Archive for May, 2012

Amy’s Notebook 05.30.12

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

Welcome to my little notebook of ideas to help improve your life. This is a collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. I hope you will enjoy this weekly does of loveliness with beautiful links that are individually handpicked just for you!

I am madly in love with this watercolor cake bunting (@ Studio DIY)

This hand print tree would be a cute gift for Father’s Day (@ The Crafting Chicks)

This idea for restyling your router is absolutely adorable! (@ anamu)

I am inspired to try to create my own DIY mint jeans (@ Love Stitched)

This sewing tip for preventing knit fabrics from wavy seams is so smart (@ Me Sew Crazy)

These funfetti cookies look like a fun treat (@ Tasty Kitchen)

I am in love with this maze of birthday streamers for celebrating birthdays in a fun way (@ Dine & Dish)

I want to try this tzatziki potato salad for a fun new summer side (@ Smitten Kitchen)

This summer spaghetti looks like a delicious & healthy weeknight meal (@ Little Miss Momma)

I love this tip for extending the life of your manicure with glitter tips (@ chic steals)

This pop of sunshine on the foyer wall makes my heart happy (@ a pop of pretty)

I am inspired to make a few of my own DIY canvas prints (@ How Does She?)

My kids would love making these American flag marshmallow pops (@ Living Locurto)

These strawberry wine coolers look like a refreshing drink for the summer (@ Annie’s Eats)

I want to try this Oreo Hot Fudge for sundae topping this summer (@ the kitchn)

 

 

Review: Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner (Video)

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

(on set at Lunchbox Studios)

 

It is rare that I do very many reviews on this blog, but I had the unique opportunity to try Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner for a week and head to LA to share my experience with the product before it went out on the store shelves.

In full disclosure, I have perhaps the driest hair in the world with lots of frizz. I am one of those girls that jumps from product to product hoping to find a magical cure that will give me sleek and shiny hair. I had doubts that I would ever find a shampoo that would help, but after 7 days with this shampoo and conditioner, I am a believer that a good shampoo and conditioner can make all the difference.

The unique thing about this is the idea of nourishing your scalp first. Traditionally, we have always been taught to ignore our scalp and focus on the ends of our hair. I have a very dry and flaky scalp, but worried that if I did apply conditioner to my scalp that it would weigh down my hair and cause me to have an root. With this product, you are instructed to nourish your scalp and concentrate your efforts on restoring the nourishment to the scalp instead of ignoring it. Surprisingly, I am no longer suffering from a flaky scalp and the product has not weighed down my hair at all.

How fun and glamorous to get to go and share your thoughts about the products you use on camera. It really was a blast! Here is a quick 30 second clip from the shoot.

You can see this clip plus some others now as in-store programming in Walmart Stores across the nation.  You can also see some different clips from myself as well as my other fellow Walmart Moms-  Colleen, Erika, Caryn, and Christine on the Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy landing page on Walmart.com. (Scroll all the way to the bottom then click that bottom picture of my beautiful friend, Erika, on the right)

I am still using the product and doubt that I will be switching. The difference is noticeable to me and has made me feel more confident. I think you would really love it too!

I also thought you might enjoy seeing this capture of me behind-the-scenes. I was happily plugging away at my knitting and working on another chemo cap for a friend while I waited my turn to get my hair & make-up done.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as a part of my role in the Walmart Moms program. I received product and was paid for my time in Los Angeles shooting the video. However, all opinions are, always have been, and always will be 100% my own.

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An Apron Full of Giveaways 05.29.12

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Able, $28

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we aren’t giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Please let me know if you have any questions and good luck to each of you!

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Amy’s Notebook 05.23.12

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

Welcome to my little notebook of ideas to help improve your life. This is a collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. I hope you will enjoy this weekly does of loveliness with beautiful links that are individually handpicked just for you!

 

I love this cute graduation soda topper for a simple & easy grad gift (@ the letter 4)

This “you are APPreciated gift,” is a cute end-of-year teacher gift (@ eighteen25)

This grandfather clock makeover is so cute! (@ trash to treasure)

I love this greenhouse made out of a trampoline (@ How Does She?)

