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My Craft Room Reveal

August 22, 2014 41 Comments

Annie Sloan Unfolded provided me with materials for a furniture makeover, but all opinions and ideas are 100% my own.

Oh friends…it’s been a long time coming. I’ve needed to clean, reorganize, repaint, redecorate my work space for quite a while now. And today, I am so excited to finally share My Craft Room Reveal with you!

The biggest part of this project was the makeover on my craft desk that my husband built me. It needed lots of love after I pretty much trashed it. Here’s the before picture of my area. Did I mention I haven’t worked at that desk in over 2 years? Yeah. Wasted space.

It’s a bit embarrassing. But the after is so good, that I just have to show you the before. Here it is all cleaned out and ready to be painted.

And here is my pretty desk after I painted it. Isn’t it beautiful?! I am so in love. I used Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in the color Provence in addition to the Clear Soft Wax.

This is by far my favorite paint to use on furniture (although it can be used on many more surfaces). It’s so super easy to use and goes on like creamy butter.

I painted 2 coats of Provence on my desk and cubbies, allowing dry time in between, roughed it up with some sand paper, and then finished it off with the Clear Soft Wax. Isn’t the color gorgeous?? I’m obsessed with it. #paintallthethingsprovence!

Usually when I use wax on furniture, I use a rag to apply it. This time I used an Annie Sloan Wax Brush and it was AWESOME! I love this brush, and I am pretty picky about paint brushes. This brush made it so easy to get into all the little nooks and crannies.

My favorite part about this Chalk Paint® is that you don’t have a whole lot of prep work to do prior to painting. Annie Sloan makes it so easy for us DIYers… she’s the bomb diggity in my book.

And look how much it brightened my space! I need a happy place to work, and now my craft room is just that…happy. I added lots of special pieces to this space to make it a joyful place… including lots of goodies and items from my creative friends. They inspire me, encourage me, and love me. Even miles away through a computer screen.

We got a few organizational pieces of furniture to help clear up the floor space in the room. My daughter helped us put everything together and she also helped me clean up and organize the room. She provided plenty of compliments along the way, letting me know that she approved of the space too. ;) My helpful 6 year old.

I love using mason jars, baskets, boxes, and small buckets to store things in. I was also sure to label things so I would have an easier time finding things and putting them away.

I’m also diffusing Annie Sloan Provence Fragrance in my craft room…and it smells so clean in here! I love it. I think it’s so fun that the fragrance I chose ‘matches’ the Chalk Paint® color I used!

So what do you think? Big improvement, right? I still have a bit to do in this room. But for the most part, it’s finished and I couldn’t be happier with it.

My next project will be painting my brown chair… I haven’t decided how yet. I’m thinking of using Annie Sloan’s Old White Chalk Paint® on it… stay tuned for that project.

Just for fun, let’s see the Before and After comparison one more time…

If you are considering painting furniture, I highly recommend Chalk Paint® Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan. This is a great product for beginning painters and the pro painter. The prep time is reduced to merely wiping down your piece of furniture. And once you apply and buff the soft wax, the surface of your furniture is just that…soft!

You can connect with Annie Sloan Unfolded here…

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Thanks for stopping by to check out My Craft Room Reveal! Let me know what you think and be sure to pin your favorite parts!

Filed Under: craft room, DIY, painting, reveal, room makeover, sponsors

Mommy Tell All Monday: Three Tips to Help Kids Cope with Vaccinations

July 21, 2014 5 Comments

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

It’s that season my friends… Back to School season which involves school supplies and clothes shopping as well as vaccine updates. Getting “shots” is never a fun event… not for the kiddo or the mom. So today I am going to share three tips to help kids cope with vaccinations. There are simple things you can do to help prepare them and make them more comfortable, which is really a good thing for both of you.

1. Talk about it. Explain what a vaccination is and why your family chooses to vaccinate. I say something like, “We get vaccines to prevent us from getting really really sick. It’s a quick pokey, and then it’s done!” Tip: When you go to Walgreens for Back to School supplies, stop by the pharmacy for Back to School Immunizations too! Not only do they make it quick and easy for you, but Walgreens will also provide a life saving vaccine to a child in a developing country through the United Nation Foundation’s Shot@Life Campaign when your child receives their immunization. It’s called the Get a Shot #GiveaShot Campaign. (This program is aimed for school age children, 7 and older).

