Fresno Friday-CREAM

On opening day I dragged my family to CREAM because I was so excited to try out their ice cream sandwiches.  We waited for awhile in the crazy hot heat and decided after barely moving to try another day.  We drove by a few days later and the line was still nuts.  It's in an area of town we don't frequent so we just got back on that side of town the other day to try it out.  There was a line but a normal line like a few minutes not a few hours.  Kevin and I were going nuts in line trying to narrow down our choices (yes we're that fat!).  We were so excited we could barely contain ourselves.  Luckily I got a sample of their pumpkin ice cream because it had a really strong spice that I didn't like.  I was pretty disappointed because if you know me you know who much I love pumpkin.  So I decided on Salted Caramel ice cream and Butter Sugar cookies.  First of all it was such a mess and secondly and most importantly it was terrible!  The cookies tasted like vegetable oil.  It was so bad I threw it away.  Again if you know me you know it has to be beyond terrible for me to throw away a dessert.  I am still disappointed days later in CREAM.  I will probably give them another shot and try another selection but my hopes are low.

WATCH My Segment from Central Valley Today

Thanks Central Valley Today for having me on today and thank you Alex for having fun with me!

WATCH the clip here

See previous post for Spook-tacular tips for a FANG-tastic Halloween.

Four Spook-tacular Tips for a FANG-tastic Halloween-Central Valley Today

Since it's Halloween week I wanted to share with you some ideas I will be presenting this afternoon on Central Valley Today to add some fun into your holiday.

I always craft during the holidays with my kiddos.  A great tool for crafting is the Ronco Food Dehydrator.  Typically you would use a dehydrator for drying garden herbs, making beef jerky and fruit leathers, or dehydrating unused fruit and veggies for later use in recipes.  But you can also use it to craft.  You can make a Paint Your Own Pumpkin craft with the Ronco Dehydrator.  Combine flour, salt, and water, knead, roll out, cut with cookie cutters, then place in dehydrator.  Once dry you can decorate them with acrylic paints.  It would also be great to make keepsake hand prints and footprints or Christmas ornaments.

More info at ronco.com and these are $69.99

To add some personality to your party grab some Spooky Specs.  These glasses transform ordinary points of light into magic bats, skulls, or Jack-o-Lanterns.  These would be fun to use at a party or give as a party favor.   They also have glasses for other holidays like Christmas. 

More info at holidayspecs.com and these are $8 each.

Another great addition to a party is a clothing item from Festified.  This Halloween sweater dress could be worn to a party or just to hand out candy.  Festified carries dresses, hats, leggings, scarves, and more.  They are available for several holidays including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Fourth of July.

More info at festified.com and these dresses are $39.99 each.

It wouldn't be the holidays without a sweet treat.  I LOVE pumpkin everything and Marlo's Bake Shop's Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Biscotti are no exception.  They are gourmet, all natural, and twice baked with a soft-baked texture.  

You can find more info at marlosbakeshop.com and these run $6.99 per box.

Check out the show (Central Valley Today) at 3 pm on KSEE 24.

A Twist on the LBD

What you say it's Fall?!?!  Not in California.  Since the weather is still gorgeous and warm over here I wanted to share with you a style twist.  BTW, for the record I'm loving this extended warm weather; I could do hot all year round.  I love cool weather for some cute outfits but only for about a week.

The Little Black Dress is a staple in a girl's closet but I love this twist of the LBD.  The black and white stripes just adds a bit more personality than the plain black dress.  I wanted to share with you how you can add variety to this simple look.  I love mixing patterns, accessories, and dressing it up or down.  In the following looks I chose to dress it down with a jean jacket and different scarves.  My favorite look from these different styling options is the stripe dress with the hounds tooth scarf.  Mixing patterns is one of my favorite trends right now.

Dress: Forever 21 / Jean Jacket: Gap / Statement Necklace: Target / Leopard Scarf: The Boutique Clovis / Hounds Tooth Scarf: Target / Cuff Bracelet: Tiffany / Link Bracelet: Target / Watch: Michele / Glasses: Ray Ban / Shoes: Macy's Jessica Simpson

Mommy Monday-Proud Mommy

My blog has really been lacking on Mommy Monday and my documentation of things my girls are doing and saying.  Today I'm wanting to get back to this because this is one of the most important parts of my blog; keeping a diary.  Emily's preschool teacher shared today that "Emily was given a gift from God to be kind and friendly to everyone. She never excludes anyone and her joy and enthusiasm is genuine."  She's told me several times in the past that Emily is the official class greeter.  Emily has the biggest heart I've ever seen and she's never met a stranger.  She's genuinely kind to everyone and meets everyone with a bear hug.  My heart explodes with happiness to hear such feedback.  I'm proud that we taught her kindness but we can't even come close to taking all of the credit.  Her teacher hit the nail on the head when she said God gave her a gift.  My wish is that she never loses this quality or her innocence.  I also hope that she can teach this kindness to others around her (including me)!  God bless you baby girl.

Supper Sunday- Zucchini Pizza Boats

Ingredients:

3 medium zucchini Pizza sauce or marinara saucePepperoniShredded MozzarellaGarlic Salt
Nonstick Spray
(You can add any other toppings you like)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.Slice each zucchini lengthwise into 2 strips.
Sprinkle with garlic salt.Lay the zucchini slices on the baking sheet.Spread the pizza sauce the length of the zucchini.
Cover with cheese.
Lay slices of pepperoni onto each slice.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes. 

