growing up @cocacola made the holidays magic, so when Coca Cola Classic rolled down the road, we had to go peek! Partnering with @enchantchristmas, the experience is part lights, part photo opps and for my kids mostly FOOD and overall a lot of fun - all washed down with (of course, a Coca Cola!) 

What was also great was a little walk through memory lane with Coke Christmas moments throughout the years - cue the polar bears and 18 wheeler!

Experience: 
🎅Market Square (definitely hit up the t-shirts - reading each one is half the fun)
🎅 Snow Tubing (always our favorite)Ice Skating (truth: we don’t skate, but it’s perfect people watching) 
🎅 Interactive Light up Dance Floor
🎅 @cinemark Theatre with holiday movies 
🎅 Coca-Cola Lounge - 21+ Cocktail experience (looked great to go with the girls)
🎅 Santa Landing

And of course, the Eatery! Eyes (and mouths) got big here with featured food from State Fair of Tex winners like The Drowning Tacos (SO GOOD we then ordered the Birria Tacos, too all cooked onsite and with all the sauce!) 

It’s the real thing!

#ClassicChristmas #ChoctawStadium #ArlingtonTx #CocaCola #Dallas #DFWEvents #DFWHoliday #DFWInfluencers
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Li WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Lights

🎄 Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie 
🗓️ Now through Dec. 31 (NYE) at 6 pm 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without @prairielights- with a packed car with blankets, Santa hats, hot cocoa and coffee, and blasting holiday music while we sing them even louder.  

A stunning two-mile drive through light park complete with a midway stop - The Holiday Village with carnival rides, amazing bites (corndogs, funnel cakes and more, oh my!) And this year we were surprised with a new light tunnel, reimagined walk-through forest and new displays, great photo opps, gifts, visit with Santa, a lighted strollable forest.  It’s perfectly timed for food, fun and a little time on foot! 

PRO TIP: Go early, get tickets in advance and spring for the fast pass on the weekends and prime holiday times. And enjoy it and don’t try to rush it - enjoy it! That includes entry and the experience (so bathroom before you go, but thankfully there’s one at The Holiday Village and you get the corn dog.) 

#GoGrandGP @grandfungp #GrandFunGP #dfwinfluencer #Dallas #grandprairie #prairielights #dfw
Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there are still some ways to give a little love to Thanksgiving with a little DIY (hello old pumpkins!) from Mama Challenge! 

So excited to see my friends over at Good Day Fox 4 today for this fun segment!
Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 # Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 
#nationalcoffeeday 

#cinncinati #kentucky #newport #coffee #fall
Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebr Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebrating all month long with its #SaveTheTacos campaign, now - September 30.

Try and vote for “Best Taco in Arlington” from 12 participants:

🌮 Fiesta Fusion Shrimp Taco at Boiling Tails Co.

🌮 The Hunter Taco at Cut & Bourbon

🌮 El Jefe at Grounds and Gold
 
🌮 Jamaican Me Crazy at M’Jays House of Smoke

🌮 Champiqueso at Papaya Mexican Grill

🌮 What the Falafel at Prince Lebanese Grill

🌮 He’s Just a Po Boy at R Bar and Grill 

🌮 Celestial Pork Belly Taco at Rocketbelly
 
🌮 House Special Barbacoa at Tic-Taco
 
🌮 The Chicken of Wall “Street” at TJ’s Catfish & Wings & BBQ

🌮 Baja Shrimp Taco with Mango Salsa at Tom’s Burgers & Grill
 
🌮 Wanna Taco ‘Bout It at Zack’s Bistro

We can tell you which one is our favorite, but take away all the fun to find your favorite! 

(Link to Vote in Stories!)

#ArlingtonTX #TacoTuesday #SavetheTacos
Always great to see a few guys who work together l Always great to see a few guys who work together like each other, too.

It’s even better when they’re Texas Rangers and  we’re celebrating Hall of Famer Adrían Beltré!
And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and then they drove off!)
Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind e Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind experience in DFW. 🚨 

Named after Bangkok’s legendary road of entertainment of all kinds (Sukhumvit Soi 11), it seems fitting this newly imagined destination would find its home in Arlington’s Entertainment District. Anchoring the NEW @loewsarlington, @soycowboytx (also from @bbbutchers / @berghospitality) recently swung open the curtain this summer with an opening that made heads turn at every corner of this 12,000 sq. ft. of sexy space - with 3 unique bars, patio, viewable kitchen and dining room. 

To call it a “Pan Asian restaurant” doesn’t do it justice with its rich menu of fresh sushi, dim sum, caviar, truffle, lobster, waygu (all things you don’t find in the home of the margarita machine and ballpark nachos.) And if you’re looking for entertainment, just take a peek into the expansive kitchen and watch your rolls or omakase be made. The cocktail menu is just as extravagant with everything from mezcal to Japanese whisky, you’re eyes will be just as happy as your lips upon your first sip. 

While we experienced live music, fashion show and more as part of the opening, the cool smoke installation and the people-watching is definitely just part of the menu at Soy Cowboy you’ll have to explore. 

Food Nerd Note: SoyCowboy is on the upcoming @dfwrestaurantweek menu for just $39, so it’s a steal to take your own trip on a budget. (Make your reservation.)

Chon mean (or what we hope is Cheers in in Thai!)
NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 ( NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 
(Well today at least.)

Normally we’re always behind the smartphone camera, today we stepped out in front of the TV screen! The lovely folks at the new morning show Morning on Merit Street @morningonmeritstreet invited DFN for a little “roundtable” discussion about dining trends with our own Food Nerd @autumnreo / @mamachallenge and Bill Trevino of @craftandvinerestaurant CraftandVine along with hosts @dominiquesachse and @fanchonstinger for a little dishin’ on dining!

(If you’re able to take a look online, keep watching to see our new friend Pearl 🐶 and friends from @sweetpearlsicecream share their incredibly sweet story with @hungreehannah!) 

✔️ And just like we shared on the show, we want to know what you think! What do you think about Table Limits on reservations? Yes restaurants should have them or no way?
Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grad Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce! It’s hard to separate them, but we’re excited he’s so happy to be ready for this adventure!
July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the n July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the neighborhood shines!
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Along!

Tweets by @mamachallenge

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in