I love the idea of adding washi tape to a drum shade for decorating (@ it all started with paint)

I love this DIY constellation jar (@ Design Mom)

I am bookmarking these dairy-free summer treats to create in our kitchen (@ the kitchn)

These wind-up paper butterflies would be such a cute craft to do with the kids (@ You are My Fave)

I want to try these slow cooker shredded pork tacos (@ Confections of a Foodie Bride)

These pancake pops would make a cute breakfast treat (@ tatertots & jello)

These knitted golf club covers would make a cute Father’s Day gift (@ The Purl Bee)

I can’t wait to make this kindergarten graduation sign for my daughter (@ Paging Supermom)

This mango rice looks like a fun summer side (@ Eclectic Mom)

My kids will absolutely love this Olive Us series for kids created by Design Mom (@ Olive Us)

These DIY fruit balloons would be so cute for a summer party (@ Oh Happy Day)

Father’s Day Craft: DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars

I am so excited to share with you a fun craft today that you can do to spoil the dads in your life this year for Father’s Day. Today I am showcasing this EASY DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jar that you can create using some inexpensive supplies and fill with your dad’s favorite treat.

Before I get started, I want you to know that crafting is not easy for me. I really do think I was born lacking a natural crafting gene. I actually did this craft twice and failed at it the first time. I made a huge craftastrophe in my kitchen, dripped paint all over the place, and was about to give up. This craft took me THREE trips to the store and an entire day to execute. Once I figured out the best way to do it though, I felt like a craft rock star and tackled this project in less than an hour with amazing results. I just think it is nice to hear the behind-the-scenes stuff once in awhile. I have complete confidence that with this tutorial you are going to get to enjoy all of the rock star status without the drippy paint all over your kitchen.

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie JarsLet’s get started with our picture of supplies and the (approximate) cost of the materials for you to recreate this craft.

For this craft you will need (all found at Walmart):

1 Gallon Cookie Jar (over by the jars in the kitchen section)- $7.44

Krylon Chalkboard Spray Paint (in the home improvement section)- $3.97

Avery Removable Wall & Window Signage Sheets (over by the office supplies)- $9.97 for 5 sheets

16 count chalk (in office supplies)- $.47

Scissors (in your craft supplies)

1 sheet of heavy cardstock (in your craft supplies)

 

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars

First, pull out your Avery Sheets. These are probably among the most awesome find EVER for creating labels and signs. My brain is buzzing with the possibilities for these. Focus, Amy, focus…

For this craft, we are going to use the Wall Application Side for spraying with chalkboard spray paint. This is the side that has the sticky side that is removable and adjustable… perfect for people who can never get anything on their projects perfectly straight.

In a well-ventilated area covered with newspaper or cardboard, place your Avery sheet. Shake the can vigorously for two minutes. Hold can 10-14 inches away from your project and begin spraying. Spray a thin coat in a sweeping motion beginning off the surface and continuing off the other side. Follow this pattern horizontally and then vertically. Wait fifteen minutes or so and then apply another coat.  They should be dry and ready to cut in about an hour.

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie JarsPrint out my FREE Chalkboard Conversation Bubble template on some heavy-duty cardstock. Use this template to cut out your chalkboard conversation bubbles. You should be able to get two labels from each sheet with this size label.

 DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie JarsWrite your chalk message on the conversation bubble and then adhere the message to your cookie jar. These Avery sheets are sticky, but do not leave a residue or tear. They are heavy-duty so if Dad wants to peel it off and give the jar a good wash, he can and then place the label back on.

I filled my jars with Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Sea Salt Cookies for each of my dads. I can’t wait to give these them and I especially love that this craft cost about $10 in supplies for each one. Not too shabby!

Grab your free conversation bubble template HERE

I am a part of the Walmart Moms program, and Walmart has provided me with compensation for these posts. My participation is voluntary and opinions are always my own.

 

Looking for more Father’s Day gift ideas? Be sure to check out my Power Pack for Your Superhero Dad and my idea for an Easy Movie Gift Basket for a special dad in your life!

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Cookies

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

If you have been a reader to this blog for awhile, you know that there is nothing I love more than sweet and salty combined together. If you put the words chocolate and sea salt in a recipe together, you can guarantee that I will love and worship the recipe.

For Father’s Day, I wanted to make a fun new treat for the dad’s in my life and knew that these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Sea Salt cookies would make an incredible treat. These offer the perfect balance in flavors. There is a lot of heartiness from the old-fashioned oatmeal in these, sweetness from tiny bits of mini chocolate chips sprinkled throughout and then a modest sprinkling of salt on the top of each of these cookies, brings all the flavors to a delicious sweet & salty finish.

