Look What I Found On My Video Camera

This chick loves her Monster High and has quite an extensive collection.

I was surprised to see this during my video camera download which happens at least once a week and usually when I have a review video saved.  This one surprised me because Goddess never told me she did it and I was so happy with how she showcased the details of what she loved about the car. She did a pretty good job for an 8 year old with a camera. What do you think?

Crayola Fun Gift Pack Review

We are having the best time with Crayola this Summer.  If you deal with kids you undoubtedly have purchased at least 2 times their weight in Crayola products. I know we have! At almost 47, there still is nothing like a fresh box of crayons for me! LOVE opening a new box and seeing all those beautiful colors and thinking about all the possibilities. As a child I used to use the bottom of the crayons so that there were still beautifully pointed crayons in the box.

We received a box containing:

 - (1) Pack of Washable Sidewalk Chalk
- (1) Color Wonder Mini Stow and Go
- (1) Color Wonder Mess-Free Glitter Paper and Markers

Let's start with the Washable Sidewalk Chalk
 I can tell you that there are some amazing colors here. This isn't momma's sidewalk chalk by any means.  There were so many colors, I couldn't stop taking pictures of them which is evident in the next few photos. You should see how many I didn't include.

Next is the Color Wonder Mess Free Glitter Coloring Pack featuring Disney's beloved princesses. I happened to be babysitting one of my favorite 4 year old girls who couldn't wait to crack open the box.

.

Inside the box were these awesome pages full of glitterness and princesses. What girl wouldn't love it? Heck, I loved it!

It also comes with 5 Color Wonder markers! I love Color Wonder. There is absolutely no mess. They take the marker which comes out clear and when it hits the page, it changes to the color of the marker. LOVE IT! Perfect for even 1 year olds.

Little Miss, couldn't wait to color her princess PINK! The whole page was colored pink in fact!

Goddess and Little Miss sat for a while coloring pages. Great start to their playdate.

After that we headed to the deck for some Chalk Play where Goddess got started on a unicorn.

Love it! It came with 3 Color Wonder Markers but Goddess added the Glitter Paper and Markers so they were not lost.

We love it because you can take it with you on trips to the beach, doctors office, car trip, plane or wherever. So easy to keep everything in and go!

Perfect idea for traveling.

. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

#Monster High Pendant Tutorial

OK, I don't know shit about creating a tutorial. I suck at taking photos and usually remember after I start something that Bloggers are only as good as their photos and words. My husband always says, "bloggers are never without their cameras" yet, I jump in like I do everything else in my life and fail to capture all the important things.

SO...with that said, here is my Monster High Pendant Tutorial...

We received a box of crafts, toys, jewelry and miscellaneous items during a friends move.  She usually calls me over and sends me home with boxes and bags of things like clothes, household goods, books and stuff that she and the kids no longer want.  In one of the boxes I found a bag of Rummikub pieces. Never heard of it and had no idea what I was going to do with it but held onto it.

Light bulb moment! I gathered my supplies not knowing if it was going to work but...eureka I did!

Rummikub Pieces
Newspaper
Tacky Glue
X-Acto Knife
Paint Brush
Glitter
Stickers, pictures, whatever
Foam Sheets
High Gloss Clear Spray Paint

Cut the foam to fit the base like the one above or the one below.

Glue foam to both sides of the Rummikub.

Put glue all around the Rummikub sandwich and dip into glitter

We made lots of them....couldn't stop...addictive...send help!

Next we added some stickers

Glued a bail to the back, added the high gloss clear spray paint and........

Wah La

These were our first twooooo and Goddess loves them. We made some for her friends at school and plan on making many more. We even did some magnets for Halloween. Fun and easy and we had everything in our supplies. Isn't that the best kind of craft?

See my Monster High Suitcase Redo

It's Time, Once Again, Another Award Show!

I don't know about you, but I never truly look forward to award show season. This isn't to suggest that I don't get excited when my favorite album wins a Grammy, or a movie I love gets the coveted Oscar, or when the show that most deserves it gets the Emmy.

And speaking of which, it is of course time for the annual award show and the Internet is already buzzing about the Emmy nominees for this year. A likely major theme for this year's Emmys is the inclusion of online series, two actually, and both come from Netflix - the very successful House of Cards made history by grabbing a nomination, while fan favorite comedy Arrested Development was reborn this year and grabbed a nomination for single picture editing on a comedy.

This is actually big news, as it marks the first time that online content is seen as a player against the small screen of broadcast and cable television. While I haven't seen House of Cards, I did watch the fourth season of AD and loved it.

Also making some good history is HBO's Game of Thrones and FX's American Horror Story: Asylum. Why? For the simple fact that there are few shows that combine good story telling, great costumes, and horror quite like these two shows (at least not in recent years). Just do a search for the red wedding (prepare for spoilers if you don't watch GoT) and you'll see for those who hadn't read the George RR Martin books, they ignited the Internet with shock and surprise.

