Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Giving Back Through Champions for Kids #CBias #DisneyCFK - Part 2

Even though you may find me complaining about things here and there, I am truly fortunate to be blessed with good health and the material things needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.  For that I am very grateful.

Whether it be due to their financial circumstances or a health crisis I am reminded that there are many individuals much less fortunate than I am.  During this season of giving, I created a Christmas stocking filled with Disney items fit for a Princess.



I dropped off the stocking, along with other toys I had purchased, for The Mark Staehely Treasure Chest Program at my local fire station.  The items would be distributed to various children spending their Christmas in the hospital.  Although I wasn't able to deliver the stocking personally, I think that it put a big smile on the face of the little girl who received it.

To learn more about Champions for Kids, visit them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @champions4kids.  To read Part 1 click here.


#CBias #DisneyCFK

Disclaimer:  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All opinions are my own.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011

New Years Vision Board with Elmers #GlueNGlitter

According to The Law of Attraction you attract into your life the things you think about. Positive thinking brings about positive results.   To manifest your goals you should surround yourself with positive things to achieve a positive outcome.  The start of a new year is a good time to create a vision board to remind yourself of these goals.

A vision board is very easy to make, in fact you've probably made one way back in high school.  Remember when you cut out words and pictures that inspired you?  Same concept applies and today I'm going to show you how to make your very own Vision Board right here so that you can experience the amazing future ahead of you.

You'll need to gather some supplies:

Poster board
Adhesive
Scissors
A very large stack of magazines
Markers
Assorted embellishments of your choice
One really amazing, happy, smiling picture of yourself

There is no right or wrong way to create this project.  It's your vision board so anything goes.

I made a list of things I want to achieve in the new year, to be a sort of guide when I looked in the magazines.


 I sat down on the floor with my stack of magazines and started going through each one looking for words and pictures that made me smile. When I had a sufficient stack to work with, I started working on the actual poster board.  For this project I chose to cover the board with a beautiful sparkly pink scrapbook paper.  I probably should have taped the sheets together first and then wrapped the board like a present, but this was a learning experience as well.  I attached the scrapbook paper to the board using double sided tape.


Right about now my back, behind and legs are killing me from sitting on the hard floor so I move the whole operation to the kitchen table.

As this will be an ever changing project, I added some embellishments I found in the scrapbook section of my local Walmart.  Mostly stickers and sparkly words, and a pink refrigerator clip for the items I didn't want to glue on to the board.  In my case cash. I wanted my vision board to always have a pretty background even when I changed the pictures around.


With the background of the board looking really great, I'm ready to start adding those pictures and words I cut out.  But first, in the middle of the board, I added one of my picture business cards.  Because my smiling face is the center of this vision board, and all of my goals and dreams.

Some people organize their boards by themes, and others like to place pictures all over the board. You might want to leave some space to write words that you were not able to find in the magazines.  I attached my pictures all over the board, some with the doubled sided tape and some with thumbtacks so I can change the pictures out when my goals change.  I also attached a few small blank pieces of paper to write things on.

Add as much or as little as you want.  When I felt that I was done I looked back and admired my beautiful vision board.  You can see more photos here.


The key to a successful vision board is to post it in a place where you have to look at every day so that it can serve as a constant reminder of what you are working toward.  Looking daily at your vision board will transform your life.

Feel it! Think it! Live it!

Disclaimer:  This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Elmer's #gluenglitter #collectivebias #CBias all opinions and photographs are my own.
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Friday, December 23, 2011

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer-Tickets to Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream

Are you still looking for that perfect stocking stuffer?

Wouldn't your little Princess be excited to find tickets to Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream in her stocking on Christmas morning?


Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! 

Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate
Disney Princess event of a lifetime! 

Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to Chicago at the Allstate Arena, January 25-29 and the United Center February 1-12.



Purchase 4 tickets to weekday shows for $44 or save $4 on weekend showsby using code MOM at Ticketmaster.

Or win a family 4 pack of tickets to the Chicago area show of your choice right here, by leaving me a comment telling me who you'd like to take to the show with you.  I'll pick a winner on Saturday December 24th so your Princess has her gift on Christmas morning.  PLEASE leave your email in your comment to make it easier for me to reach you. 

Disclaimer:  Feld Entertainment provided tickets for this giveaway as well as tickets for my family to attend a show in exchange for sharing this information.
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Our Little Gingerbread Experience

A few weeks back TOF had a school project that involved a Flat Stanley type Gingerbread Man.  His assignment was to carry it with him over the weekend and snap pictures and then write about what they did together.

Luckily we had an adventure packed weekend and he didn't end up with a book full of I sat on the couch watching TV this weekend pictures.