I will admit that I am no pro when it comes to cookie making. I have found the two key things needed for me to succeed with cookies though is to always line my cookie sheets with parchment paper and to use a cookie scoop to get cookies that cook evenly and that are uniform.

I am always rushed when it comes to activities surrounding the holidays so I went ahead and baked these up this week for Father’s Day and placed them in my freezer for the big day. Simply follow the instructions and bake these cookies and allow them to cool completely on a cooling rack. Layer them in a freezer-safe container between sheets of waxed paper, and place them in the freezer until the night before.

If you are looking for other sweet & salty delights, be sure to give my Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Brownies a whirl or sip on my Starbucks knock-off Salted Caramel Mocha for a midday treat.  They are just as delightful and a whole lot more sinful!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Cookies
Author: Adapted from Weelicious.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3 dozen
A little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and perfectly chewy. These cookies are foolproof and a hit wherever we go!
Ingredients
  • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 3 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
  • 2 Cups Semisweet Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Sea Salt Flakes or Kosher Salt (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Using a standing or hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
  4. Stir the flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl.
  5. Slowly add the flour to the butter/sugar mixture until combined.
  6. Stir in oats and chocolate chips mixing well until combined.
  7. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment lined cookie sheet.
  8. Press down each cookie and top with a few flakes of sea salt.
  9. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Cool and serve.

Recipe adapted from Weelicious.

Looking for a fun way to package these for Father’s Day? I have you covered! Visit my next blog post on how to create your own DIY Chalkboard Conversation Bubble Cookie Jars today!

What is your favorite cookie?


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An Apron Full of Giveaways 05.22.12

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Dot’s Diner, $82

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we aren’t giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Please let me know if you have any questions and good luck to each of you!

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Great Gifts to Give Teachers From Goodwill

Friday, May 18th, 2012

The end of the school year is upon us and if you missed showering your teacher with gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, I have some fun gift options for a final thank you for all the hard work your teacher has put in this year.

You may not think of Goodwill as a spot for accessorizing your teacher gifts, but I am showing you how to dress up thrift store items to create beautiful gifts for your teachers.

What is one gift you love to create with thrifty supplies for your teachers?

We would love to hear your ideas!

 

Frame a Fun Printable

Frame a fun free printable for your teacher.

I love to hunt for these inexpensive frames and then give them a fresh new look with a coat of spray paint.

I made these, “Raise Your Hand if You Mustache a Question,” printables for our teachers for the holidays and they loved them with spray painted red frames.

They coordinate perfectly with a white mug adorned with a painted mustache.

 

I also really love this fabulous printable and clipboard from eighteen25 that reminds the class to listen to their teachers.

What teacher would not love that?

Create a Pretty Pin

This year I have become obsessed with making cute pins and have found a way to incorporate these pins on everything from bags to belts to jewelry.

Teachers will love these fun accessories and it is an easy way to say thank you without spending a lot.

Pins can be created from recycled t-shirts

or you can create elegant roses from a felted sweater

or use fabric from a cute shirt you can snag on their sale rack.

 

Bake a Treat

One gift that I think says I truly appreciate you is spending time in the kitchen baking something special for someone you love.

Find cute tins, plates, or even give them right in the baking pans.

The best part about packaging these delicious treats with thrifty packaging is that you don’t have to worry about getting your dishes returned back to you.

I highly recommend these Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Brownies for a treat that will knock your teacher’s socks off!

Just be prepared to have to share the recipe once they have tried them.

 

 

Give a Gift of Pampering

If there is one thing that you can find at Goodwill, it is a plethora of mason jars that can be used for all of your craft projects.

Consider giving your teacher a gift to pamper herself and packaging it in a mason jar and attach a spoon.

Mix up some easy bath salts or a hand scrub that she can use to treat herself.

 

Teacher School Supplies Cake :: MomAdvice.com

 

 

Give Them Something They Can Use

This year I decided to give our teachers a fun teacher supplies cake that I made with school materials I knew they might be missing in their classrooms.

Check the office supplies at your local thrift to see if you can find items you can weave into a school supplies cake for your teacher.

You will often find great folders, binders, and new office supplies that could easily create tiers for a cute school supplies cake to replenish their supplies for next year.

