This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OreoCookieBalls #CollectiveBias

Family holiday traditions are so important I remember after Ryan and I got married, we talked a lot about establishing traditions for our family because we were being pulled in so many directions from both of our families. I think we attended over 10 Christmas gatherings between our two families and a work and church party. It was nuts. It left very little time for our own Christmas celebrations, so we talked heavily about it that year and decided to make a list of traditions that we will make time for every year no matter what. These have become especially important since having our babies.

Christmas Traditions Every Family Should Have:

-Decorating the Christmas Tree together

-Driving around town to look at Christmas lights

-Seeing Santa Claus

-Baking Sweet Treats

Ingredients:
-1 pkg (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
-36 OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups)
-4 pkg. (4 oz. each) semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted (I used vanilla almond bark)

Optional Ingredients:
-1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
-Peppermint Sticks
Make it!
-MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.
-SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.
-CUSTOMIZE it with your own ingredient additions or decorative skills.
-REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Check out more delicious holiday OREO Cookie Ball recipes here!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheHoliday #CollectiveBias


The holiday season is such a special and fun time for families. It is so easy to get caught up in absolutely spoiling your children and loved ones this time of year, but I think it is very important to focus on other people and their needs as well. For some, the holiday may not be so warm and fuzzy and Hallmark movies and baking cookies to wrap up in your Rubbermaid TakeAlongs. It is a very painful time for many. 

I know several people who have lost children during the holidays, lost a parent, gone through a divorce, lost their job, etc. It can be a very tough time. To me, life is about focusing on other people more than ourselves. Yes, it is important to take care of ourselves first so we can care for ohers, but imagine how wonderful this world would be if everyone focused a little bit more of their time and energy on other people. 

A couple of weeks ago at my church, our song-leader challenged us to make someone’s day by doing a random act of kindness. My mom had actually talked to me about this very thing several days prior and we had already made up in our minds that we would do this in our town. Here are a few ways to brighten someone’s day and spread Christmas cheer this holiday season:


Pay for someone’s meal

Deliver a goodie basket

Pull up someone’s trash can

Visit an old people home

Take a meal to someone who is sick

Open a door

Let someone go before you in line

Write someone a hand written letter

Drop a $5 dollar bill on the sidewalk or a shopping mall… just because

Bake a sweet treat and deliver it to friends and family

This past week, I thought I would bake my grandma’s favorite “candy” which is technically her yummy chocolate covered peanut butter balls recipe. They are a family favorite and I can’t get enough of them. I love making her recipes and learning how to cook and bake like her because to me, she is the best. After I ran to Walmart to grab my ingredients and Rubbermaid TakeAlongs, I baked a batch of these delicious treats (and ate one), I placed them in pretty red and green Rubbermaid TakeAlongs and put a big bow on top. I delivered them to a family friend and a family member who is struggling this season. It definitely brightened their day and it really made me so happy!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
1 box powdered sugar
1 1/2 sticks of butter
Chocolate flavored almond bark

Directions:
Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer while you melt the almond bark. Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and dip them into the almond bark. Place them on wax paper to dry. They dry very quickly.

I absolutely love Rubbermaid TakeAlongs because they come in Holiday, red and green prints and are microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe! They also feature Quik Clik Seal™ technology that prevents spills and leaks when transporting food. Rubbermaid has been making their food storage containers for 80 years now, and they have really helped me make my holidays a little bit easier. I saved a couple of Rubbermaid TakeAlongs for myself so that I can have them on hand for holiday leftovers or if I get the urge to bake more treats for someone else.

Be sure to take advantage of Rubbermaid’s special Ibotta $1 Off Of Any 2 Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Products rebate offer exclusive to Walmart shoppers. 


What would you put in your Rubbermaid TakeAlong? How do you plan to help brighten someone’s day this holiday season?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinionsAtTarget #CollectiveBias

My son and nephew love the minions, so on Tuesday, I made sure to run to Target and buy the new Minions movie Blu-Ray/DVD pack and to my surprise, it came with a $5 Target gift card! Talk about a score. