Mariel’s Summer Picks 2013 ~ Gift Ideas for Women
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Mariel’s Summer Picks 2013 ~ Gift Ideas for Women

ByMariel

I can only go so long without sharing my favorite things. It’s almost painful for me to hold them inside. So, please allow me some relief, while I share some of my favorite things for summer…

Okay, so first I’m a super whitey AND I don’t want to ruin my skin. So, I’m all over a nice fake tanning lotion. A nice one. Non-orange, non-splotchy, and non-stinky…a tough combo to find. But, I think I found it. I am currently in love with my new fake tanning lotion. It’s called Fake Bake Flawless. After reading the great reviews on Amazon, I had to try it (of course), and I’m pretty darn pleased. It’s a lot cheaper than the Xen Tan that I was using before, which was like $30 bucks, or something. This is about $15, if you get it from Amazon. Anyway, so I love that it’s a spray liquid…not a cream. It can be rubbed around lots quicker and the color is a brown shade. No orange here! I even got compliments on my tan legs…in May. That’s a little unusual for Utah, but I took it. It’s almost June, it could be natural!

Ranch Snack Mix
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Ranch Snack Mix

ByMariel

My little Joey is always asking to help in the kitchen. But, he is quickly run over by several older siblings who insist that they get to help too. So, yesterday while all the wild ones were out on the trampoline, I snagged Joey and he helped me mix up this super easy snack. So easy that a two year old can make it!

We just called it Ranch Snack Mix. It’s a blend of all things kids love… pretzels, Bugles, Goldfish crackers, cashews, and Ranch dressing mix.

Paint Tools That Will Change Your Life & PaintStick Giveaway (she: Rebecca)

Paint Tools That Will Change Your Life & PaintStick Giveaway (she: Rebecca)

ByRebecca

I hate painting, always have! I hate the preparation, execution and clean up that come with painting. However, I love how a room can be transformed by a simple coat of paint.

I was lucky enough to buy a home that was mostly painted with bold colors I probably wouldn’t have chosen myself (because I’m a wimp), but that I love! I say mostly painted because the kids’ bedrooms and bathroom were painted white with that awful paint that builders use. I managed to slap some color on the kids’ rooms years ago, but the bathroom has remained white and boring. That is until last week!

Patriotic Picture Frame_createandbabble.com
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Patriotic Painted Picture Frame {with a printable} (she: Jeanie)

Byjeanie

Have you seen these cute wooden frames at Michaels? I spotted them the other day as I was headed to the check-out line. What caught my eye was the price: $1. Yes, one dollar! I grabbed a couple. My crafty mind was spinning thinking of all the ways I could decorate and use these frames: paint, vinyl, stickers, mod podge, washi tape….. Now I have to go back for more!

Since today is Memorial Day, I wanted to make a patriotic frame…

Peanut Butter Oreo Mud Bars (she: Cathy)
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Peanut Butter Oreo Mud Bars (she: Cathy)

Bycathy

Peanut butter and chocolate…together again in these rich, decadent mud bars! Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, these bars are perfect for all your summer gatherings! Hi, everyone! I’m so happy to be back here with all of you today, right before the start of summer break! What is it about summertime that brings people together?…

Sewing Station Organization (she: Lisa)
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Sewing Station Organization (she: Lisa)

ByMariel

I recently moved into this really cool loft apartment and I’m now looking for all kinds of fun ideas on how to make my workspace prettier and organize my slightly chaotic sewing station (yes I have to admit it, there is yarn everywhere, spools of thread just leisurely laying around or crammed into their little boxes and all other essentials are probably in another box somewhere in that box chaos).

I love for my workspace to be a place of inspiration and not just a nice collection of small boxes so I came up with an easy solution for sewing station chaos and created a fun make over. It’s simple and easy, a quick DIY.

Educational BINGO ~ The Kids BEG to Play!
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Educational BINGO ~ The Kids BEG to Play!

ByMariel

I know school is almost over for most of you, and although I intended this activity to be for homeschool, I can see us playing it all year long. It’s nothing fancy, just BINGO…awesome BINGO. I’ve always got my eye out for really great educational products for kids, and while browsing the daily Zulily deals, I saw these really neat BINGO sets for half off. They’re from Lucy Hammett Games and each set is based around a certain theme, like: birds, weather, wildflowers, oceans, body, butterfly, art, and soooo many more! You play it like you would any other BINGO game, but the kids are actually learning with these. Yay! Not only can they learn from the pictures alone, but on the back of each card is a little description/facts about what is on front.

The first time we played, we used jelly beans as the markers. Mistake. Nobody could keep them on the board and out of their mouths!

The Humble Chair ~ Building Kid’s Self-Esteem (she: Veronica)
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The Humble Chair ~ Building Kid’s Self-Esteem (she: Veronica)

ByVeronica

Recently, we’ve had some kids struggle with a few different things. They haven’t been major things, but to THEM, they have felt HUGE. I’ve watched as these struggles have worn away at their self worth. I started looking at each of my children and realized that there are many things that tend to whittle away at their feelings of worth and value. So, I decided it was time to do “The Humble Chair”.

WHAT is the “Humble Chair”?

It’s a simple activity that allows you to focus on building someone up.

Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes by www.whatscookingwithruthie.com
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Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes (she: Ruthie)

Byruthie

Hi again… it’s Ruthie from Whats Cooking with Ruthie and I’m so glad to be here again to share another fabulous recipe with you! I just started back to College last week- yes, I know that’s pretty brave, but I love it so far and I’m really looking forward to starting Culinary School this fall 🙂 Anyways, with a hectic schedule comes the need for some good tasting Crock Pot meals that are ready when we all walk in the door. This recipe for Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes is perfect, just for that!

Chocolate Raspberry Ricotta Muffins (she: Kate)
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Chocolate Raspberry Ricotta Muffins (she: Kate)

Bykate

Every year, I get so excited when the summer fruit starts to come in. There isn’t much that’s better than fresh berries. Except for fresh berries and chocolate. For breakfast. And the best part is that they have no butter or oil in them (so please don’t use fat-free ricotta, or you’ll end up with tough little muffins).