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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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Holiday Challenge: Holiday Picks for Her

December 18, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 9 Comments

The holidays are hard enough. Whether you shop JCPenney or its new upscale boutique “Jacques Penné,” take the JCPenney Holiday Challenge and rethink how easy you can get everything on your list.

Thanks to JCPenney for marking off the holiday checklist and sponsoring this post.

Have you finished your holiday shopping already? If so, then you can stop here.

For the rest of us (which I know is really most of us), one of the biggest challenges at the holidays is completing finding the time and the money to complete your ever-changing holiday must-buy list. #mamachallenge.


JCPenney Holiday Challenge

Trying to keep track of what everyone wants and needs gets to be overwhelming especially when you want to keep your gifting within your budget. And you get spread so thin trying to get it all done – and still see that smile on their face when they open it.

This season take the holiday challenge, #JCPchallenge, at JCPenney and beat your holiday budget. Get all you want for less than you think – from hot trending items and holiday must-haves to unexpected finds – all available in-store or online at great value.

JCPenney is helping to mark off your list no matter who you need to get something for, especially with its new Jacques Penné (JCPs upscale moniker). Opened in NYC for just two days, guests could experience JCPenney “with rose colored glasses” a beautifully curated holiday boutique decorated with a nod to JCPenney’s play on the penny with copper and penny decor. With Christmas trees and wreaths made of pennies, you can only believe it if you see it. It’s truly absolutely stunning! The pop-up was lined with specially selected upscale gifts designed in nine collections including picks from celebrity Nicole Richie.

JacquesPenne

JacquesPenne

 

Thankfully you can still visit and select your favorite finds in the the luxury online boutique until Jan. 7. Once you build your wish list in the virtual shop, the link will show where the item is find already on JCPenney.com.

Kinda genius, right?

That’s showing you how to rethink your JCPenney as the best place to shop for one-stop, affordable shopping for all things holiday this season.

And with JCPenney Reward opportunities, special offers for big savings like DEALS33, and much more, you can’t afford to not save at JCPenney. (Check online or in your circular for current discounts and promotions.)

Just take a look at some of my favorite holiday finds I picked after a online look at the Jacques Penne online boutique.

Funny enough I’m sure these are more like my want list for Christmas (hint, hint honey.)

JCPenney Holiday 2017 Picks

1/10 CT. T.W. Double Halo Diamond Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver

At just $25 (normally $124 so almost 75% off), these diamond studs will make any girl happy, at any age.JCPenney Holiday Challenge

Project Runway Bomber Jacket

Designed on Project Runway, bring home your own piece from the runway with Project Runway from JCPenney. And this bomber is all about getting attention and at less than $40 that gets mine!

Worthington Bell Sleeve Lace Top

Dress it down, dress it up this Worthington Bell Sleeve Lace Top shows off the best of you for just $22 and is available in various colors.

Sephora Inside JCPenney Lash Party

A pick from Sephora Inside JCPenney is always a win, but with the limited edition holiday gift sets, you can’t go wrong – especially with this Last Party Sampler.  With five sample size mascaras and one full size this set is must retailing at $74 for just $28.

Mixit Statement Necklace

Go bling or go home with this statement Mixit necklace that’s a showstopper for only 15!

Sassy Stemless “You Had Me at Merlot” & Gold Wine Opener

Under $10, toast to the holidays with this festive gold and black wine glass. A perfect party favor or way to make any event festive.

Be the hostess with the mostest style with this gold wine opener, the ideal complement to your sparkle glass.

 

Liz Claiborne Charging Wristlet 

Any modern day girl needs this Liz Claiborne Charging Wristlet in her wardrobe. Keep it classy while you keep your smartphone charging up for those snappable moments.

North Pole Trading Co. Mermaid Sequin Pillow

Gold? Black? You can have it however you want it with this gorgeous North Pole Trading Co. Mermaid Sequin pillow (less than $20!) featured as part of the Jacques Penne boutique.

See how much I saved and I gave?

(Receipt photo)

With so much to offer, take the Holiday Challenge from JCPenney.  Saving money and getting it all done, that’s #SoWorthIt, right!?!

10 Quick Gift Picks to Check Off Your List {Giveaway}

December 15, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 18 Comments

In the final stretch to Christmas, get it all done with 10 Quick Gift Picks to Check Off Your List and your holiday fun all in one at Allen Premium Outlets. Plus win a $50 Simon Gift Card too!

Thanks to Allen Premium Outlets for making Christmas easy and sponsoring this post + giveaway.

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

In the spirit of Christmas (and to keep my name on the Nice List), I’m going to share a big truthful secret:


I don’t have one gift under my tree. Not. One. Single. Gift.

And while I’d like to lie and say the Grinch made a visit down my chimney, honestly, in getting the normal to-do list done, I haven’t any time to get the Christmas to-do complete.

So if the holiday hustle has you sweating, don’t worry, here’s a plan that’ll make it easy to get both your shopping done and get in the holiday spirit all at the same time at Allen Premium Outlets. And at 25 to 65 percent off regular retail price, your pocketbook will be jolly too!

 

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List at Allen Premium Outlets

Giving Back with the New Kid on the Block  

Gotta love some baby bling! For those new arrivals (and new arrivals to be), these sparkle TOMS are the cutest thing in the world! And you can surprise the mama with her own matching pair.  Best of all, when you purchase TOMS they’ll give a pair of new shoes to another child in need.  

Allen 10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Christmas Traditions: PJs and Santa Pictures

Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete without those Christmas jammies! And Gymboree has some serious sales for all your Christmas clothes for the kids. These matching gingerbread PJs are just $11 and some other looks are as low as $9!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

Haven’t done your Christmas photos?Head to Gymboree for these Christmas outfits for your cuties and then see Santa here at Allen Premium Outlets on Dec. 23 for a complimentary visit and photo!

Don’t forget to sign up for Gymboree Rewards for even more savings and rewards now and throughout the year.

For Your Pet

Don’t forget your four-legged friends this Christmas. They’ll look so cute this holiday season with this Doggie Bow Tiefrom Francesca’s!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Little tip: Take an Insta of the two of you and call that your Christmas card! See that’s one more thing off your list! 

For the Stylish (or Need to be More Stylish) Man in Your Life

Santa might want to take this one for himself, this Leather Jacket with Faux Fur from Johnston & Murphy Factory Store will keep him looking sharp and warm throughout the winter season. Need the whole look? Then with big sales as low as 70% off here they have it from head to toe.)

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

For the Sports Fanatic

You’ll get nothing but cheers from your sports fan at Adidas! From the NMDs shoesjersey/shirt “flocked(that was new for me too!) Adidas affiliated soccer team name and number can be added here at the store! But if you want it flocked, you’ll need to come in soon so you can get it done before Christmas!

AllenPremOutlet

For the Guys You Don’t Know What to Get

Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Stores is where I go every year. Yep, they all know that’s what they’re getting and look forward to their Polo Ralph Lauren Half-Zipper Pullover! Available in every color of the rainbow and size, this is a no brainer. Valued at almost $100, their price is normally $79.99, then on sale for $39.99 but right now with all the deals happening, I was able to get these for less than $28 a piece! SCORE!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

For The Grinch in Your Life

Do you have someone that needs to get into the holiday spirit? Then let ‘em show it with this Grinch Mug A Christmas Story Card Scramble< also from Francesca’s. It’s great for 12 and up and will keep your family gathering a little more fun!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

Toast to the Holidays with Wine and Bubbles

Also to get into the spirit these festive stemless champagne flutes and themed wine glass “Sleigh All Day” from Francesca’s makes it easy to celebrate the holidays with your favorite friends. And this cool wax wine stopperis a must for a great stocking stuffer as it serves as stopper and a candle with an LED light.

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

Paired with The 12 Drinking Games of Christmas, you’ll all be able to survive the holiday!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

And don’t forget to head to some of the newest offerings at Allen Premium Outlet like Tory Burch and Bare + Beauty!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

Need a few more gifts ideas for under your tree?

Allen Premium Outlets’ Holiday Gift Giving Guide is stuffed with retailer offers and gift giving ideas (that means even more discounts), along with the stores in the center where those great presents can be found. You can pick up this valuable resource at either the Guest Service Center, snag from a Holiday Greeters  throughout the center or even download it online now.

Can’t find the time to shop?

Allen Premium Outlets offers extended hours to accommodate the needs of busy shoppers. Visit the website for more information on specific dates and individual store hours vary.

Need Some Christmas Spirit?

Just because it’s last-minute doesn’t mean that you don’t have time to get in the spirit of Christmas. Allen Premium Outlets hosts free family entertainment on Saturdays to make it easy to get it all done!

10 Quick Gifts for Everyone on Your List Allen

Cocoa & Carolers – Saturday, Dec. 16, 7-9 PM by the Fire Pit

Families are invited to sing along with Dickens Carolers and sip on hot cocoa to get in the festive spirit.

Santa Photos – Saturday, December 23, 9 AM-8 PM outside Suite 134

You still have time to let Santa know what’s on your list and take your annual photo with the big man in red. Experience the joy and magic of the holiday season with a complimentary visit and printed photo with Santa.

Now all you have to do is left is to wrap those gifts and put them under the tree (or get it in the mail!) And if you don’t have time, you know there’s an app for that.

Allen Premium Outlets
820 W Stacy Rd
Allen, TX 75013

Now let’s win a $50 Simon Gift Card to get this shopping complete!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thank You for Everything Bagel {Printable}

December 14, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Looking for a quick way to say Thank You at work or a group or organization? Show your appreciation with this Thanks for Everything Bagel Printable + bagels for everyone.

Thanks to Einstein Bros. for this bringing us together + this sponsored post.

You should always be in the spirit of saying “thank you,” but the holidays are prime time for not just saying “I appreciate you,” but making a grand gesture to show it, too. 

Einstein-Bagels (2 of 14)


Unfortunately with so much other stuff to do during the holidays, you think about a lot of good things to do for good people but you just can’t get to it.    You think, “maybe next time,” of course that’s after another year rolls by. 

But it doesn’t have to be a big soiree or big extravagant gifts to get everyone together and to say thanks.   

At my husband’s company, employee appreciation goes a long way but there’s not a lot of time to get the team together. 

But one thing is definite that will make any office happy: free food. 🙂 

So off to Einstein Bros. Bagels I went. Great for bringing friends, family and even colleagues together, Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a variety of options including a Baker’s Dozen Box (13 Bagels with 2 Shmears) and a Half Dozen Box (6 Bagels with 1 Shmear)! 