2. Kid’s Choice on Band Aids. As you are walking over to Walgreens pharmacy for immunizations, stop by the band aids aisle and let your kiddo pick out a special box of band aids. For whatever reason, it’s always fun to pick out a new box of band aids… it’s like flashy stickers for your battle wounds. You can pay for the band aids at the pharmacy and open the box and let your child choose one for after their immunization.

3. Reward. After your kiddo is a brave champion, a simple reward like a special lolly pop can go a long way. Of course Walgreens has art supplies, toys, and other snacks that can be used as rewards as well, but we try to aim for simple. A lolly pop gets the job done. Especially a pink, bubble gum flavored lolly pop.

What are your tips for helping your kids cope with vaccinations? Anything special you do to relieve some of the anxiety?

Filed Under: mom, Mommy Tell All Monday, motherhood, sponsors

The Cookie Doughjo + a Giveaway

July 9, 2014 3 Comments

Hello there friends!

I’ve got a great summer activity for you- baking with kids! Do your kids love to cook and bake? My daughter and I LOVE playing in the kitchen together.

The other day I had the privilege of taking me daughter to a blogger meet and greet at The Cookie Doughjo in Peoria, Arizona. My daughter and I had so much fun that afternoon baking and socializing with our friends. Really a great, family friendly atmosphere and I love the hands-on involvement of the kids and that they have something edible and delicious to take home.

The kids made delicious M&M Cookies and were able to help with all of the steps.

Regina (owner) was very friendly and super accommodating. Her two helpers where able to assist the kids as well, which really helped to accommodate for our large group. We also loved that the kids could decorate their take home boxes while the cookies baked. Boy did it smell good in there!

The Cookie Doughjo is open for walk-ins and you can also schedule an event there such as a birthday party or mommy and me meet up with your friends.

Today some of my Arizona blogger friends and I teamed up with Regina at The Cookie Doughjo to give away 2 cookie classes and an apron! That’s a $75 value! Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can connect with The Cookie Doughjo on social media too!

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Thanks to Vanessa at See Vanessa Craft and Regina at The Cookie Doughjo for organizing such a fun event for us mommies and kiddos!

Filed Under: giveaway, kid-friendly, sponsors

Almond Milk Recipe: Dairy Free Pina Colada Smoothie

June 30, 2014 10 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias

Summertime in Arizona requires mandatory cold treats. It’s just too hot to handle at times, and a yummy, cold treat is just what you need. The other day I made everyone in my family a Dairy Free Pina Colada Smoothie; an almond milk recipe. They are healthy, easy to make, and totally kid friendly.

Almond milk is a staple in our home. We drink, cook, and bake with almond milk. So the other day while grocery shopping at Safeway, I picked up a couple of new Silk Almondmilks: Silk Almond Coconut Blend and Silk Almondmilk Protein + Fiber. I love Silk Almondmilk for so many reasons but the health factors is something that’s really important to me. With 50% more calcium than cow milk, zero cholesterol and lower calories, you can’t go wrong. Plus, it’s yummy.

I used both of the new Silk Almondmilks to make the Dairy Free Pina Coladas, and they turned out so good. The perfect summer treat. All you need is Silk Almond Coconut Blend, Silk Almondmilk Protein + Fiber, pineapple juice, greek vanilla yogurt, and ice. That’s it!

Dairy Free Pina Colada Smoothie

2014-06-30 01:27:43

Serves 1

A delicious almond milk recipe.

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Total Time

10 min

Total Time

10 min

Ingredients

1 cup of ice
1/2 cup of pineapple juice
1/2 cup of Silk Almond Coconut Blend
1/4 cup of Silk Almondmilk Protein + Fiber
1/4 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt

Instructions

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass.
Top with a pineapple slice and drink from a fun straw!

By Kara @ Mine for the Making

Mine for the Making http://mineforthemaking.com/

Search the hash tags #CollectiveBias and #SilkAlmondBlends on social media to find more ways you can incorporate Silk Almondmilk in your diet.

Linking up at The Creative Collection.

Filed Under: healthy, recipe, smoothie, sponsors

Our Family’s Best Friend

June 30, 2014 5 Comments

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Purina One, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ONEDifference http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Have you ever heard the saying, “A house is never lonely where a loving dog waits”? That is what Bruzer does for us. And he has done so for me for years. He’s our family’s best friend.