Simply configure your supplies and stack them on top of each other, securing with a little packing tape to hold everything together.

Half of the fun in this craft is in the creating of your cake.

Adorn it with a little ribbon and a picture of your child with a thoughtful message of thanks.

 

What is one gift you love to create with Goodwill supplies for your teachers?

We would love to hear your ideas!

This post contains affiliate links

 

Don’t miss these other great ideas from MomAdvice.com:

 

Teacher Gift Ideas

 

Oreo Biscotti Gifts

 

Mojito Bath Salts

 

Quick & Easy DIY Mother's Day gift ideas

Quick & Easy Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

 

3 Ways to Take the Hassle our of School Lunches

3 Ways to Take the Hassle Out of Packing School Lunch

 

 

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Amy’s Notebook 05.16.12

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Welcome to my little notebook of ideas to help improve your life. This is a collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. I hope you will enjoy this weekly does of loveliness with beautiful links that are individually handpicked just for you!

 

I am dying to stencil a table after seeing this tutorial (@ Domestic Imperfection)

I love this idea for throwing a neighborhood popcorn & movie party (@ The Crafting Chicks)

I love this font decorated paper lantern (@ The Swell Life)

My daughter would flip for these high heeled cupcakes (@ How Does She?)

I love this upcycled maxi dress turned into a maxi skirt (@ make it and love it)

These washi tape gift tags are adorable (@ NoBiggie)

These graduate silhouettes would be great for making a graduation gift (@ Just Something I Made)

I am in love with these burlap bags for dressing up a mason jar (@ Two Shades of Pink)

I am madly in love with this chevron wall (@ Design Sponge)

These Avengers bookmarks would be a cute craft to do with my son (@ Crafts by Amanda)

I want to make some of these utility cord bangles (@ Blog A La Cart)

I want to make a succulent terrarium (@ Thrifty Decor Chick)

These lemon mint juleps look refreshing! (@ shutterbean)

Love the links? Follow me on Pinterest and get more ideas for DIY food, craft, & home projects for a small budget.

It’s Another 100 Days of Summer Pinterest Board!!!

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

I had the best time last summer creating our very first 100 days of summer activities board for our family to do and share with you. We had over 6,000 followers to that board and heard from many of you that the board inspired you to tackle fun projects with your kids.

Since that time I have been getting emails and comments requesting that we do another 100 days of summer list with you again! How could we turn away your cries of longing for cool stuff to do with your kids, sweet treats to share with them, and great craftiness on a dime?

I am so excited to share with you the 100 days of summer (’12) edition where you can get another amazing round-up of 100 ideas to inspire your summer bucket list. As I was gathering these ideas, I began to get more and more excited about the summer ahead and what we could do together.

This list has everything from making homemade butterbeer drinks for those Harry Potter enthusiasts, to making homemade shrinky dinks, to getting back to the basics with great dinner discussions with great family conversation starters.

There is something for everyone on here- boys and girls of all ages and craft levels. The best part is that they are ALL budget-friendly and will cost you very little in supplies.

I am looking forward to tackling our own summer list and will be documenting our projects through mobile pictures.You can catch me on Instagram, fellow iPhone and Droid users, where I am documenting our summer.  Just search for the username momadvice. Just as a side note, I try to always answer all the comments on my pictures if I can. If you have questions about projects we are doing or just want to say hello, I will do my best to respond! 

I still will be sharing our apron full of giveaways and our notebook of inspiration each week. I will also have fresh content through my freelance writing jobs with Snackpicks, Kenmore, Goodwill, Glad, & Walmart that will keep our site fully loaded with great ideas for your summer. Best of all, a weekly meal planner will be available to you to help you plan your summer menus.

On Tuesdays though, I will be sharing what we are working on from our summer list through mobile pictures and quick notes on what fun activities we are doing at our house. I am hoping it will be an inspiration to you to get out and enjoy the summer with your children. I can’t say we will tackle a hundred activities, but I will be awfully proud if we do one cool activity a week.

I hope you will enjoy our laid-back inspiration this summer!  I want to enjoy every moment I have with these two kids- my time with them is so fleeting and precious to me. I plan to soak up every moment with them that I can.

Cheers to an amazing summer with your families!

If you’d like, you can follow all of my Pinterest Boards here!

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