How can you go wrong with these bagels choices: 

  • Asiago
  • Blueberry
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Cinnamon Raisin
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Cranberry
  • Egg
  • Everything
  • French Toast
  • Garlic
  • 9-Grain
  • Honey Whole Wheat
  • Onion
  • Plain
  • Poppy Seed
  • Potato
  • Pretzel
  • Pumpernickel
  • Pumpkin (Seasonal)
  • Sesame Seed
  • Apple Cinnamon
  • Cheddar Jalapeno
  • Cheesy Hash Brown
  • Green Chile
  • Power Protein 
  • Pumpkin Walnut Crunch 
  • Six Cheese
  • Snickerdoodle
  • Spinach Florentine

And Super Smears like:

  • Plain
  • Onion & Chive
  • Smoked Salmon
  • Blueberry
  • Honey Almond 
  • Strawberry
  • Garden Veggie
  • Garlic & Herb
  • Jalapeño Salsa
  • Reduced Fat Plain
  • Maple

The bagels, along with this quick 5 x 7 printable “Thanks for Everything You Do” is a super easy way to show your appreciation even your team only has a few minutes to come together in the break room. Whether it’s Christmas, Labor Day, or Wednesday, you’ll definitely make an impression without having to much at all. 

And if you can’t resist snacking before you get your Einstein Bros. to the office, snag your own with this $2 off coupon. (Personally it’s the egg sandwiches that make my mouth water.) Buy remember this coupon expires 12/31/17.

Einstein_Bros_Bagels_2_Dollars_Off_Coupon_v1

Print off yours by clicking below in two different versions and receive a PDF. 

PDF / JPG

PDF / JPG

 

The Guys Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys

December 13, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 110 Comments

Want to know the secret of getting the right gift for the guy in your life? ASK HIM. So for this holiday gift guide, we solve this #mamachallenge for The Guy’s Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys courtesy of my guy, my husband.  

Thanks to Academy Sports + Outdoors for making Christmas easy with one-stop affordable shopping and this sponsored post.

Every year around this time the inevitable question always arises:  What do you want for Christmas?


It’s a thoughtful question because it means, “I want to give you a gift to show you love and appreciation and I want you to get something you want.”

But even worse some people don’t even both to ask and just assume they know what you want.  That’s how I’ve ended up with a lot of pajamas and pullovers…and I have an ample supply.

Funny enough, most men, like myself, are not hard to please and are easy when it comes to Christmas shopping.

Want to know the secret?

  1. Go to Academy Sports + Outdoors.
  2. Put something in the basket.
  3. Go Home, Wrap it (or not, we don’t care.)
  4. Enjoy seeing his face when he opens it.

For me this place takes care of all my favorite things to do and interests and the fact that’s it’s always affordable with low prices makes it easy to give and gift.

The way my wife clicks on everything on Pinterest is how I feel about Academy. I can walk around the store and find all kinds of gifts ranging from hunting, camping, working out, cooking, fishing…whatever!.  And if your man is anything like me, they are probably the same way, and you took the work out of it and now put a present under the tree.

But if you need us to narrow it down a little bit, here’s our Guide to the Best Gifts for Your Guy at Academy Sports + Outdoors.

The Guys Guide to the Best Gifts for Guys

Masterbuilt MES 130S 30 in Digital Electric Smoker with Window

If Santa wanted to leave me something under the tree, this is it. The Masterbuilt MES 130S 30 in Digital Electric Smoker with Window makes it easy to do some cooking, actually a lot of cooking. With an electric ignition and time, you can whip up 6 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 racks of ribs or 4 pork butts all at one time. And it’s on wheels so it won’t be hard for Santa to roll this one in. This one is a win-win.

Masterbuilt

LEM Electric Meat Grinder

Every year I harvest quite a bit of meat while out hunting.  One of the best and most popular ways to put deer and hog on the table is to grind it up and then freeze it to eat throughout the year..  This is step one to making chili, sausage, and burgers.  I’ve been trying to perfect the perfect sausage recipe for several years while working from an attachment on my blender.  Unfortunately, it takes hours to get through 10 lbs of sausage and there really aren’t a lot of options for changing up how you want the meat ground up, i.e. course for chili and super fine to crank out some homemade bologna.   

With the LEM Electric Grinder you have a dedicated tool to get the job done. It comes with a couple of grinding plates and sausage stuffing tool right out of the box.  I can look forward to a much more enjoyable experience processing the game I’ve taken when using the right tool for the job from a great brand.

Outdoor Gourmet Propane Fish Fry Cart Set

To me, when I think of holiday traditions I’d like to start, I’ve always thought the “Fried Fourth” has the double appeal of patriotic alliteration combined with the sweet siren’s call of a bubbling caldron of grease.  Fried fish, calf fries, dove, shrimp, frog legs, steak fingers, chicken strips, and mounds and mounds of French fries.  Everybody sits around all days getting stuffed on an assortment of fried foods just in time to watch a majestic fireworks show.  It brings a tear to my eye and I get a little choked up dreaming about the “Fried Forth.”

But if I’m going to do that much frying, I need a rig that can handle some volume.  The Outdoor Gourmet Propane Fish Fry Cart Set can do just that.  Two burners, two pots, with three baskets can pump out a lot of golden fried goodness.  Hopefully this is the year we can bring the “Fried Forth” to America’s heartland.

Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Hog and Varmint Feeder Light

One thing most any land owner can agree on is this, wild pigs are not your friends. They tear up everything they can and multiply about as fast as anything on earth.  These are just some of the reasons to hunt pigs year-round.  Not to mention pigs can be some pretty good eating too.  One of the most efficient ways to manage these throngs of pork is to set them on a feeder and then light em up.

The Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Hog and Varmint Feeder Light can be set to activate on motion and produces a bright blue light while operating off of a 6 volt battery.  Put this up on or around your feeder at night and then just wait for a passel of hogs to show up, then, you and your buddies can get to harvesting.

Do-All Outdoors Double Trap

Next on the list is the Do-All Outdoors Double Trap because one of my favorite activities is shooting clays.  Shooting clay pigeons is a great way to stay tuned when bird season comes around and it’s great fun all by itself.  For example, when the birds aren’t flying, it’s always nice to have a standby where everyone can get on the line and test their skill for a little game of Wolf Chase.

In addition, there’s no better way to start getting your kids used to hunt that to get them out in the country and start training.  Spend some quality time as a family while learning basic hunting and shooting safety and technique.  I’m already looking forward to hearing my son yell, “Pull!”

Magellan Outdoors Men’s Glacier Shield Jacket

Our family holiday tradition is going skiing. I love to ski and we try to go somewhere new every year. While it doesn’t often get real cold in Dallas, it is when we head to Colorado. The Magellan Outdoors Men’s Glacier Shield Jacket does you a solid for all the different weather conditions that are thrown are way. And this coat comes with a storage bag so you can pack it away when not in use.

YETI Roadie 20 Cooler

Repeat this: You can’t go wrong with a YETI. Especially when it’s the convenient YETI Roadie 20 Cooler. Whether he hunts, fishes, tailgates, boats, whatever…he’s got a reason for this convenient sized cooler that keeps everything cold for days (tested a million times over!)  And for a limited time Academy Sports + Outdoors is giving a free $75 Academy Gift Card with the purchase of any YETI Hard-Sided Cooler.

Under Armour Men’s UA Storm Vortex Short

Now that winter has set in and holiday season is in full swing, it’s never too early to start thinking about that beach bod.   Maybe I could say that with a straight face when I was younger, but as the years come on it’s less about looking great and more about staying healthy.  Part of staying healthy is getting in regular workouts and when you’re working out you want to be comfortable.  Under Armour has some incredibly comfortable clothes that will help you worry less and perform better.

This Under Armour Men’s UA Storm Vortex Short is vented to keep you cool and water resistant to keep you dry.  They also have a pocket built in to keep the cell phone handy while cranking out the tunes to keep you moving.  Under Armour is a great brand and they continue to hit the mark with these shorts.

FREE SHIPPING BANNER (AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME)

Nike Men’s Run Swift Running Shoes

If you’ve got the shorts on to work out, you’ve got to have something on your feet as well.  When it comes to athletic footwear, Nike is the iconic brand that’s been around longer than I have and knows more about athletic footwear than anyone around.  I’ve also been with Nike long enough to know what I like and these Nike Run Swift Running Shoes.  These shoes are great on the pavement, the treadmill, or the gym floor.  The look of the shoe is simple, lightweight and breathable and none too flashy.

Body Champ VKR Power Tower    

I’ve been trying to finish a workout program for years now.  It’s a pretty strenuous and demanding three-month program working out 6 days a week, which has a lot to do with why I’ve never finished.  With the Body Champ VKR Power Tower you can not only do pull ups and chin ups, but can also do dips and leg raises.  In addition, you don’t have to wonder if this thing is going to fall and send me crashing to the ground.  This tower would be one more tool available to me to keep my “temple” in working order for a long time to come.

Huffy Men’s Alpine 26″ 18-Speed Mountain Bike

This Huffy Men’s Alpine 26″ 18-Speed Mountain Bike is the gift that keeps on giving. Our family has some land out in the country with some elevation to it and it’s perfect for an off the beaten path mountain bike.  And riding this will definitely help get some great exercise while going on adventures with and without the family.

The second use is a little more clandestine.  Every morning when I set out to go hunting I hop on the ATV and head down to the stand.  I know you can hear that things for miles around.  Now if I hope on my Huffy, I can peddle right by the stand and be as quiet as a mouse.  When you only get to hunt a few weekends out of the season, you want to take advantage of every edge you have.

Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit

You can never go wrong with a gift that the entire family can enjoy together.  I can see us now, all sitting around the fire grilling steaks with potatoes and onions wrapped in foil sitting right in the middle of the Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit. We’ll finish up the evening with a bunch of kids roasting marshmallows on sticks getting ready for s’mores.  If you’re going to be outside with a group of folks you’ll want to take care of him.  We can make all that happen with the Mosaic 29 in Fuego Grande Fire Pit.  It’s got everything you need.  It’ll help you cook up a mess of food and stay warm at the same time. That’s how I like family time well and like this too.

Happy Holidays to you from us!

Rum and Coke Cake Balls

December 5, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and coke cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.

This post is being sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I was growing up there were several dishes you knew to expect for the holidays.

  • Grammer’s stuffing
  • Granny’s pecan pie
  • Aunt Debbie’s corn casserole
  • Grandpa’s stash of chocolate candy in the special box at the top of his closet he tried to “hide”
  • And a huge box of Coca-Cola® to stay stocked all season long

There would also be lots of goodies like divinity, fudge, carefully decorated Christmas sugar cookies, etc. from the neighbors and friends that would get dropped by the house and remain on display for eating throughout the season.

And by no means did we ever ever, ever go without.

However, there was never fruit cake. Not once that I can remember. It was always that thing that they talked about as the “worst thing ever” – and for some reasons I wanted so bad to know what it was. But what we did have was the rum cake.

When you would pull off the cloche on the rum cake, the most amazing aroma would permeate every part of the room with a rich buttery, coconutty smell that would start at your nose and soon make its way to every part of your taste buds.

Rum and Coca-Cola Cake Balls

But I wasn’t allowed to eat it. That was for the adults. And since I wasn’t supposed to eat and my grandma seemed to love it so much, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t given the opportunity to enjoy something that was so good. It just didn’t seem right that I wouldn’t get to have some. So of course, being the me that I was, I was focused on getting a taste. And one day it happened. No one was looking and I went in for my bite. I still remember that taste. Hitting my tongue, it was better than what I could have imagined!

Later, when I got older, I would find out what that special something was. It was the same spirited concoction the adults would indulge in with their Coca-Cola®. As kids we would also be limited how many sodas we could have, but like that rum cake, it was something to savor, every drop of it from the moment you poured it over ice, until the last drop hit your mouth.

Now I’m the adult. And unfortunately many of those dishes aren’t around anymore just like the women that made them. But there are a few things we still do…but now with a twist.

There’s still chocolate…except now it’s stashed in MY closet.

There are lots of little delights already in the making…but now I’m the one that is making them for my friends and neighbors.

There’s always a stock-up on Coca-Cola® as part of my Sam’s Club run.

And while there’s still no fruit cake, there is rum cake…but with a twist.

Since rum cake and Coca-Cola® were limited as a kid I’ve retaliated with the ultimate Christmas recipe: Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls! It’s like a rum cake and rum and Coca-Cola®  in one little bite. But if you’re like me and now you’re the adult with a few kiddos running around, then you can still enjoy the rum and Coca-Cola® cake without any of the spirits by using the rum extract instead. (You can find it almost anywhere!) Just remember, that a little the Rum Extract goes a long way!)

These make the perfect gift for goodies for the holidays or as something to do as a family while you’re getting in the holiday spirit.

Nothing says the holidays better than Coca-Cola®!

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Rum and Coca-Cola® Cake Balls


  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
  • Yield: 2 1x
Print Recipe
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Description

Forget the fruitcake, these rum and Coca-Cola® cake balls are the way to ring in the season. This easy recipe can be made for giving (or keeping) with (and without) the spirits, but all the festive flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (the darker the better!)
  • 1 box Graham Cracker cookies (or approximate 400 g cookies)
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • ⅓ cup Coca-Cola®+ 1 tablespoon
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Rum Extract + 2 teaspoons
  • 450 grams dipping chocolate (There are several great versions to use, just make sure it hardens)

Optional for Topping

  • ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Coca-Cola®
  • 1 Tablespoon Spiced Rum or 1 teaspoon Rum Extract
  • 2–4 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • Colored melting chocolate

Instructions

  1. Melt chocolate and butter into microwave until smooth (normally 30 seconds.) Let cool. In a food processor, combine cookies, cocoa and sugar until fine (like sugar.)
  2. Add chocolate to the cookie mix until mixed thoroughly. (Make sure to blend until it’s even.)
  3. Add cola and rum extract until it created a ball of dough. Knead a few minutes until mixed and allow to sit for a few minutes.
  4. When able to pick up, begin making 1-1 1/2 inch balls from the dough and place on
  5. parchment or a Silpat mat.
  6. Melt dipping chocolate in the microwave until ready to dip. Using a fork, quickly coat balls in chocolate and place back on paper/mat to dry.

Notes

  • Optional: If you’d like to add a topping, use cocoa powder as a simple finish or make them even more rum and Coca-Cola® flavor, combine cola and rum (or extra together) with nuts and allow to sit so liquid can be absorbed. Once a little dry, sprinkle nuts for a finishing touch. Otherwise, you can add another melted chocolate for a special holiday touch!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Sweepstakes Information

This holiday season, include Coca-Cola® as part of your tradition. Pick up Sprite® 4 pack 2 Liter, Diet Coke® 4 Pack 2 Liter, Coca-Cola® 35 pack cans, or Coca-Cola® 30 pack Mini Cans beverages from Sam’s Club, then upload your receipt for a chance to WIN a trip for two to Los Angeles featuring:

  •       An exclusive red-carpet screening of The Greatest Showman, plus pre-show performance
  •       Round trip air transportation for two (2)
  •       Two (2) 20th Century Fox goodie bags
  •       Three (3) nights’ luxury accommodations in a Hollywood hotel
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Cheesy Pasta Pie

December 3, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

Give your holidays an Italian twist with this Cheesy Pasta Pie that’s a creative family favorite featuring rigatoni, marinara and all the cheese!

This post is sponsored by Barilla and Galbani Cheese, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

If I had to choose only two foods to eat for the rest of my life, the first one would be pasta and the second one would be cheese.

Cheesy Pasta Pie (2 of 9)


And combine them together…you find perfection.

During the holidays, I can appreciate a turkey or a ham, but honestly, when it comes to a special occasion or a special day like Christmas, my taste buds call for Italian.

Thankfully, Italian food is some of the easiest to make and it can feed a huge family! No one gets upset either when you say we’re serving lasagne. NEVER.

And you can put all the veggies in and no one complains either. BECAUSE CHEESE.