Our Chihuahua was my first baby. I bought him as a puppy from a breeder when I was 19 years old. I remember at the age of 14 planning out exactly what dog I was going to buy once I was living on my own. As a teen, I collected the “Taco Bell Dog” stuffed animals and my husband (at the time, boyfriend) even bought me a Taco Bell Dog shirt. Obsessed much? Then when the movie Legally Blonde (starring my favorite actress, Reese Witherspoon) came out, I just KNEW I had to have my own Chihuahua… hence where the name Bruzer came from. We were meant to be. Look at the cute white heart on his head… love him.

Though Bruzer is not a pup anymore, his heart and mind still believe he is. I know that as he’s getting older, it’s even more important to take care of his health. So I decided we would join the Purina One 28 Day Challenge and start him on a new food. Since Bruzer is such a picky eater, my main concern was that he would like the food and actually eat it. Can I just tell you that he LOVES it. And when I say that he loves it, I mean the kind of love where you stash a few pieces in your bed with you in case you get hungry in the middle of the night kind of love. He cracks me up!

Bruzer is a pretty energetic dog, but after about a week into the Purina One 28 Day Challenge, I noticed that he had even more energy. He’s been playing chase with our cat in the backyard, running around the house and then jumping on his bed, doing even more silly stunts to make my daughter laugh…he just seems so happy! And look at that beautiful coat of fur! Not a fan of the shedding, but it’s so soft and shiny. Such a handsome Brudy Boy!

A photo shoot with an energetic, silly dog is not the easiest thing, let me tell ya! But my daughter and I had some good laughs, which is Bruzer’s favorite thing to do…make the girls laugh. We’re going to continue the Purina One 28 Day Challenge because we are loving the results!

To learn more about the Purina One 28 Day Challenge and to sign your dog(s) up, click HERE. You’ll also get a $3 off coupon towards a Purina One bag of dog food!

Linking up to The Creative Collection.

Filed Under: family, sponsors Tagged With: pets

Tie Dye Pool Tote

June 20, 2014 2 Comments

I have been compensated for this post. All ideas and opinions are my own. This post contains paid links.

The other day we had a swim play date over at our good friends’ house and had SO much fun. We chatted, laughed, snacked, kept cool, and enjoyed each other’s company. I even brought over Tulip Tie Dye kits so that the kids could have a little Tie Dye Your Summer fun! Some of the kiddos made shirts and my daughter made a Tie Dye Pool Tote to carry her pool essentials in over the summer.

I love how easy and kid-friendly the Tulip Dye kits are. The kits come with dye, squeeze bottles, gloves, rubber bands, and a plastic sheet for your work space. All you need is the items you will be tie dying like totes, towels, socks, pillowcases, clothing, etc. We used the large kit and it had a ton of fun colors in it!

We set up the work area for the kids and got the tie dye squeeze bottles ready. We helped the kids bunch up their shirts and tote to rubber band and then we let the kids go to town tie dying, with gloves on of course. They squeezed and squirted the tie dyes all over their material. Lots of fun colors to pick from and the kids loved picking and choosing which colors they wanted to use.

When the kids were done, we bagged up the shirts and tote to allow 6-8 hours of dry/set time. Then we washed them according to the directions on the Tulip Tie Dye kit. A seriously FUN afternoon. The kids thanked us and thanked us for the fun they had; it was so sweet how much they loved it.

Such sweet friends! We are so very grateful to be making these sweet summer memories with such special friends.

And my daughter loves her new pool tote…it turned out cute, didn’t it?! She did such a good job.

For more creative ideas, check out I Love To Create on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and blog.

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Filed Under: kid-friendly, sponsors, summer, tutorial

#ad Mommy Tell All Monday: End Hunger + Simple Acts of Service

June 16, 2014 5 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias

Hello and welcome to Mommy Tell All Monday, where we share all things related to motherhood. Today I am going to be sharing ways we can help to End Hunger + Simple Acts of Service.

While I was grocery shopping at Walmart the other day, I was thinking about how grateful I am for the women in my life who display simple acts of service on a regular basis. Being around those who serve others influences you to serve others as well. One friend in particular (though I have many) came to mind, and right there in the grocery store I decided I was going to serve her. Whether she is serving her family, her friends, her church, or even complete strangers, my friend Brit is always thinking of others. So I picked up some yummy ingredients to make my family and her family a tasty summer dinner.

I purchased Tyson Grilled and Ready Fajita Chicken Strips, spring greens mix, black beans, corn, avocado, cheddar cheese, tortilla strips, Ranch dressing, and salsa. I was so excited to get home to whip up this quick, healthy, summer meal!

