Favorites Friday: Being Comfortable and Keeping Kiddo Happy

So now that Favorites Fridays are coming back to the blogo- I'm going to introduce you also to some of my son's favorites. So not only do you get 5 things that I am loving, but also 5 things that my little munchkin is loving! Win!

Let's start with my favs:

1. Five Below Black Suede knotted flats: Ok- so I know- I really should invest in some higher quality flats, but honestly- these are so comfortable AND affordable. I beat up my flats and usually go through black flats every few months, so only paying $5 for a pair (sometimes less when on sale) is totally up my alley. I find their flats to not be too tight on the backs of my heels and don't break the bank.
2. LuLaRoe Perfect Tee:  Yes- I sell LuLaRoe, but honestly, even if I didn't- the Perfect Tee would be my go-to top. Like many LuLaRoe newbies I tried Irmas and Leggings to start, but once I tried a Perfect Tee on- it because my default top in my closet. I don't know how many I own, but it is a lot- because I wear them just about every other day with skirts (preferably the Cassie skirt) but also pants too! I have a few I can wear with leggings as I got them a tad bigger for that purpose- but the main reason I love them is that they are flattering and perfect to hide my mommy flub. I am ALL for anything that hides my pudge!
3. LuLaRoe Cassie Skirt:  Now hear me out- I know many of you scoff when you hear someone talk about a pencil skirt. But really- this skirt is da-bomb! I pair it with Perfect Tees and basically wear this with boots (during fall/winter) and sandals, heels or flats (during the spring/summer) for work. It is dressy enough but also comfortable enough for me to wear this combo basically every other day to work. It has a yoga waistband- so it gives you pretty much no crazy muffin top if worn with proper undies- and shows off your curves all while being made out of comfy stretchy fabric. Believe me- I am NOT a size 0, and this skirt makes me feel fab. My hubs loves it too. haha
4. Diet Dr. Pepper: I know what you're thinking- a Diet soda? Way to be healthy. shhh. I know, but honestly I don't know what I'd do without my one-a-day bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper. My Nana started drinking this many years ago, and as a kid I always laughed and made a face when she'd hand me one, but as an adult- its my go-to soda. My day job coworkers must also agree- because the vending machine carries 3 full rows of it (more then any other beverage) and if they don't restock by the end of the week- its totally all gone. haha. Give it a try!
5. Me & My Big Ideas Create 365 Planner Box Kit- Best Year Ever: This past Christmas I begged my hubs to get me a cool planner and stickers so I could stay organized and then turn it into a fun journal/scrapbook. I do adore this planner- it can expand pages, it is colorful, leaves room for lots of fun writing/stickers and the month view is my fav- perfect size! Now all I need is to find a good purse that will fit it- as this baby has basically stretched out my shoulder bag, because I try to cram it inside with all my stack of stickers along with. haha. Anyone have any suggestions on crossbody-style purses that can handle this awesome planner?



Now to my son's favs (FYI- he's 19 months old, for those that want to know age range. lol)

1. The First Years Take & Toss Spill-Proof Cups: So my son has a habit of throwing and/or hiding his sippy cups- so these puppies are great because they don't spill often (they do occasionally open up- but only rarely if I don't close it properly) and are pretty cheap. We bought a handful of the packages on Amazon- and honestly- I like them so much better then my 360 cups for the sheer ease of cleaning them. As much as I ADORE the 360 cups- because that is how we got our son off the bottle and they pretty much NEVER spill, they are a PAIN in the butt to clean. So if you hate cleaning dishes/cups- these are great in the dishwasher and overall clean up well for how cheap the price point is. These were basically how we taught our son to use a straw and he still loves them!
2. EZPZ Happy Mat One-piece silicone placemat+ plate: Another mommy blog suggested one of these types of plates and honestly- I don't know what I'd do without them. We go to sushi every week (yes my son adores sushi) and we've been using this at the restaurant every week- and it always does great. We use them at home too- but I think they are the bomb when at restaurants. Mega props to whoever invented these kinds of placemat/plates. :D
3. Moana on Netflix: I know many parents can attest to Moana being a big-time favorite movie in their house, and ours is no different. I also have found that the first 1/4 of the movie (basically up until "You're Welcome") has a somewhat calming factor- especially when close to nap time or bed time. Often times my son doesn't even make it to the above mentioned song, as the waves and music make him calm to sleep. Honestly- I think it was one of the better Disney animations in a while and I don't think there is a single song that I outright hate in this movie. Even though I've heard the songs about a bazillion times- I still can sing along and not be annoyed with them (*yet*). Bravo Disney!
4. Beat Bugs on Netflix: This show we ran across very early on in my sons life- and it so far has been a staple in our house whenever he is having an extreme freakout. He isn't the greatest socializer with people he doesn't know, so this show has helped him warm up to babysitters, but also gets him dancing all the time. He claps and smiles and dances and even hums to the catchy tunes. I've never been much of a Beatles fan, but I actually really do like this show and the music. When he sees the logo or even any clip of the show- he points and smiles and does a happy dance. We actually plan to be 3 of the 5 main characters for our family Halloween costume. ;D
5. Pediped flex Hayden sneaker in brown and blue:  Believe me- I didn’t pay $50 for shoes for my son. I lucked out and got a used pair of these babies for $5 from a mommy consignment sale. But honestly- if I could only invest in a single pair of shoes for my son- these would be it. He has extremely fat feet (chunky on the top of his foot) and these are so easy to get on his cubby feetsies, but also the velcro is strong enough that he can't undo them as easily. My kid is pretty smart at figuring out how to get out of shoes and socks- so anything that keeps him in them- I'm all about.


I hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoyed our favorites of the week! I'll be busy going to a local Ren Faire followed by having a Yard Sale and Open House this weekend. Busy bee!
What are your plans for the weekend?
-M

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Favorites Friday: Getting back into shape after the new year

Hey all. Long time no see.
I apologize for my absence to the blogging world, but you know how it is- the holidays just take over your world easily.
At the start of the new year, I did what most people did- resolved to get back into shape. I really was lax over the holidays, and I refuse to get back to my old habits and old ways when I was super heavy.
So some of my favs this week are things to get you fit, or at least I've found have helped me get fit.

1. World of Warcraft Funko Pop! figures: I got the Illidan figure earlier in the year, and the hubs got me Slyvanas for Xmas. A friend gave me the little Murloc figure also for Xmas. I love these little figures. They don't serve any true purpose other than looking cute and dressing up my computer area with my favorite video game memorabilia. But I just find these to be so adorable. ;)

2. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Xbox game for the Kinect: We got this game from my parents over the holidays (they had gotten it for themselves, but never used it). Right at the start of the new year we gave this game a try and so far it has totally kicked my butt- in a good way though. I find my favorite thing is the fitness games- primarily the punching blocks game- I love that game and it is fun but great exercise. I hope to make this game/fitness program more of a common exercise activity- at least till the summer, when I have different forms of exercise available.

3. Just Type calendar: One of my best friends gave this to me for Christmas this year, and I just adore it. Typography is one of my absolute favorite things about graphics design. I hung this in my cubicle at work, so hopefully each day I'm inspired by the typography. Luckily, the makers had me in mind when the made it- it doesn't have any of those icky fonts like Papyrus or Comic Sans. lol.

4. Fitbit (in pink): I got this around Thanksgiving time and so far has been one of my favorite useful jewelry. I love seeing how good or bad my sleep was and when my steps are up or down for the day. Only downfall, it gets dirty quite easily. But other than that, I adore it! If you can find a good deal on them (we got my on Black Friday) I suggest you to give it a try.

5. Almaden boxed Moscato wine: My hubs came across this boxed wine at our local wine & spirits store. He texted me with a picture of this and was like "Guess what now exists- boxed Moscato!" Over here in Pennsylvania, this was the first time I've ever since boxed Moscato (which is my favorite wine). Now- most people knock boxed wine. I agree most times it doesn't really taste as good as the bottle. However, this boxed wine is quite good and for the value- super great. Also, if you're like me, and suck at opening corked bottles, it has an easy to pour/reuse spout and fits great in the fridge. I've already converted a few friends to it. haha. If you haven't tried it, but love Moscato and want a good value wine, give it a shot!

What have you found helped you get back into shape after the new year? I'd love any others' ways of motivation.
Have a great day!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Full circle fall

Happy Friday all! I hope you're having a wonderful fall end to the work week.
Here are some of the things I'm loving these days:

1. Project Life App: I have been a fan of Project Life for a few years now, so when this App came out, I was one of the first to download it. I am so pleased with the collage and page options. I love that it saves your projects in a library- perfect for reprints. I plan on using this app mostly for keeping collages of my Photo-a-days. I can't wait till they get the print option- would make my photo a day projects a snap!

2. Chili's Fresh Mex bowls: I got one of these while out to lunch with my mom. I was so pleased with it, as I got it as a combo with my beloved Chicken Tortilla soup (the #1 reason I go to Chili's besides the chips). I got the Chipotle Fresh Mex bowl- soooo good. My mom got the Margarita bowl. After the chips and soup- this was so filling- I barely could eat it all- so be prepared to get some to go. ;)

3. Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale: I found this while perusing the soda aisle at our Giant and I just had to try it. Wonderful! I always adore when there is a Cranberry seasonal flavoring of soda, so I was happy to see a ginger ale version- and it's Diet too!

4. Madden Girl Unifyy Pumps in tan: I got these at a local thrift store a few weeks ago- they were in pristine condition. I have been searching endlessly for a neutral pump and was delighted to find these. I was so glad I purchased them- they are actually quite comfortable for a heel. They were first dress pump that I've ever owned to not give me blisters by the end of the work day. So happy with my find! You can find them online yourself at the link above.

5. Knifty Knitters Round Knitting loom set: I am horrible at knitting, so this is perfect for me. Already I've made 2 hats for my nephews for Christmas. If you (or someone you know) are not the best knitter or want to try knitting- this is the perfect gift for you!