So during the holidays we’ve started to go for a more Italian menu so it keeps us out of the kitchen and doing the stuff that really matters – like visiting with family, friends, and enjoying the time together.

But of course, during the holidays, you don’t just want something you can make and eat every day. You want something that makes an impression. Something that says, “this dish is so good and I am too.”

Cheesy Pasta Pie (6 of 9)

So with the help of a springform pan, you can use Barilla pasta and marinara to make a this very unique presentation on a baked ziti using rigatoni pasta. And like whipped cream on a pie, cover the top with Galbani fresh mozzarella for the ultimate cheesy bite! (This dish can be made vegetarian as well although I opted for a lean ground chicken.)

Cheesy Pasta Pie (1 of 9)

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Cheesy Pasta Pie (4 of 9)

Cheesy Pasta Pie

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Cheesy Pasta Pie


  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Give your holidays an Italian twist with this Cheesy Pasta Pie that’s a creative twist on a family favorite featuring rigatoni, marinara and all the cheese!


Ingredients

Scale
  • INGREDIENTS
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 pound ground chicken, turkey or other protein
  • 1 16 ounce jar Barilla Marinara Sauce
  • 1 pound Barilla Rigatoni Pasta
  • 1 package Galbani Fresh Mozzarella, sliced
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic until fragrant.
  3. Add ground protein and brown. Add ½ jar of marinara to pan.
  4. While cooking, boil rigatoni until al dente (about 8-10 minutes.)
  5. Drain pasta and add other ½ off of marinara to pasta and toss.
  6. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Place on a large baking pan with parchment paper.
  7. Arrange pasta vertically in the prepped pan. Pack the rigatoni tightly.
  8. Spread the meat sauce on top of the pasta.
  9. Lay sliced mozzarella across the top of the pie. Sprinkle parmesan cheese (optional.)
  10. Bake the pasta pie in the oven for 375 degrees F for 15-20 (until melted.)
  11. Place on serving plate, then remove springform ring and serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge


Tres Leches Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip

November 27, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 24 Comments

What’s is your Christmas tradition? Toast to Santa with this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip for the creamiest way to fiesta.

Thank you to Nestlé® for helping to make the holidays a little extra special and this sponsored post #JuntosConNestle.

 
Through the years our holiday traditions have changed.

When I was a little girl Christmas lasted for weeks it seemed, traveling to one of my grandma’s or my aunt’s house, enjoying a huge meal and of course, opening presents.


But it wasn’t just what we did at the holidays together – it was the smells, the tastes, and of course, the sounds of laughter that still permeate my memories.

Tres Leches Hot Chocolate

As I have gotten older, there have been fewer holiday stops to be made. I was lucky to celebrate a few of them with my children and that maybe, just maybe they’ll remember the same things I did at grandma’s – like the way it smelled when she was cooking, the cackles she made when a joke was super funny, or grandpa’s special hiding place for his chocolate we’d all sneak a piece throughout Christmas.

However, one of my favorites is the experience of the perfect hot chocolate on Christmas. And not that stuff you get in the envelope either. This is the creamy, perfect taste of hot cocoa that Santa Claus would almost come back for if he could. My mother would spend time making hot chocolate and I never knew why she went to so much time to make it but was always thankful that she did once it was cool enough to put my lips to the mug.

It’s exactly how Christmas morning was meant to be enjoyed – including the tearing up of beautiful Christmas presents, lots of kisses and hugs, and of course, sipping rich hot chocolate with just a little bit of cream on your nose.

Now as an adult, I realize good hot chocolate can’t be quick. Like most of Christmas, it’s about the love and time you put into that will be realized only when you stop to savor what you put into it. Like a tres leches cake that layers different milks to make one of the most delectable cakes ever with ingredients you can find in your pantry.

Tres Leches Hot Chocolate

However, at the holidays, we always stock up at Walmart for items like Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk. It’s like a little miracle throughout the season when you run out of milk, want to make a rich gravy just like grandma or when you want the creamiest hot chocolate, just like this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate. And it wouldn’t be complete without homemade whipped cream (and a little bit of cinnamon and spice to make your holiday nice!


Did you know what evaporated milk is?
Basically it’s unsweetened milk without about 60% of the water removed so it’s shelf stable and takes far less product to use for recipes with milk.


But of course, this recipe don’t just use Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk, but milk, heavy cream, and Nestlé® Le Lachera® sweetened condensed milk. Now that’s the secret to creamy hot chocolate.

And maybe one other little something: cinnamon! Using cinnamon (and a little nutmeg) in the cocoa as well as the whipped cream gives it that unique taste that adds not just another layer to your Christmas but also makes it a cut above any cocoa you’ve ever had. (And if you’re up for it, add a little ancho or chile powder on the whip for even more spice!)

Whether you sit around the fire or just want to add something special to your holiday storytime, this hot cocoa recipe with Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk is the last cocoa you’ll ever make – and keep you coming back for more.

Just make sure to take the time to enjoy making it as much as you do sipping it later. That’s the real secret to this recipe (and the holidays.)