It only took me about 15 minutes to put this yummy Fajita Chicken Summer Salad together for both my family and my friend’s family (you can find the recipe at the bottom of this post). The chicken is grilled and ready so you just have to heat it up prior to eating it. I also made a cute Random Acts of Kindness tag that I attached to the meal to encourage more simple acts of service (you can print off the tags HERE), and drove it over to Brit’s house to surprise her and her family.

LOL! Aren’t they the cutest? And Brit confirmed that not only did she have 2 bowls of salad, the kids gobbled it down for dinner too! Talk about a WIN for this girl!

How can we provide simple acts of service and help end hunger? Tyson makes it that much easier for us! They have partnered with Champions for Kids for a program called #SummerofGiving. Ending hunger is a very important initiative to Tyson Foods. The Tyson Family Foundation initiative, KNOW Hunger, is a project designed to encourage people to KNOW the scope of hunger in their own communities and get involved in relief efforts, so that someday there will be NO hunger in our country. Find out more about this initiative HERE.

So… where do we come in? For every bag of Tyson product purchased from Walmart by you and me, one meal will be donated to a child in need by Tyson! Isn’t that amazing? Wait…it gets better. Walmart has promised to feed 5 million kids this summer as well! I love when companies give back and promote doing good. So head to your local Walmart and pick up a bag of Tyson’s Grilled and Ready Chicken Fajita Chicken so that you can make this yummy salad for your family and a family you’d like to serve….plus help end hunger by purchasing these products. It’s a win-win my friends!

Chicken Fajita Summer Salad

2014-06-16 00:48:09

Serves 4

A delicious, healthy, simple summer salad featuring Tyson Grilled and Ready Fajita Chicken.

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Total Time

15 min

Total Time

15 min

For the Salad

2 cups Tyson Grilled and Ready Fajita Chicken
Spring Greens Mix
1 avocado, cubed
1 cup corn
3/4 can of black beans
1 cup tortilla strips
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder

For the Dressing

1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup Salsa

For the Salad

Heat up Fajita Chicken according to the package and then allow to cool.
In a mixing bowl, mix together corn, black beans, avocado, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Pour the bean/corn/avocado mix evenly over the mixed greens.
Sprinkle tortilla strips and cheddar cheese over the top of the salad.
Chop up cooled Fajita Chicken and layer on top.

For the Dressing

Mix the Ranch Dressing and salsa in a small mixing bowl and drizzle over the top of the salad.

By Kara @ Mine for the Making

Mine for the Making http://mineforthemaking.com/

Filed Under: Mommy Tell All Monday, motherhood, print, printable, recipe, sponsors

Mommy Tell All Monday: 4 Easy Ways to Teach Kids How to Keep a Healthy Home, Body, and Planet

April 14, 2014 6 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #WalgreensOlogy

Hello and welcome to Mommy Tell All Monday, a place where I share all things related to motherhood!

Today I am sharing 4 easy ways to teach kids how to keep a healthy home, body, and planet using Ology products, exclusively at Walgreens. Around our house, we are making simple, positive changes that will not only better our health, but will leave the planet a better place! Ology is making it SUPER easy for us busy moms to do that.

Ology products help me create a healthier and safer environment by avoiding toxic ingredients. I have children in my home on a regular basis as I teach children’s cooking classes, so it’s extremely important to me to not only keep my home clean, but to avoid chemicals as well.

1. Wash clothing, towels, blankets, (and in my case aprons) using detergent with no harmful chemicals, detergents that are plant based and are not tested on animals. I love Ology’s detergent because it’s tough on stains (cooking class with kids is MESSY) but gentle on clothing and skin.

2. Wash your hands, body and hair with chemical free, non toxic soaps. Ology soaps have no Parabens or Sulfates either! Nourish your skin and hair without the harmful chemicals. I keep a bar of the Oatmeal and Honey bar soap at the kitchen sink, especially for little hands. Plus, my daughter has very sensitive skin and her hands chap easily when we use harsh soaps. Ology’s soaps have been so gentle on her hands! We love it!

3. Wipe down counters, tables, and other surfaces using chemical free, non toxic all-purpose cleaners. I’m even okay with my 3 year old little chefs wiping down their work areas with Ology’s All-Purpose Cleaner during cooking class! It cuts through grease and grime without using solvents or ammonia. Perfect for little hands. Plus, I’m teaching my 6 year old how to read labels on products and foods so that we are really looking at how things and made and what they are made with. Shopping trips can definitely be a learning experience!