Which was quite funny, actually.

As a parent, I also like to know which shows I can watch with Handsome and Goddess and I have to say, I'm a little disappointed that most of the animated nominees aren't actually for kids. As an adult, the fact that the long running Simpsons was again nominated (though, not sure why when the show is more miss than hit these days), is great, as is nominations for Family Guy, Robot Chicken, and South Park are equally great.

However, I think the board still thinks animated means 'kids'. Even the non animated shows are truly aimed at kids; Disney's Good Luck, Charlie and Nick's iCarly are really aimed at the preteen set. Remember the days when you could expect to see Sesame Street on the nominee list? The Kung Fu Panda inspired TV show, also offered from Nick and maybe Cartoon Network's Adventure Time and Regular Show were really the only ones aimed at kids.

With that said, there were some really good informational and educational programs on the ballot. I love Myth Busters for the way they combine science, urban legend, and fun into an hour long show and National Geographic's Brain Games is very insightful when it comes to learning what goes on in our brains when we make decisions or do things.

I wish there were more shows like this that made the list; you wouldn't believe how long the list is for reality shows. Why is there even a category for these things? And then we wonder why we're falling behind in education.

Our Weekends Look Pretty Much Like This

This particular weekend was very overcast but it was a beautiful day anyway.

One of the reasons is because of this...my husband and kids together in the water. Usually it is only the kids and I. When he is with us, we go to a bigger beach where the kids can swim out and jump off a floating platform.

My favorite part is watching my two boys on the platform. Handsome is not allowed to go out there without his dad. I get nervous because it is deep and I worry about him getting caught up under the platform. It can happen. Did happen to a young man and the results weren't good. Rest his soul. That very platform! So, you can imagine why I am so nervous.

Look at my man just standing there looking good!

Because the boys were out there and I was on the sand taking photos, Goddess spent time playing in the sand which she never does now that she swims and isn't afraid to put her head under the water.

She is just so cute in her pretty purple bathing suit and beautiful hair.

These guys have it made with their party boat and slide

AND...my beautiful baby because she is truly my muse and I love taking photos of her.

How are you guys spending your weekend?

Skincare That Works Bioque - Review

The 411 by Maria: I love Bioque. It goes on beautifully. Very shear and dries really quick. Leaves your face feeling less tired looking. If it is good enough for Hollywood. It is definitely good enough for me. 

First I put on a facial moisturizer and then I grab the little spoon that came with my Bioque Formula 9 Firming Gel. The word Gel might throw you off because it certainly doesn't seem very gel like.  It it is very thin and comes with a little spoon. I use a spoon full for each section of my face including my neck.

Bioque @ 3:50

Dessert Designer Creations You Can Make AND EAT! by Diana Meachen Rau

The 411 by Maria:

WE are in love with this book. When I say WE I mean, Goddess, me, and one of my guinea pig play dates. 

Goddess and I took our time going through the book trying to decide on our favorite recipe idea for her much anticipated play date. 

She choose the Sugar Burgers which are adorable.

Here are our attempts at making them. So sorry that I never got a chance to use the camera on them. These were taken with my cell phone. HUGE DIFFERENCE but you get the idea.

It is basically cupcakes, frosting, fruit roll up, icing and gum drops although we didn't have those so we improvised with more fruit roll up.  They are so cute!

Even Goddess who has never eaten a burger in her 8 years because she refuses meat, ate three of these and our play date asked to take 2 home with her.

The book has 51 creations that are easy enough for even kids! The hardest part of the 51 yummy creations if figuring which one to try first.

Each creation is edible, adorable, easy, fun, creative, and includes an ingredient list, page size color photograph, and directions.

 

What do you think? 

Just A Few Days Ago....Before The Sickies Came

It has been a busy Summer for us. Teach had two business trips, kids have classes on Tuesday and Thursday; Goddess for reading and Handsome for Social Skills (I think all kids should have this!), lots of beach time, some play dates, Splash Down and not nearly enough social time for ME!

All of this adventure have left Handsome and Goddess with some sickness. Handsome was last week with a sore throat which only lasted two days. Goddess started complaining Friday night about a sore throat. I chalked it up to too much water intake and the heat at Splash Down but the next morning, it was her stomach, throat, head and a low grade fever. No meds other than Tums and gargling with salt water on Saturday. Sunday when she complained the next morning, I gave her some Children's pain reliever after her fever went to 100.7 and she was still complaining. She slept awhile. Today she woke up still complaining so I scheduled a doctor appointment. Called at 9 and the first I could get was 4:30 so I guess we are not the only one on a Monday.

BUT...before the sickies took us, we have had a ton of beach and pool fun.