We are heading over for a short day trip and night out to Cape May on Sunday, so I'm praying for clear skies. What are you planning for the weekend?
Have a great Friday and enjoy your upcoming weekend.
-M

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Favorites Friday: Stylish Fall days

Hello all! Happy late Friday!
This week's Favorite's Friday I'm sharing with you a few products I just can't seem to get enough of these days. Check them out:

1.  Cafe Escapes Cafe Caramel Keurig cup: This is soooo tasty. It was the first cup I tried in our Keurig, and I've been enjoying that flavor ever since. Tastes like a cappicino in a cup and perfect for those cold fall evenings (like tonight is). It is a lot less coffee tasting than some of the other Keurig cups, but if you like more creamy flavor- try this!

2. Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger Keurig tea cup: My mom got me hooked on these. I'm not normally a tea person, but boy do these taste great. When I was sick a month or so ago, I think I downed half the box just then! Perfect for an internal warm up.

3. Journee Collection Women's Buckle Detail Tall Boots in Black: I begged my hubs to get this pair of boots for me for an early Christmas present after seeing a fellow blogger share the Amazon link. I was so excited when they arrived and they sure did not disappoint me- they have become my go-to boot this fall. Paired with leggings, they are sooo comfortable!

Disregard my messy bathroom at the moment- but check out these awesome boots!

4. Skone Cosmetics Tattooed Eyeliner: I had previously reviewed this eyeliner when I got it in my October Ipsy bag. So far, it has quickly become my absolute favorite eyeliner- it goes on smooth like a marker and gives a great line. I'm not a huge makeup person, but when I do put makeup on- this is sure to be in my bag.

5. Giant Foods Buffalo Style Chicken Pizza (Self-Rising Crust): On a whim the hubs and I picked up one of these pizzas- they were only $3 a box. Recently we were hungry, but neither of us felt like really cooking, so we popped this in the oven. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was for a boxed pizza. Bravo Giant- this is better than the $5 Little Ceasar's hot and ready pizzas! ;)

Speaking of favorites, I'm happy to mention that I'll be teaming up with Uncommon Goods in the future, bringing you some great product reviews and a possible giveaway. Stay tuned for more details about that in the future. :D
Hope your Friday is going awesome all. Have a great day!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Getting back to groove of my Diet

Happy Friday all!
It's been a while since I did a Favorites Friday, so you're in luck for today- I have some things I just HAVE to share with you as my current favs.

1. Tribe Spicy Chipotle Hummus: In my goal to get back into the groove of Weight Watchers, I discovered the wonderfulness that is Hummus. Hummus with carrots have become my go-to mid-afternoon snack. This particular flavor is SUPER SPICY, (though I love the taste). Such a great snack!

2. Minus 5 Ice Bar: We went to one of these in the Monte Carlo while on vacation in Vegas. The prices were a little steep for the packages, but it was worth it for such a fun experience. It even gave us some great ideas for next year (we are planning our join b-day party already!)

3. Arbor Mist Mango Strawberry Moscato: So, I usually avoid Arbor Mist, as I often find them to taste cheap, but a co-worker gave this to me as a thank you present and I was pleasantly surprised. I adore mango and moscato, so the two worked great together in this refreshingly sweet wine.

4. Dibz Critter Case for iPhone: My hubs gave me the penguin case for my phone for Christmas last year, and it is my favorite. But recently I upgraded and got a new phone through work that is a iPhone 5s, so I needed a new case. They had a version of the Penguin for that phone size too, but I decided to go with the blue cow for my new phone (as I'm keeping my old phone as an ipod, therefore keeping the peguin case too). So adorable and only $5 at Five Below. I get so many comments on how cute it is.

5. Wendy's Kids' Meal- Chicken Wrap with apple slices: As I'm back on my Weight Watchers plan diet after getting back from Vegas, I was looking for a quick small lunch one day after shopping. I noticed Wendy's Kids' Meal had a chicken wrap with apple slices on the side as an option. It was the PERFECT size and super low in points (and on your wallet too). Woo! You just have to get over the fact that you're an adult (with no kids in sight of your vehicle) ordering a kids meal. lol

Hope you're having a fantastic day. I have so much planned for the weekend, that I just can't wait for it to start!
Have a Great Friday!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Cooking along this summer

Hello all! Long time no see!
I've been so swamped with preparing for "Fiddler on the Roof" and working my full-time job, that I haven't had much time to do anything else. But don't worry. I didn't forget about ya'll!
Here are some of my favorites this week, that I think you all should check out!

1. Campbell's Skillet Sauce- Thai Green Curry: I picked up a pack of this just to try it, and BOY was I blown away by the flavor. It is easy to cook with and made such a fantastic meal. I'm looking forward to trying their other sauce flavors.

2. Office 365: This past week I was in training at work for learning the new Office programs- Office 365. Everything will be going to the cloud and this makes life easier! I am actually looking really forward to the launch date at my workplace.