Tres Leches Hot Chocolate

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Tres Leches Hot Cocoa with Cinnamon Whip


  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Toast to Santa with this Tres Leche Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon Whip for the creamiest way to fiesta.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Cocoa
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 can Nestlé® Carnation evaporated milk
  • ⅛ heavy cream
  • ⅛ Nestlé® La Lechera® condensed milk
  • 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ tablespoon nutmeg
  • Cinnamon Whip
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (use as needed)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Cinnamon
  • Ancho or Chipotle Chile Pepper (optional)
  • Chocolate shavings

Instructions

  1. Combine all the cocoa ingredients together and stir over medium heat until warm and melted. Remove cinnamon stick.
  2. For the whipped cream, using a chilled bowl, beat whipping cream with hand mixer until stiff, adding vanilla and sugar to your liking. Serve over hot chocolate and dust with cinnamon, chocolate shavings and spices (optional.)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 1560
  • Sugar: 63
  • Sodium: 366
  • Fat: 125
  • Saturated Fat: 77
  • Unsaturated Fat: 41
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 86
  • Protein: 26
  • Cholesterol: 395

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge


Tres Leches Hot Chocolate Pinterest

Be #CurvesStrong

October 20, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 11 Comments

What does it mean to be #CurvesStrong?  It’s much more than a hashtag. 

Thank you Curves® International for sponsoring this post and making me #CurvesStrong.

A month ago I was invited for one month to Curves Fitness® Program. I had seen Curves locations before and had some preconceived notions about what a Curves program was. But since I’m always up to try anything especially when you can do it with a friend, I was game. So wine time turned to workout time and together my friend and I scheduled a month of Curves workouts together. 

Curves


The program seemed easy: join in the circle of workout machines for 30 minute workout (a two-time circuit) and go. Actually it seemed so easy that it couldn’t possible work. And without complicated rules, routines, and movements, it couldn’t possible make a real impact. 

However, the impact was much more than inches lost or a hashtag.

What I learned is that #CurvesStrong, had a lot of meanings to a lot of women. But just searching the hashtag I was transported to stories of encouragement, journeys of women getting years added back to their life because they had the energy, confidence and strength to do more, and amazing stories of weight loss that had given women a new life…all because of Curves.

#CurvesStrong is a movement for women of all ages. 

#CurvesStrong: Is health.

#CurvesStrong: Is strength. 

#CurvesStrong: Is community. 

One of the things I didn’t expect to gain from Curves was friendship. I came in with a friend so I already had that. But each time we both jumped in the ring for our circuit, we also were joined by other women that no matter what their goals – health, flexibility, weight loss – we were in it together. And we laughed together, we shared stories together and of course, when you needed a little something to keep you moving at the end of your set, we encouraged each other. In the middle, you’d always have your trainer there to assist and perfect your movements for the ultimate impact, but together as a group, that 30 minutes seemed to go by in no time. And when I was done, I had exercised, I had stretched, I burned, and I had done something for me. 

So the next time, which may be when your pants get snug, you reach a birthday milestone, or hit a new year on the calendar and begin the cycle of “what do I do to be a better me,” don’t do what you always do.

href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/sp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#sp

#curvesstronghttps://t.co/obUvgpgp1D

— Teia (@DFWSingleMom) October 12, 2017

Don’t start opening your calendar trying to figure out how you’re going to find an hour to kick your butt doing some exercise concept you’ll get bored of and hate in a month.

Don’t go back to something that worked 20 years ago and think how if you did it again for just a few months, everything would be different. 

Worst of all, don’t look at things and decide not to do anything at all. 

#ad Working on improving my tomorrows w/ @curves! #curvesstrong! You can too — pic.twitter.com/J2jGnapiAK

— Shannon Schmid (@EverydayBest1) October 5, 2017

I bet if you just looked at your day you could find 30 minutes for you. 30 minutes to breathe, 30 minutes to let go, 30 minutes to move, and 30 minutes to make a difference. And guess what you don’t even have to do one burpee. 

Curves

So what is #CurvesStrong to you? 

Visit Curves online for a location near you and experience what it can do for you. 

About Curves

Curves® is a one-stop-shop for every woman’s fitness needs. By enrolling in the Curves Fitness® Program, women are able to participate in a 30 minute, total-body workout on strength training machines. These circuit classes are designed to burn fat, increase strength, and kick start weight loss. Curves® members not only work every core muscle group in just 30 minutes, but they also become a part of a supportive group of empowered women.

Are you ready to get #CurvesStrong?

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. 

Sometimes You Just Need to Say Yes

October 4, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 15 Comments

Feel like no is the only word in your vocabulary? Turn it off and start saying yes.

Thanks to Capri Sun for giving me a new reason to say yes and feel good about it. Kraft-Heinz sponsored this post, but the opinions are all mine.

No.

NO.


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  

I feel like that there are days that’s all I say.

“Mama, can I have this toy?”

“Mama, can I ice cream for breakfast?”

“Mama, can I …..?”

Capri-Sun

It gets unnerving, it gets old, and it makes mom just as sad. It’s never fun to be the “no” person, but most of the time, that’s the way it goes and someone that “no” just creeps into everything else. (They never said parenting was easy!)

Even when a friend you’ve been dying to catch up with finally asks you to do something, you even so “no” and you don’t even know why. It becomes part of your system and it sucks (eloquent, aren’t I?)

I looked to the Internet gods about this chronic “no” syndrome and you know what they suggested? Rephrase your statements.

HAHAHAHA!

I don’t have time to do that! Besides no is efficient and there’s no wondering if what I was saying was a no or a yes, it’s a firm no.

However, there’s a point a mom just wants to say yes.

Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes.