Here is Handsome enjoying a friends pool and borrowing her daughter's fin. The pointing thing is new and my husband and I have no idea where he got it from.

Not to be outdone by her older brother, Goddess, needs to try them on too even though she was freezing at this point.

All my kids do is run and jump into the pool. I get it, my feet still hurt from all the running and jumping. I am 47 next month and still jump into the pool, do handstands and somersaults!  In my opinion, why bothering going into a pool if you are going to just lie around?

These are some shots from the lake where Handsome and Goddess enjoyed some time with some of the kids from their school who were also there.

 Good times!

One of the slides at Splash Down. That's Handsome in the back and one of his friends from class.

We got back just in time from the beach last week..a random rain storm was tremendous but only lasted about 5 minutes before the sun came out again but Handsome went outside to wash some of the sand off while Goddess was in the shower. Wish there was a rain storm every time we got back from the beach. I would have less sweeping to do in the bathroom.

We hope you all are feeling well and have been enjoying the Summer as much as we have.

True Blood Is My Obsession

If you are my friend on You Tube, you know I am completely obsessed with True Blood; so much so that I have re-watched Seasons with friends who never watched before starting at episode 1.

The super LOOONG hiatus is really hard for me and I often watch my favorite episodes or grab a box set and re-watch a season.  It is truly one of the best shows on TV.

If you are not watching, you are crazy. Call me and I will bring my sets over, we can watch, chat, obsess and get you up to speed.

True Blood Season 5 wasn't the best season but I LOVED EVERY MOMENT.

This Season starts with the intense ending from last season...To recap, the ending of all endings; Sookie's best friend was bitten and she blew away the vamp who bite her.

Some of my favorite things about Season 5:

•  Pam become a "mom" so to speak.
• We meet Eric's "sister" Nora who knocks boots with Eric like nobody's business. Interesting relationship.
• New characters are introduced in the form of the Authority where Eric, Bill, and Nora spend most of the whole season.
• We learn about the Vamp "Goddess" Lilith whose blood is mighty powerful.
• Eric and Pam's beginnings are finally revealed in flashbacks. Eric's painful release of Pam, oh my poor Pam. I do love her.
• Alcide kisses Sookie. FINALLY and she chucks all over his shoes. Moment RUINED UGH
• We learn a bit more about Terry when his military friend Patrick shows up, he isn't around long.
• Vampire Russell, has been recovering in a hospital and wants Sooks blood. Come one, is there a guy on this show who doesn't want Sookie's hemoglobin. Yee God! 
• Poor Lafayette can't catch a freaking break and is seeing brujo faces. Poor guy has no one left.
• Alcide becomes pack leader and we meet a bunch of new slutty pack girls.
• Sookie and Jason learn from the Faeries that if she isn't careful with her power, it could run out and spend a LOT of time in the Faerie room
• Jason and Jessica have a moment!
• Bill spends a lot of time worshiping the bottle of Lilith
• Russell and Steve Newlin? Umm...interesting pairing and ending....
• There is a lot of wolf pack orgyness
• Hoyt and Jessica makes me cry...
• Fangtasia has a new sheriff and he isn't "the tall one" ahhhh I miss Eric at Fangtasia.
• Andy gets interesting but predicable news from Maurell. 
• Jason is now seeing "dead people" in the form of his parents.
• Sam, Luna and Emma are sweet together even with bars between them and Sam's fly eyes!!! Love it.
• Holly (Andy's girl) is now a midwife to his fairie baby mommy who settles him with a litter of babes.
• Eric, Nora,Tara, Jason, Sookie and Jessica are on a  mission and head to the Authority. 
• Bill drinks and get's all bloody...

I LOVE my True Blood and am completely Alcide obsessed. My 580+ personal friends on Facebook will attest to this because they must look at all my Alcide (Joe Manganiello) photo uploads. LOVE him. Oh and Eric...and Jason...this show has some great guy characters. Sexy and funny.

One of my favorite Joe Manganiello photos

Oh and this one...

If you don't watch True Blood, now is the time and I am sooooo jealous. You get to watch Season after Season to catch up. You won't be disappointed. There is so much to love.

My cable company and I are in talks so I can continue watching True Blood, I would be VERY upset without my guilty pleasure. So while I talk to them, I am checking out Connect Your Home to see if they can help me continue my favorite show and be able to afford all the packages I have grown use to having. My family loves our TV and need to make sure we can continue many of the programs we LOVE.

Let me know if you are watching this Season, I would love to know what you think.

I Am SO Loving My MitoQ - One of the Best Products For My Skin

Probably the best skin cream I have tried ever. I am loving it! 