3. McDonald's Premium McWrap Sweet Chili Chicken (Grilled): I tried this the other day just to see if I could get a healthier alternative at McD's, and was surprised that it actually wasn't half bad- and the Weight Watchers Points Plus on it are pretty good, considering it is from McDonald's.

4. Fiddler On The Roof: Next Thursday is opening night for Newtown Arts Company's "Fiddler on the Roof", where I will be portraying Tzeitel, the eldest daughter. It has been a great theater experience and the cast is fantastic. I am so excited to be a part of it, and I know audiences will love it. If you're in or around the Bucks County, Pennsylvania area, check it out!

5. ProSeries 16' x 48" Above Ground Pool: We saw this baby go on sale at Walmart online. Hubs messaged me in a frenzy- "should we get it?" We've been wanting one like that for ages, but were not willing to spend more than $250 for it. Sure enough, it went on clearance and we got it for $250. There was none in stock at our local Walmart, but they shipped one to the store, and we picked it up this past weekend. So far, it has worked beautifully, and I'm so happy with it!

So how has your summer been going? I'd love to hear from you!
Have a great weekend and Friday!
-M

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Favorites: Trying to be healthier and craftier

This is a little belated from my usual Friday time of Favorites, but better late then never, right?
Here are some of my favorite items these days:

1. Flatout Soft 100% Whole Wheet flatbread (wraps): I picked some of these up a while ago to try with a Lean Cuisine wrap filler, and the wraps were perfect! They are low calorie (only 100 calories) and make perfect wraps, flatbread pizzas, or tacos!

2. Everbilt Dropcloths: This is the dropcloths I purchased to re-cover my deck bench cushions and make curtains for the deck. They are easy to cut, just enough softness, but nice and thick to cover unsightly patterns. ;) Check out my post on making no-sew dropcloth curtains and no-sew seat cushion covers.

3. Smirnoff Sorbet Light Mango Passion Fruit: While cruising through the Wine & Spirits store to pick up some wine for a friend's party, I came across this lovely bottle. I decided to give it a shot and add it to mixed drinks at home. It is a perfect addition to our bar. We mixed this, mango rum and limeaide- which made an AMAZING margarita (recipe to come later). So good and less calories!

4. V-8 Fusion Energy Orange Pineapple: I tried another V-8 Fusion energy drink a while back when the marketing department at my work had a box of them for people to try. I hated the Pomegrande, but loved the Peach Mango. I was glad to see that they had the Orange Pineapple at my local grocery store, so I gave that one a shot. Was great as well! And so low Weight Watchers points plus for a caffeinated beverage!

5. Lean Cuisine Chicken Pecan: Saw this at my local grocery store too and gave it a shot, as the picture looked good- I had never seen this one before. It was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the sweetness of the cranberries and apples mixed with the tasty chicken, sweet potatoes and rice. Loved it!

Hope your weekend is going fabulous! Enjoy your day!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Ready for Summer

Happy Friday everyone! It is starting to feel like summer over here and I'm loving many things that help me get in the summer mood- games, wine, movies, un-healthy food and tiki torches to keep the buggies away. Enjoy!

1. Confectioner's Angel Cake Sweet Chardonnay wine: A friend of mine last weekend had a wine tasting Memorial Day party and she picked this bottle up, just for me, she said. She knew I adored sweet wines, so this was right up my ally. I LOVED it. So good! I recommend it to anyone who likes Moscato wines or sweet wines in general. Lovely!

2. Zombie Dice: Another friend had a get together last weekend for his birthday, just playing various board, card, and dice games. This was one of them. So simple to learn and play, it quickly has become a favorite. I had played it once before, but for some reason, I enjoyed it much more this time around. So easy to learn and lots of fun!

3. X-Men: Days of Future Past: Saw this on the Friday of opening weekend- and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had the best of both worlds: X-men in the future AND the past. I really enjoyed Quicksilver (before the movie, I would of laughed at myself for saying it- as I thought his getup was a little lame), but he had the absolute best scenes. He totally stole the movie. Many thumbs up X-men! I'm looking forward to future ones.

4. Little Caesar's Crazy Bread: When I lived in Florida many moons ago (lived there from birth to age 12) I used to beg my parents to get Little Caesar's- primarily for the crazy bread. When I found out that a branch was opening up in my neighborhood, I jumped at the chance to resurrect my childhood favorite. Opening weekend of the branch, I ordered a batch of crazy bread, 2 hot-and-ready pizzas and a 2-liter of diet soda. The pizza was eh, but the crazy bread was just as good as I remembered. Next time I might just order the crazy bread, and forget the pizza. haha

5. Kauai Bamboo Tiki Torches: Since we re-did our backyard, tiki torches have become my obsession. I don't know what it is, but they just do the trick to add lighting outdoors, keep some bugs away, and set the fun mood of our backyard. I'm so ready for the summer to get into full swing, so we can enjoy our backyard to the fullest!

I hope you are having a great Friday! I have soooo much planned this weekend, so I'm looking forward to having a fun weekend filled with the summer sun.
Have a great day!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Being creative, inspired and feeling good

Happy Friday everyone. I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I personally am a little sad that it is raining outside (I wanted to go for a walk) but I'm excited for a fun weekend of outdoor games and bbq-ing that we have planned.

