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4.30.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Giant Photobooth Style Display:


Peanut Butter Brownie Cups:


Earrings From Plastic Cups:

Let's have a par-tay! 

CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1  T-shirt Transformation

#2  Shiny Shells

#3  Market Bag Tutorial

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

*  Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog  address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!











Hope Studios



Antioxidant Smoothie


Antioxidants have an effect of many age-related diseases, including:

Cancer

Cardiovascular disease

Cognitive impairment

Immune dysfunction

Cataracts

Macular degeneration

and Alzheimer's

Antioxidants seem to also slow the effects of aging in our skin and could be an important part of your beauty routine.

Dr. Oz shared a recipe for an Antioxidant Breakfast Smoothie a few weeks ago that looked delicious and simple to make.

Antioxidant Breakfast Smoothie

1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup blackberries
1 cup pomegranate juice

Mix it up in a blender and drink! I used some frozen fruit and some fresh to get that nice frozen smoothie texture.

Drink it out of a wine glass to add the fancy factor. Yep.

You go girl! You look younger and healthier already!

4.28.2012

Wanna Win Somethin'?



You have a few more days to enter!  Contest closes April 30th...

Jessica from this cool website called Fashion to Figure found me last week. Her website offers affordable, trendy clothing for sizes 12 - 26. Isn't this a relief??? Just because you aren't a size 2, doesn't mean you only have frumpy clothing options. I dig that.

I also really dig this Strapless Jumper:


Are you smaller than the available sizes? Don't fret - check out these Interlocking Bangles ! Stack 'em up, girl! More is better, and at 10 bucks a pop, you could get three sets to really make an impact! Check out all their other accessories while you're at it.


Jessica, from Fashion to Figure wants to give one of you 30 bucks to spend at her store. You game??

No jumping through hoops, just comment to this post to enter.

Want to jump through hoops? You can enter 4 additional times when you...

Post about this contest on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or your own blog. Just pop back to let me know each time!

Now, let's go win something! (**domestic US addresses only**)


Hope Studios




.

4.27.2012

Creative Punishments





After Denise Abbott's 13 year old daughter was caught airing disrespectful complaints about her mother and "stirring up drama" on Facebook, she tried several things to curb the behavior.  She finally resorted to fighting back using the same tool.  Denise posted this photo on her daughter's page with the following message:

"I do not know how to keep my (x over her mouth
I am not longer allowed on Facebook or my phone. Please ask why, my mom says I have to answer everyone that asks."

It's Feedback Friday...

Do you think this punishment is appropriate or over the line?

4.25.2012

Key West, Baby!

I had a crazy fun-filled trip to Key West to celebrate my upcoming 40th birthday over the weekend. We visited some old favorites on this 4th trip to our favorite island, and found some new favorites! I pinned every place worth visiting on my Key West Pinterest Board if you need some ideas for your own trip someday. Here is a photo collage of some good times:
Photos from left to right:

1. Fishing for yellowtail snapper (I got seasick near the end of our tour and we had to cut it short)
2. My own yellowtail catch...a little too small to keep!
3. A super windy day at Fort Zachary State Park
4. Pool diving contest winner!
5. The birthday girls in our custom "J & H Saloon" t-shirts
6. Sunset at Mallory Square on "D-Day"!
7. Late night dancing at Sloppy Joe's Bar
8. Late night bar photos
9. The start of "D Day"!

Some of my favorite memories of the trip were fishing out on the ocean with my friends. We were hot and stinky and sick afterward and perfectly happy!

We rode our bikes around Fort Zachary State Park, watched surfers, took crazy photos, and acted silly. We hit the pool then wandered on down to Schooner Wharf to grab a beer and listen to Michael McCloud sing to us all afternoon.

 It was here that "D. Day" was born - Dirty Day! Somehow I convinced my sister-in-law to skip showers, hair, and make up and begin our night as-is.  We rode our beach bikes all over town and bar hopped from one end to the other well into the night, in our bathing suits and beach hats and had a blast!