1. Re-desnify skin to heal and prevent fine lines and wrinkles
2. Fade scars, brown spots and skin discoloration
3. Reduce blemishes with its lightening and brightening effects
4. Achieve radiant and hydrated skin within one day 
5. Achieve noticeable softer skin within three days
6. Achieve younger skin with less fine wrinkles and scars within 30 days

(shows up at 7:51 in this video)

 

The 411 by Maria: 

They say you get what you pay for and this is definitely a higher end product at least in my world. I can tell you that while this product isn't something you can find in the drug store, it is definitely worth it. Now I know what you are saying, there ha to be something compatible in my price range and and maybe there is, if you find it, let me know because again, I truly love this product. 

What I love about it:

It goes on beautifully. Smooth and absorbs into the skin quickly leaving zero feeling of having something on your skin.

I have not broken out with any pimples since I started it. Usually when I try a new product the first indication my skin needs to time get used to it is a pimple or two or even three. They are usually just small but there are there. NO PIMPLES at all. 

The main ingredient is CoQ10, a co-enzyme, a functional molecule present in every cell in the body. Co-enzymes are like catalysts that help enzymes perform their function effectively. CoQ is a perfectly designed molecule and is one of nature’s ultimate antioxidants. It is present in all cells in high levels when we are young but concentrations reduce steadily as we age. 

It reduces the lines of aging quickly. I think my skin feels better and looks better. 

Two to three pumps of the serum to your face and neck or even your cleavage and you are good to go. They say it takes 4 to 6 weeks for younger looking skin but I can tell you out of all the creams, moisturizers, serums, anti-aging products I have tried, MitoQ is amazing!!!!

A Turtle's Tale 2" Sammy's Escape From Paradise REVIEW

The 411 by Maria:

We loved the first one Sammy's Adventures.

Goddess and I were happy to see Sammy all grown up and his buddy Ray helping their hachling grandchildren including Ricky and Ellen from the nest to the sea. Sea Gulls galore are on a mission to catch as many hatchling as they can but but he and the turtles end up trapped on a boat until the turtles help one of the sea gulls escape. The boat takes the turtles to a beautiful underwater hotel where all kinds of sea life is living, trapped behind massive glass structures keeping them from their loved ones until Ricky, Ellen and some friends help them and everyone else escape. 

The movie definitely has a great message about family, friends, and working together.  I loved how squid, birds, turtles, sharks, etc all worked together for the sake of one mission making me think that we as people, could master much more if we worked toward one common goal.

The movie is extremely colorful and the animation is exquisite. Watch with your family!

Beauty Product Haul from Good Earth Beauty

This is my second post about products from Good Earth Beauty, the first being Caffeine Eye Cream. After three products reviewed Good Earth Beauty is definitely a shop I think about when thinking of beauty products especially now that I have found my favorite product of the season. My baby, the Bug Mist Natural Insect Repellent!

I am completely in love with this product and I am happy to report IT WORKS. I love in the woods. We have many, many bugs and they LOVE me. I am always eaten up and end up with big, ugly welts from all the bites. Not this year (knock on wood, don't want to jinx myself).

Bug Mist is the best bug repellent I have ever tried and that is no lie. I have shared it with about three different friends so far and they all love it as well.

During our 4th of July Fire Work demonstration I thought, this is the test. If I don't get bite up tonight this stuff is the BEST. It was about 88 degrees. We were at the lake and last year I was literally bitten all over my arms, legs and even one on my neck. NOT THIS YEAR.
 

I got some great pictures and the kids and I were never touched! Seriously, I am never buying another bug product and IT SMELLS great.

The second product from Good Earth Beauty is this Wheatberry Restorative Shampoo. . I love the smell, it reminds me of something from my childhood although I can't remember what. My Goddess on the other hand, does not like the smell and she is a girl who loves scents. Personally I love all the natural ingredients and how easy it is to get out of my hair. Now that I have to color so much, I tend to use more natural products on my hair. This is perfect!

Wraith - REVIEW

The 411 by Maria:

 This was a fantastic read. I love YA and this was a great, quick read.

Jane has a friend named Evan. She is the only one who can see him until the new boy Connor tells her that he can see him too.

He tells Jane that ghosts are here for a reason and that Evan needs her to do something for him so he can pass over.

Jane doesn't believe him until one day she can't deny it. Will she be able to help Evan without hurting herself?

OK...I seriously don't want to give anything away here. Who wants to know everything about a book before reading it. The only way to see if you like a book is by reading it. We are all different and my opinion about a book is only that, MY OPINION which is why I still call myself the Amateur Reviewer.

Angel Lawson writes a great paranormal story. Evan is a ghost but this isn't a scary book in the least. Even how Evan dies, is done in a why to add to the story rather than shock.

Connor and Jane's friendship/relationship is kept to a minimum and while there is physical abuse issues, that is also kept to a minimum without scary details.

Great YA book. I would say that someone as young as 14 could read.

I am looking forward to more books by Angel.