Thanks to ChiIL Mama, I won tickets to a performance of Gustafer Yellowgold and brunch at Schuba's.

Since his creation by Morgan Taylor in 2005, Gustafer Yellowgold has become an international phenomenon, acclaimed by The New York Times, which described Gustafer as "A cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss."

Gustafer himself is a friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun and is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods. Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling.


After a delicious brunch we enjoyed a delightful performance at which both boys were completely mesmerized by the story of Gustafer.  The show lasted about an hour and although my boys didn't want to, most kids sat on the floor front and center and there was lots of audience interaction.  If you ever have the chance to see Morgan Taylor perform, GO!  Our tickets were complimentary, but the ticket price was only $10 and well worth it for children's entertainment that adults will enjoy as well. 

The afternoon was still young and I figured as long as we were already in Chicago, why not a take trip downtown to see the Christmas decorations.  Augie Dawgs, being  a suburban girl and all was a little leery, but I persisted and soon we were on the el headed downtown. 

First time on the el.


We headed to Mac...I just can't bring myself to say it.  We arrived at the former Marshall Field's and took the express elevator up to the 7th floor where TOF and I flashed our fabulous smiles at the Walnut Room manager and got right to the front of the line.  A mema's got to do what a mema's got to do.  But before you get all huffy, it was only to take the picture and I explained that it was for a school project and the manager was happy to accommodate us (as Augie Dawgs cringed in a far off corner)  Pfft, you never get anywhere in life being a wallflower.

We then took a quick walk to the Daley Plaza, thank hank for the Pedway, to see the tree and check out the Christkindl Market.  I'd never been to the Market before and I'd love to return but without the boys so I could do a little browsing and not have to worry about them being trampled by the crowd.

The Gingerbread Man assignment got me thinking that TOF is probably just the right age to enjoy making a Gingerbread house.  I had only helped make one once before and that was with a recycled school sized milk container and graham crackers.  So yesterday, we rolled up our sleeves and got busy with a kit I had purchased.


TOF was so excited about putting together his creation.  I piped out the frosting and he applied the candies, alternating colors and shapes to make a patterin.

Here's our finished product which he is so proud of!


I promise he's not grimacing in pain, that's his show off your missing front teeth pose.



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Thursday, December 22, 2011

PartyLite Home Party- Party with Friends...Shop Free!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you love being surrounded by beautiful home accessories? Then chances are you've heard of Partylite, the world's largest direct seller of candles, candle holders and home accessories.  If you haven't heard of Partylite, their products are sold at home parties in the United States and 17 countries as well as online. There is a  PartyLite party happening somewhere every 18 seconds!


It's been quite some time since I've been to a Parytlite Party and even longer since I've hosted one, but I do recall that they have an amazing hostess program.  You can earn so much free merchandise just for gathering a few friends and neighbors in your home.  There are also hostess only specials and booking gifts available, which will help you earn additional freebies as guests book parties of their own  Your guests will buy Partylite candles because they are appealing, beautiful, smell wonderful and are absolutely the best candles you can buy.

My consultant always made the parties fun by playing games and giving prizes.  She also offered an incentive to anyone who brought an extra guest with them.  The more the merrier was her motto.

Although the PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes is over, you can be one of the first to preview the new Winter/Spring 2012 catalogue.  Additionally, you can like the PartyLite Facebook page to find out about special monthly offers online for party hosts and guests.

Visit Sponsor's Site
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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Ooo La La Shoes

Newsflash...there are only ten days remaining in 2011.  Why not shake up your standard style with some trendy footwear.  Make your feet the focal point of your New Years' Eve look.  Pump, flats, sandals, platforms.  What will it be?  Maybe a zebra print to bring out the animal in you?

Not just any old regular girl?  There are plenty of irregular choice shoes as well. Create a little mayhem on the dance floor wearing a comfortable and oh so trendy pump with an amazing feather detail.  Don't head out to Abigail's party without a gorgeous sequin wrapped booty.  Show some motherly love with a wedge booty that boasts a funky animal print.

Even if you're just planning a casual night out at a rustic cabin, there's a pair of frye boots waiting for you. If you're looking for comfort and quality you can't go wrong with the soft grey slouch.  So very very chic!

Shoes are the key to a great outfit.  If you don't have the right shoes you may as well stay home.

Disclaimer:  This was a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Crafting with Mema

I came across a few old posts of Christmas crafts that I thought you might appreciate.  Click through for easy directions.


 





Here's one I made with a trash can purchased at the dollar store, a sharpie and a page from a coloring book.  Tape the page to the inside of the trash can, hold up to a bright light and trace with the sharpie.





If you have a minute, click over and vote for Megryansmom's Christmas tree!
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