Pam's Sprinkle-Ahoy It's a Boy

One of my best friends, Pam is expecting a baby boy in November.  Recently I helped throw a Sprinkle to shower Pam and Baby Tucker with lots of love.  I can't wait to meet this little boy and hold him.  I also know his mama is ready to get him out/be done with pregnancy!  It was an honor to help with the sprinkle.  Some of Pam's best friends and I did a dessert bar along with mimosas and wine with a nautical theme.  After some chit chatting and eating way too many sweets we played a game and opened gifts.  It was a great afternoon with girlfriends and sprinkling Pammy with love.

I made this diaper cake with diapers, receiving blankets, ribbon, washcloth, and wooden anchor.

OriginaliTee Too

I just love a graphic tee!!!  They are casual and comfy but totally cute for all your daily activities.  Not only are they cute I love the personality and style they add to your outfit.  I was very excited to partner with Hanna of OriginaliTee Too because this is one of the best graphic tees I've seen.  It reads, "Not "just" a mom."  I loved this for me because I think it applies in several ways.  First of all, I never like to think that stay at home moms feel like the are "just" a mom.  It is the hardest job in the world.  A stay at home mom may not earn an income but she is working just as hard as a working mom.  I thought this also applied to me in a different way because I am a hybrid stay at home mom and working mom.  As a Realtor I work from home a lot of the time but I also have a full time job and earn an income.  So this tee meant for me that I'm not "just" a stay at home mom but also a career woman.  Lastly, I loved the idea of this tee because I'm not just a mom; I'm a taxi cab driver, a consulor, a butt wiper, a chef, a booger picker, a jungle gym, and lap to cry on, a snuggle buddy, a friend, and list goes on and on.  OriginaliTee Too makes several edgy yet inspirational graphic tees and tote bags.  You've got to check out Hanna's shop because it is just so fun!  Thank you OriginaliTee Too for working with me.

Photo adapted from OriginaliTee Too

Connect:

Follow Originalitee on Facebook and Instagram 

Shop:

Check out all their fabulous finds on their Etsy site.

The following photos are adapted from OriginaliTee Too:

Meet:
1. About me - I'm a Christian, wife, mom to two daughters, friend, crafter and lots more. I love to enjoy life. I love being around and inspired by positive people. I like being silly and just being me. I love to create beauty, whether it is through fashion, home décor, party planning, etc. I love pretty things!

2. My company - One day I realized that being crafty could become a business. I have always stayed home with my children while my husband worked outside the home. So starting a business at home was not only fun and a way for me to be me, but also a way to bring in some additional income. I started a few years ago when my girls were younger making hair bows and embroidering clothing. Now that they are older, I'm focusing more on the things that I love and wear.

3. Lesson in business - I guess the greatest lesson for me is to never give up. Sure, change things up, but don't give up! I haven't made it to the level of success that I would love to have but I'm still working at it. It's been a struggle for me to get my items in front of the right people. At first I would criticize myself, but after a while, I realized that it's all about finding the people who are looking for what you've got!

4. Best tip - Besides not giving up, I guess the thing I value the most as an online business is great photography. If customers can't see and feel the item for themselves, they need to see how someone else can style it and make it awesome for them. It gives inspiration as to how you can make it look great for you!

5. Normal day - My normal day looks like this ... taking my girls to school, gym, errands, shower, creating, social media time ('cause you know everyone does it!), picking my girls up from school, snacks, homework, dinner, tv with my hubby, bed. Phew! Then one day a week during the weekdays includes my women's connect group, Wednesday night youth service, and volunteering at school.

6. Inspired by - I am inspired by people like Lysa Terkheurst who are comfortable enough with themselves to be who they are and be positive, encouraging, and transparent. I value openness and honesty. I'll admit that I don't have it all together and I love it when other people will too because then we can all grow and learn from each other.

Fresno Friday-The Big Fresno Fair

You must live under a rock if you live in Fresno and don't go to The Big Fresno Fair.  We go every year and love our tradition.  There is tons of yummy junk food to eat (fried anything!), lots of rides and games, great concerts, endless vendors to browse, and my favorite the horse races and the drinks that go along with the race experience.

While I was out of town last week Kevin took Emily to the fair for dinner and for rides.  They had a great time according to Miss Em.

After I returned home the four of us went as a family.  Again we went for dinner and rides.  We met up with the Serpa's and had lots of fun.  Thank you for treating us!

On the last day of the fair I went with Gina to the horse races.  I usually go the first Friday of the races but I was out of town.  It wasn't quite the same going the last day as it is going opening day but we still had fun.  I made two different bets one for $10 and one for $3.  I lost both times and since I'm such a big spender that was my limit!!!!  Thank you again Gina for taking me on Sunday.

Oddly enough Emily had the same outfit one week apart, lol

It was National Dessert Day and so I had to try this Pumpkin Chiffon.  It was pretty darn good!!!

Emily asked Kevin when they went to the fair for this Elsa doll.  He didn't get it for her and she sure didn't forget about it when we went back as a family.  She asked the whole night so on our way out we got her the Elsa doll.  She loves it very much!