It even feels good to say yes, right? It makes you smile, makes you happy, and you don’t feel like the same ogre of a mother that you do when you say no.

Then one day I had enough. I had enough of saying no and being THAT parent. Today was going to be a YES DAY!

So that morning when the kids came down for breakfast, they asked if they could have funnel cake for breakfast.

And while every part of my being wanted to throw down for no, I said yes. And off in the car we went for funnel cake at 10 AM in the morning.

Capri-Sun

About three bites in, my son let me know he was done and his tummy hurt. #Winformom

Of course, I wasn’t happy my son wasn’t feeling well, but the idea that maybe there’s something to mom saying no sometimes has a reason might actually get across this time.

Feeling good, we were on to #2. And now they knew mom was in the mood for yes, so I was ready to see how this one went.

“Hey mom, can we do something fun like jump on the bed?”

Sure.

Capri-Sun

That one really threw them and while I cringed watching my fresh made bed get ravaged, it was fun watching them let go…until of course, one fell off the bed and stubbed her toe.

Thankfully, no broken bones, but it was a beautiful opportunity to remind them why jumping on the bed is a bad idea (especially if it’s already made!)

Shortly after the next one came, “Mama, can we have a juice?”

Normally, I’d allow for juice at certain times of the day and only a certain amount. So most the time it’s always no.

But today, and now every day, I can say yes to Capri Sun.

Capri-Sun

With 35% less sugar than many other juice drinks, no high fructose syrup, no artificial colors or preservatives, and easy to find at Walmart, this is one set of nos I could say yes to!

That’s a pretty good win for the whole gang. And sometimes we need that.

Capri-Sun

So next time you’re starting to feel like No is the only thing you ever say, give yourself a reason to say yes. And make it easy by having things around that don’t make it hard to be the Yes mom. Find Capri Sun in store or online at Walmart!

Capri-Sun

 

Better Drives Us

October 2, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Hyundai Hope on Wheels isn’t just giving money to help pediatric cancer, it’s a true hands-on organization that reminds us all, no matter our titles or roles, that Better Drives Us. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Hyundai Hope on Wheels® for inviting me to share this special experience and sharing their story with this sponsored post. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, JCI Creatives

A lot of big companies say they do a lot of good things. They fund big fundraising events, they wear shirts in support, and all those big impressionable things in the name corporate social responsibility. I know, I’ve worked with many of them to help organize them and sat at big fancy dinners gala to support the cause and it’s needed. But when you see the big guys sit side by side the little guys they are working to help, you realize that your purchases, small or big, DO make a big impact. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Celebration of Life Dinner in Dallas. While there was a check presentation planned, there was so much more to this non-profit. In fact Hope on Wheels is one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country and has awarded more than $130 million towards childhood cancer since its inception in 1998. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

That’s a pretty big commitment and it goes way beyond corporate social responsibility. 

But what touched me the most were the other invitees in the room.

  • It was the dealers of North Texas (835 dealers actually contribute to the cause nationally)
  • It was the doctors and researchers that are doing the work for pediatric cancer at the many hospitals in and around Texas
  • It was the families and the KIDS that had pediatric cancer and their families that had been directly impacted by Hyundai Hope on Wheels. 

The room was filled with the a full circle of how a simple purchase of a Hyundai can help research to find a cure for pediatric cancer. 

It was amazing to see them together and interacting, seeing how working together makes a positive change. And how their motto “Better Drives Us” really comes to life.

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

One of the most moving moments of the night was listening to a mom describe the moment she heard her son’s diagnosis for a rare pediatric cancer. Hearing her personal, real story with all the emotions that took her over in front of all of us really put it into perspective. It put everything into perspective – and that it can happen to you. Any mom, any family, any child. In fact every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer. And unfortunately, you probably already have. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

In fact every 36 minutes a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

But the night was not over. There was still a special concert by The Voice’s Luke Wade who has been ambassador for Hope on Wheels across the country. He sang from the heart and brought the kids together for a moment on the stage. He also sat with the Hope on Wheels kids and their families. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

A check presentation to a few incredibly deserving teams: 

Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant ($250,000)
– Dr. Christopher Porter, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
– Dr. Julie Wolfson, University of Alabama – Birmingham
 
Hyundai Young Investigator  Grant ($150,000)
– Dr. Kathryn Dickerson, UT Southwestern Children’s Medical Center Foundation
– Dr. Wendy Allen-Rhoades, Texas Children’s Hospital
 
Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

But at the end of the night was the honestly the best part that made the biggest difference to me, the Handprint Ceremony. 

The children and the doctors all placed their handprints on posters and on the doctors’ coats. It was truly moving to see all the smile of everyone making their own individual handprint. And each handprint’s story is distinctive in its own way.  Whether it’s completing a round of chemo, celebrating a beautiful new head of hair or receiving a clean bill of health, one child’s milestone can be another’s symbol of hope.  And these handprints serve as their symbol. These handprints will also be displayed on Hyundai cars around the country to share their mission and their hope. 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

 

Better Drives Us - Hyundai Hope on Wheels

PC: Jaren Collins, CI Creatives

 

How can you get involved and learn more about this great organization? Visit their uplifting website.  Or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter to see more up to do work they’ve done and helped to make a change for pediatric cancer.

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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! 

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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! 🚨

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

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❌ 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
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❣️…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! 

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(Less than 1 mile from @attstadium)

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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 
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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

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🗓️ 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!
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