Here are some recent favorites of mine that I wanted to share with you.

1. Young Justice: A friend suggested this to my hubs and I. We found the first season on Netflix- marathon watched all the episodes and are moving on to season 2, which we had to be a little more creative to track down the episodes. ;P For a show that was on the Cartoon Network and meant for kids/teens- it has some great writing, comedy and animation. I kind of love Superboy in this- even if he is a little emo.

2. After Effects CC: I had started using AE when I was in college, when working on my minor in animation. It was always a program that had its quirks but I liked how well it integrated with Photoshop. This version is no different. They've certainly made some upgrades to AE in the past few years, and I welcome it with open arms. Animating layers is so much easier with programs like After Effects.

3. Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls: I have started to become a fan of sushi rolls since moving to a house that has a sushi place down the street a few blocks. Hubs and I try to make it a habit to try a new roll once in a while, but the spicy tuna roll will, and has always, been my favorite, since I've grown to love the taste of sushi (which has only really been in the past few years).

4. Plasti-Dip Spray: When working to try and revamp my crown for my Aurora costume to be chrome looking, I found a tutorial on Cosplay that used this stuff to make fun-foam spray-paintable. It is weird stuff- gives a rubber/plastic-y layer on whatever you paint it with. But it served its purpose well. It makes the item a little stiffer- but not extremely- I could still bend the necklace to a shape I wanted (so it still has some of the flexible fun foam underneath).

Here's the old and new crown/necklace (photos by Candace Bandjough Park):

I coated the yellow fun foam crown I made and necklace with a few layers of slightly watered down modge-podge. After it was dry, I covered it with the Plasti-dip (a few coats). Then once it was dry after that- I spray painted the chrome gold. Tada!

5. Aquafina Flavor Splash: While killing some time between rehearsal I stopped by the 7-11 to get a snack and beverage- I saw a 2 for 1 deal with these drinks. I like water with a little flavor, so this was right up my ally- gotta love zero calories drinks. It has a good flavor, for flavored water. haha. ;)

So I hope your weekend is a blast and filled with fun activities. What do you have planned for the weekend? I'd love to hear what ya'll are doing these days!
Have a great Friday!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Getting back into shape and eatting better

It's been a while since I popped by the blog-o here (sorry about that)- I've been swamped with DIY projects at home (which I'll share eventually), work and actually trying to work-out (exercise)- gasp! With that in mind, here are some favorites of mine, especially the 3 apps I use on my 3 times a week (for now) runs.

1. Map My Run App: I love this app! It uses the GPS on my phone to show where I've run, my pace, calories burned, milage, etc. I also love how versatile it is- especially that I can close it after I start my run, and not have to open it back up till I finish my run. perfect!

2. Rock My Run App: This app gives some great music to run to- you can pick style of music, length, or if you're a more seasoned exerciser- the beats to keep your pace. So far, it has kept me rocking as I run. lol.

3. Uno's Rattlesnake Pasta: Last week we went to Uno's after seeing the newest Captain America movie with friends, and I ordered this pasta dish. It was right up my ally- just enough spice to fill my love of spicy dishes, as well as plentiful enough that I had leftovers for lunch the next day.

4. 5K Runner App: This app (aka. Couch-to-5k) has been getting me back into the swing of running after not really exercising at all for a while. I have been going slightly further than it suggests, but overall it is good coach to have along your running. My only beef with this app is if you accidentally close it, it only gives you notifications on the screen (but no sound notifications- which when you're running and jamming to music, you're not looking at your phone) and then you re-open it after closing it- it restarts the program from the beginning. But overall, its a good starting point for new runners.

5. Snack Factory's Pretzel Crisps: My mom got me hooked on these pretzel crisps. I personally LOVE the multigrain, but since my hubs is allergic to garlic (I know, crazy!) the original is our best bet in our house. They are so addicting but also great with cheese or hummus. I suggest it to anyone (I just picked up a few bags yesterday at Wal-mart for $2 each!)

I hope your weekend is a fun one- I personally hope the weather is nice, as I'm loving spending time outside!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Springing for the weekend

Happy Friday everyone! Boy am I excited for THIS weekend. We are unveiling our Barshed (as it has been dubbed by our friends) with a St. Patrick's Day shindig, and I'm just overall looking to relax all weekend. This past week we've spent most of our waking moments working on projects (which I'll share on the blog-o later), that I'm looking forward to chilling. Here are some of my favorites of the week, to welcome in the spring.

1. Rust-oleum's Seaside Gloss Spray Paint: This is the color (and spray paint brand) that I re-painted our deck benches, and I just love how bright it is. So fun!

2. Hearthstone: Since I'm a fan of World of Warcraft, this Blizzard game that just came out has become a favorite recently. My hubs and I played it in beta testing, so I'm excited that it is out for public consumption. I'm looking forward to when they release it for the tablet, as I'm pretty sure when that happens, I'll be playing it non-stop.