On a super rainy day we spent the afternoon playing pool and darts and drinking Bloody Mary's at The Green Parrot and munching on Bobalu's Pizza. After the rain broke we wandered down to Duval just in time to see the Drag Races....DRAG as in drag queens!

 You haven't seen anything until you've watched 6 foot plus drag queens in platform heels and tu-tu's race through an obstacle course in the street! We are trying to download photos from our phone. I'll add them soon!

4.23.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

I am in Key West partying away my 30's and welcoming my 40th year this weekend!

I will post more of the great ideas I learned from the last party when I return all tan and old.

So, let's have a par-tay! Teach me Stuff!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios






How to Do the Spongebob (Dance)

Well, folks, I'm turning the big 4 - 0 next month and they Big Guy is softening the blow by whisking me away to Key West to drown my sorrows in sunshine and beer. I'm there right now so my kids are helping me out by coming up with my tutorial for this week.

So, without any further ado...

How to do The Spongebob




So, the next time you are at your church social, or your kickboxing class, or family picnic you can bust out some cool dance moves! Bah!

Be back soon, don't forget about Tutorial Tuesday coming at you around 10 pm EST.

4.18.2012

Layered Necklaces

Once I had my silver chain cleaned up I decided to wear it!



I love the look of delicate necklaces layered together like Jennifer Aniston or Lea Michele wear. It's a timeless look and you can easily tailor it to your own tastes.



Just grab an assortment of delicate chains and begin to add charms that suit you. I found some tiny charms at Beads and Charms online and put together a little combo inspired by Jennifer Aniston. Look around and see what you already have lying around! Most craft stores have tons of charms to choose from.





Look for charms that have meaning to you, like potential represented by an acorn, a dream in a wishbone, or the luck a ladybug represents, the solution to a problem signified by a key...

What charms would you layer?

4.16.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Frozen Yogurt Berries:



10 Restaurant Waiting Games:



Diaper and Wipes Holder:



CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 Braided T-Shirt Necklaces

#2 Bridal Shower Spoons

#3 Bracelet Fastening Tool

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios






How to Clean Your Silver Chain


I love the look of layered delicate chains with charms. I pulled out all my charms and chains this weekend and realized many of them had turned black with tarnish.

I first followed some advice to scrub the chain with white toothpaste and a toothbrush. It became a bit cleaner, but the tiny links were tough to get in-between.

Method two actually worked!

How to Clean Your Silver Chain



You will need:

a saucepan

1/2 cup water

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. salt

aluminum foil

Line the bottom of the pan with foil and add water, baking soda, and salt.



Add your silver chain and boil for 2-3 minutes.

Ta da! Your chain is silver again, easy peasy!

Come back on Wednesday and I'll show you how I recreated layered charm necklaces inspired by Jennifer Aniston and Lea Michele!

4.13.2012

Mommy Wars - Feedback Friday



So, by now we've all heard about the comment made by Hilary Rosen about Ann Romney that she has "never worked a day in her life". We know that raising 5 boys as a stay-at-home mom is work, so I won't even insult you with that question today. We all know that is a ridiculous statement.

I actually found more debate in the reason for her comment, insinuating that stay-at-home moms are out of touch with women's issues and the struggling economy because they are not in the work force.

It's Feedback Friday...

Is it possible for a stay-at-home mom be in touch with the economic issues that impact women today?


Part of Hilary's statement referred to the Romney's socioeconomic status, so that raises another question:

Is an affluent working woman more able to relate to the economic issues facing women today vs. an affluent stay-at-home mother?

4.09.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Simple Air Freshener:



Fruit and Veggie Wash:



Whipped Cream Frosting:



I was also so interested in learning how to make Easy Sushi!

CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1 Natural Spring Cleaning Recipes

#2 Modestify a Little Black Dress

#3 Quilt from Old Jeans

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios






Under $40 Pantry Make Over

A few days after I Pinned Dollar Store Pantry I noticed a few tiny moths here and there. The last thing I needed was little buggies in my grains, so I jumped in the car then and there to attempt my own Dollar Store Pantry Make Over.

Here is the embarrassing disarray my pantry was in before:

Lots of wasted space, lots of stacks of miscellaneous items mish-mashed together...

And here is the pantry $40 and one afternoon later - lots of containers from the Dollar Tree:



And a package of labels from Walmart:



I kept the shoe pockets to keep the water bottles and snacks handy:



The square and rectangular containers are stack-able so I can fit so much more into the same space! Neat, organized, and space saving for under $40!
.

4.06.2012

The Burden of Beauty - Feedback Friday



Meet Samantha Brick, a free lance writer for The Daily Mail who wrote a column about the down side to being so beautiful.

Samantha explains that men are always sending her free bottles of champagne, waiters often refuse to let her pay for her meals, and gentlemen often pay for her cab fares, all because of her "pleasing appearance and pretty smile". So what is the downside you ask? Other women.

Samantha claims that most women are jealous of her so they have dropped her as friends, barred her from promotions at work, and never ask her to be a bridesmaid because of her beauty.

Samantha's article has received much attention and over 5,000 comments from men and women alike. You can read the original article, look at many photos of Samantha, and read some of the comments HERE.

It's Feedback Friday...

In general, do you think women are likely to be "snarky" to a beautiful woman for her beauty alone?

Specifically, what do you think of Samantha's article and the burden of her beauty?

4.05.2012

Butter Top Biscuits - Pinterest Pass or Fail


Last week I featured and pinned Butter Top Biscuits to my Cookin' Mama Board last week (originating at Misadventures of Mrs B) and couldn't wait to try them!

They were simple to whip together and tasted like buttery pillows of goodness - a big Pinterest Pass! I loved them with butter and jam, but I will totally use this recipe the next time I make Strawberry Shortcake since we love a biscuit rather than cake topped with sweet berries and juice!

Mamadog made a book page wreath that looks like a giant chrysanthemum!

What pins have YOU tried lately? Drop me a link so I can go check it out!

4.04.2012

Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

They go together like peanut butter and jelly...



Macaroni and cheese...



Boys and smoke bombs!



This $2 package of smoke bombs entertained my boys for an hour this weekend. Money well spent!

4.02.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Wire Ring:



Monster Party:



Deep Fried Cadbury Eggs:



Simple Organic Lip Balm:



CLICK PICKS: (last week's most clicked links)

#1 T-Shirt Bracelet

#2 Family Tree 40 Years in the Making

#3 Flower Pin

Now it's YOUR turn!

Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!

Hope Studios






April Fools!

Yeah, April Fools...very funny.

I love it when April 1st falls on a weekend! I can ease into the day with some good pranks and keep them going all day long. Here is a bit of the mischief I was up to:

Safety pinned all The Big Guy's boxer shorts together in his drawer.

Saran wrapped the door to the TV room where my kids go first thing to play video games
(Epic fail - how do you get the wrap to stick to a door??)

Drew mustaches on the kids' faces with washable marker while they slept.

Stuffed the toes of the kids' shoes with paper.

Switched the sugar for salt in the morning coffee.
(Big Guy, not amused. I found him spitting in the sink when I came downstairs)

And finally, I served gummy egg candy for breakfast.



Want some more ideas? Here are some of the things I didn't get a chance to do:

*Write I.C.U.P. on the toilet paper

*Pin bedclothes to the sheets (my 10 yr. old's idea)

*Place a drop of food coloring in the bottom of the cereal bowl for magic colored milk

*Squirt lemon juice in their water

*Switch the kids into different beds in the night

*Short sheet the beds

*Switch their clothes with their brother's clothes

*Change my name in my hubby's phone then send him whacked out text messages all day. Confusion...

What pranks did YOU pull yesterday?

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