4. Use Tree Free paper products such as towels, bath tissue, and facial tissue. Can I just tell you I had NO IDEA there was such a thing? Ology paper products are made from sugarcane husk and bamboo. How awesome is that?! Let’s teach our children early on how important it is to make choices that are safer and better for our environment.

Ology products can be found all over your local Walgreens store. I love that Ology is on almost every aisle in Walgreens…that means I have lots of chemical free products that are readily available and affordable.

How are you teaching your kids about keeping a healthy home, body, and planet? Every little bit helps! Let’s be great examples to the little ones in our lives!

Filed Under: ad, kid-friendly, Mommy Tell All Monday, motherhood, sponsors, tips

#ad Gluten Free Chicken Salad Sandwich

March 4, 2014 7 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CookItGF #CollectiveBias

Since eliminating gluten from my diet almost 9 months ago, I have really enjoyed creating new gluten free recipes for my family and myself. I love simple recipes that I can make quickly for my family…especially during soccer season (which happens to be year round for our family). I made a really yummy Gluten Free Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe the other night for dinner using Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken from Sam’s Club.

I made dinner in 15 minutes, people. That’s pretty amazing in my book.

Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken made dinner prep quick and simple. I threw a couple of pieces of chicken in the microwave (following the directions on the package) for a few minutes and BOOM! My chicken was ready to be beautified into an amazing Gluten Free Chicken Salad Sandwich.

Sam’s Club will have in-store demos using Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken on 3/6 and 3/8 so that you are able to try before you buy! But let me tell you, the chicken is juicy and full of flavor. You will love the taste and you will love how convenient and quick it makes dinner prep. Check for Sam’s Club locations near you.

Have I tempted you and teased you enough with this yummy gluten free sandwich? Here’s the recipe so that you can make your very own!

Gluten Free Chicken Salad Sandwhich

2014-03-04 20:51:06

Serves 2

A quick and simple gluten free recipe using Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken from Sam's Club.

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Total Time

15 min

Total Time

15 min

Ingredients

Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken (2 breasts)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup craisins
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup minced onion
salt & pepper to taste
gluten free bread
spinach or lettuce (optional)

Instructions

Cook 2 Tyson Gluten Free Grilled & Ready Chicken breasts according to the directions on the package.
Shred chicken and put in the freezer for a quick cool down.
Once chicken has cooled, in a small mixing bowl add all ingredients and mix well.
Toast your gluten free bread and top with spinach or lettuce and load up with the chicken salad mix.
Enjoy!

Notes

Substitute your favorite nuts if you aren't a fan of almonds and even top on avocado instead of using bread!

By Kara @ Mine for the Making

Mine for the Making http://mineforthemaking.com/

Filed Under: ad, gluten free, recipe, sponsors

Decorating with Minted

February 28, 2014 2 Comments

This is a sponsored post, though all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

One of my FAVORITE things to do is decorate. Ever since I was a little girl, I delighted in rearranging my bedroom furniture, repainting picture frames and lamps, recovering pillows, etc. Now as a wife, mother, and homemaker, I especially love to decorate my home. I work from home, I teach from home, I make memories in my home…we spend a lot of time at home, so I want it to be a happy, peaceful, comfortable place for my family and our guests to reside. A simple way to do this is by hanging beautiful framed art on your walls. The pieces you hang should inspire you, remind you, uplift you, strengthen you, reflect you, encourage you, and make you smile…

That’s where decorating with Minted comes in!

Minted has a multitude of beautiful, original wall art prints to choose from. They have something for every.single.room in your home, no joke! I browsed through the prints and literally found something for every room in my house…the kitchen, the living room, my craft room, my daughter’s room, the master bedroom, and even the playroom. LOTS of different styles and many of the prints can be personalized. Check out this Family Tree Rings piece. I adore it!

What a great gift to give a friend or family member! I’m thinking wedding gift, house warming gift, baby shower gift, anniversary gift… There’s really something for any gift-giving occasion.

There’s a great selection of frames to choose from as well, so you don’t have to worry about frame shopping! Your print will come to you already framed. Thanks for that added convenience, Minted! Love these three styles, don’t you?

Minted also offers a variety of other services such as announcements, invitations, stationary, business cards, journals, calendars and more! I love that Minted offers free recipient addressing too! I tell you what… pretty things + convenience will get me every time.