3. Green Giant's Just for One Cauliflower & Cheese: These have basically become a staple in my house, when packing my lunches for work. They are a great side dish to the tiny meals that frozen dinner companies come out with, and these babies are only a single Weight Watchers Points Plus!

4. Peeps: Being a resident of Pennsylvania, Just Born Candy (the people who created Peeps) are a household name around here. I'm a fan of the marshmallow candies, even when a pack is opened and they are a day-old, I love them.

5. Me & My Big Ideas Pocket Pages (Tween shown): My mother and I picked up a few packs of these at Micheal's a while ago, as they were on sale, hoping they'd work with our Project Life. Sure enough, they fit in perfectly, and honestly- I really really like them. They work in Project Life as well as incorporated in general cardmaking/scrapbooking, because they're a little bigger than the classic Project Life cards. They are so much more interesting and fun than the traditional Project Life cards (and better on the wallet), that I might just switch solely to their pocket pages cards instead...

Hope your Friday is good and that you have fun things planned for the weekend. Enjoy!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Beating the Winter Blues

Happy Friday all! I am so happy for this upcoming weekend, as I have lots planned. Can't wait to get through the day to the weekend!
This Favorites Friday is all about beating the winter blues. The weather has been absolutely horrible here, so we've been cooking at home a lot more, as well as binge watching tv shows, such as SyFy's Haven- which I blew through the first 3 season on Netflix and then season 4 online, all in the matter of the past week. Haha
Here are some of my favorites this week:

1. Waterlogue App: Normally I don't pay money for apps, but I've been seeing such cool things done with this app, I just had to have it. It makes such lovely photos, such as a watercolor version of our house and fun watercolor portraits. So cool!

2. Villa Alena Moscato Wine (from Trader Joe's): Last week on Valentine's Day the hubs and I stopped at Trader Joe's in New Jersey on the way home and picked this wine up- mostly because we loved the bottle. It was a pleasant surprise and tasted great. If you see it anywhere, pick it up!

3. McCormick/Lawry's Caribbean Jerk Marinade Sauce: My hubs loves trying new marinades for chicken and whatnot, so we had to try this one, being its one of my favorite flavors at Buffalo Wild Wings. This is FANTASTIC tasting- great on chicken, over rice. So much flavor and it packs a spicy punch. Love it!

4. Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws with Sea Salt: I have been trying to get back into being healthier and they had bags of these on sale at Walmart. I was surprised at how tasty these were- I've had the original ones and they are so-so, but the sea salt gives it much more flavor. It is only 130 calories for 38 straws, so it is a good snack to have when you're craving chips.

5. SyFy's Haven: Due to the weather I've been binge watching a lot of tv shows, this being one of them. I watched the first 3 seasons on Netflix, then caught the latest season (4) online. It's right up my ally- sometimes very campy, other times serious science fiction investigation. It also includes many SyFy regulars- such as Colin Feruson (from Eureka- one of my favorite shows that has since ended). It's nice to see a strong female leading character, who still can rely on the love of her life to help her out. I also find the Duke character (played by Eric Balfour) to be my absolute favorite. If you like science fiction investigation type shows, you'll like this. Once you get past the first few episodes, it gets a lot better. Fun stuff!

So what are your favorites these days to beat the winter blues? Any new recipes or shows you've been watching?
I hope you all have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend! I can't wait to show you all the fun stuff I've been planning for this weekend, so stay tuned for some fun party stuff!
Laters!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Being lazy but loving kitchen gadgets

Guess what day it is?- It's Friday!

That means it is Favorites Friday time! Here are some of my current favorite things that I've been loving in the past few months (I know, I'm SOOO behind on favs since the new year!).

1. Babycakes Cake Pop Maker: I got this cute cake pop maker for an early birthday present from my mom (actually got it right before our New Year's Party) and it was SO easy to use. Here are a few tips I read online before I started which I found to be very helpful in using the maker: Use a squeeze bottle (like a ketchup or icing plastic bottle with a tip top) for the cake batter and also to use a foam piece (like the ones you use for flowers you can get at the dollar store) to put the cake pops in to dry once on the stick and decorated (the little thing they give you to dry has the holes too close together- they touch and therefore melt together). I love it and already am planning to make more for our next party!

2. Sims Free Play: This app I downloaded for my iPad has been keeping me busy all winter. I always have adored the Sims, so it is nice to play a version on my iPad for free. I've kind of become obsessed with making sure all my Sims go to work or are planting things before I go to work or before I go to bed. I wish life was as simple as the Sims to decorate houses!

3. Healthy Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli Steamer: My hubs picked this up for me the other day, as he knows I like ravioli. I was skeptical of the pumpkin squash filling though, as it didn't really sound that appetizing to me, but I gave it shot. Wow- I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor. Loved it! It also is a great dish for Vegetarians. ;)

4. Hampton Popcorn Company's White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn: My co-worker got this around Christmas time and it is SO good. I've been trying to find places that sell it locally, but thus far I haven't found one yet. But I'm keeping my eyes open, because it is SOO tasty!

5. Hamilton Beach Panini Press: We won this lovely kitchen gadget at a White Elephant party and so far it has become a favorite when making sandwiches and grilled cheese. I don't think we will ever make a sandwich NOT on it from now on! lol.

I hope your Friday is fun and your weekend events are fantastic. I hope the weather gets better here, as we've been having so much snow, ice, sleet, cold temperatures- I'm ready for spring to be here already!
Look at this weather of ice and snow on our tree out front of our house...

Brrrrrr!

Keep warm all! Have a great day!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Staying warm and getting Geeky

Welcome to another Favorites Friday! This week I am all about embracing my geekdom, all the while braving the winter weather.

1. Spamalot at the Kelsey Theatre: So I saw this last week with the hubs and I enjoyed it a lot! If you love Monty Python, you will adore this show. This might be added to my list of "shows I want to do." lol

2. Dunkin' Donuts Star Donut: I had one of these the other day when my co-worker got a mixed box. So awesome and so festive (I know- so bad for you though!).

3. Thor: The Dark World movie: Saw this with the hubs last week and it was fantastic. I love Thor in general, but the scenes were just stunning in the way they portrayed the worlds.

4. Fingerless Knitted Gloves: I got a pair exactly like the above somewhere along the line and I just love them. They are a little thicker than some gloves in this type, so they are perfect for these cold winters, but allow you the flexibility to use them without the fingers when you need to do things like type or open things.

5. Doctor Who: Since the 50th anniversary episode is coming up, I am in all Doctor Who mode- also helps that I got to do a Doctor Who page at work. I just can't get enough of the doctor! ;)

Have a great Friday!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Just Chillin'

Welcome to another Favorites Friday! 

This week I am all about the things that make me happy, chill and calm. (It's funny how it ended up being 3 beverages, but those are chilled-right?)

1. Chocolate Bar from the Newtown Chocolatier: For the theater gala I helped plan, we had chocolates made by the Newtown Chocolatier as one of our favors. They turned out super cute AND tasted great!

2. Stampin' Up! Festive Flurry Stamp: I got this stamp set (and matching Die Cut set) from my mom (who is now a Stampin' Up! demonstrator) after testing it out while on our Scrapbooking Getaway. It is super cute and versatile for everything wintery or holiday. Love it!

3. Crispin Hard Cider: I tried this cider a few weeks ago when out with my mom and I must say it was delicious! I am all about the hard ciders and it was wonderful and crisp.

4. Immunity Booster from Smoothie King: When I tried to battle off a cold I recently got over, this was my go-to smoothie. It is packed with bananas, strawberries and other immunity boosters.

5. Verdi Spumante: This was our other favor at the theater gala- mini bottles of this lovely stuff. I just adore the sparkling taste and it doesn't break the bank either. Their Sparkletini is a favorite of many of my gal pals. :)

Have a wonderful Friday everyone! Have a glass of wine or a bottle of cider with me (when I get home from work. lol!)
-M

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Favorites Friday: Beating the October Blues

Welcome to another Favorites Friday! Here are some of my favorites these days that have helped me combat the October blues...

 

1. Awh Shucks Roasted Corn: I had this when I went to Celtic Fest a few weeks ago and I love it. I look forward to their roasted corn every year. I know I probably could do this myself at home, but there is just something about their corn that I adore.

2. Betty Crocker Angel Food Cake mix: Hubs made a Pumpkin Angel Food Cake from this mix (with pumpkin spice) and it was awesome. So easy and so tasty to make.

3. Airborne Chewable Tablets: Everyone around me has been sick, so I have been popping these tablets lately to stay healthy (especially before I had my audition on Monday).

4. Mango Peach Salsa Yankee Candle: A friend of mine gave me this for this past Christmas and I LOVE it. It is so heavenly smelling that I just want to eat it up! It also is the perfect shade of orange for fall.

5. All Recipes iPad app: Tried this app last week when I was cooking dinner and it was very easy to use. You can try the free version first to try, but if you want to save the recipes you have to buy the pro version. But the free version has plenty to offer, I promise. ;)

Hope you have a great weekend. Tomorrow is my first read-through for "Brigadoon" where I will be 'Maggie' and the hubs will be 'Jeff.' ;)
Have a great Friday!
-M

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September Totally Tuesday Wrap up

Hey gang! Just popping in to give a big "Wahoo!" to those who participated in my September Totally Tuesday Link Party! 

You all totally rock!

There was so many fun things you all shared, I just love them all! 

So, without further ado, here are some of my favorites from the September Totally Tuesday link party. I couldn't choose only a few, so I decided to break my favorites into a few categories, instead of just showing each project (so scroll down for the 3 categories of favorites!). Enjoy!

 Fall & Halloween favs:

1. Made in a Day's Confetti Pumpkins

2. Practically Functional's Vinyl Mice Wall Silhouettes

3. Glitter, Glue & Paint's Fall Burlap Wreath

 Food & Health favs:

1. Bakewell Junction's Chunky Moneky Almond Banana Bars

2. Five Heart Home's Cheesy Ham & Grits Breakfast Casserole

3. The Princess and Her Cowboys' Non-Diet Diet Plan

Crafts favs:

1. Grandparents Plus' Western Craft Ideas

2. Artsy Vava's Paper Flowers

3. Mr. and Mrs. Winslett's Framed Burlap Monogram

4. Buttons & Paint's Denim Wine Bottle Bag

5. Endlessly Beloved's Long Distance Mugs

Thanks for sharing everyone! Those that I featured above (or in a previous Totally Tuesday Link Party) can post the button below on your websites if you would like, to show your project was picked to be feature from the Totally Tuesday Party!

<center> <a href="http://www.madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Madcap Frenzy" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/MoBlondeArt/LinkUp_button_TotallyTuesdayFeatureButton.jpg" /></a></center>

You can view all the awesome projects linked up at the September Totally Tuesday Link Party here --> Sept. Totally Tuesday Link Party!

Again, I want to thank everyone who participated and I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with this month!

Stay tuned and be prepared to link up your October projects in the October Totally Tuesday Link Party, the last Tuesday of the month- October 29th!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

-M

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Favorites Friday: Catching up on TV shows and Getting my craft on!

Welcome to another Favorites Friday!

Some of my favorites this week are tv shows that now have episodes on Netflix (therefore those of us (like me) who don't have cable, can watch tv shows in marathon sessions). lol
Enjoy.

1. Pretty Little Liars: The hubs and I have been blowing through episodes of this show on Netflix, and we just finished season 1. Already I'm kind of hooked. For some reason, I love the Hannah character the best, though I'm sure I'm one of the few out there that like her over the other "Liars." It's good fun to watch.

2. Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin Coffee Coolatta: So their coolattas are SOOO not on my diet/Weight Watchers plan, but Pumpkin flavored things are kind of my weekness. It is oh-so good...but not the best for you.

3. Michael's Black Halloween Candelabra: I found this baby for 50% off at Michael's the other day, and I am obsessed with it- since it is solid black and doesn't have any of the Halloween spiderweb-type things on it like the other decor they had on sale, I can use it for many different holidays and decor. My dining room is brown, gold and black, so it works great!

4. The Golden Nugget Antique and Flea Market: This antique market in Lambertville, N.J. is my new favorite place. A friend of mine took me there earlier in the week, and I got some awesome scores from it. Check out what all I got in my previous Thrifty Thursday post.

5. New Girl: This show also I recently discovered via Netflix. It is quite hilarious. I think I laugh through every single episode, thus far. The characters are so out of control, but so funny to watch.

I have a busy weekend ahead of me (Saturday going to Hershey Park with the hubs for a belated Anniversary trip and then Sunday is my big Sip & Swap party). Looking forward to enjoying my weekend! I hope your weekend is super fun too!

Happy Friday!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Yummy Foodies!

Welcome to another Favorites Friday!

Today, I'm loving lots of different foods (and a drink mix, thrown in there). Enjoy!

1. Special K Chocolatey Pretzel Cereal Bars: OMG... these are AMAZING! I started out loving the red berries and plain chocolate cereal bars, but these are superior to those! That sweet and salty taste together...mmmm!

2. Red Robin's Grilled Turkey Burger: This has become my go-to burger at Red Robin. I just love how it tastes with their special sauce, and it is a little healthier than an normal burger. Love it!

3. Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea: Yeah, I adore peach iced tea, so when you can have a Crystal Light version- yay!

4. Weight Watchers Mexican Style Blend Shredded Cheese: I love Weight Watchers products, so when I found they made shredded cheese, I had to try it. It now is a staple in our household when cooking meals involving shredded cheese.

5. Fiber One Chocolate Fudge Brownies: The hubs picked these up for me, as they were at our Bottom Dollar, and I love them! They are soft and yummy, and only 90 calories. Hooray!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fantastic weekend!
-M

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Favorites Friday: Getting Crafty with it!

Welcome to another Favorites Friday! 

This week, I've been getting my craft on, so I've come across some things that keep me going and staying crafty! Enjoy!

1. Copic Markers: These markers take a little getting used to, but they produce a lovely color, and don't dry up nearly as bad as the cheaper markers.

2. Golden Delicious Apples: I've been a fan of these apples for a long time, and they never fail me. They are healthy, semi-sweet, and taste great as a snack.

3. Wawa Diet Peach Iced Tea: I don't know if many of you have Wawa's by you, but in Pennsylvania- they are the place to be. They have some of the best hoagies/subs around, and I LOVE their diet peach tea. SOO good! They also have some of the cheapest gas in town. haha!

4. Marvy Mega Scalloped Circle Punch: This mega punch has helped me be crafty so much. It is the best size to stack other punches on top of. I am using it for an invite I designed, and I love the effect it gives!

5. Bazzill Bling Cardstock: I've been using Bazzill for a while, but recently came across this lovely type of their cardstock. It has a little bling to it, and so classy! Gotta have some bling!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone! I have a boat-load of stuff to do tomorrow, so hopefully I can enjoy a relaxing Sunday instead. ;)
Laters!
-M

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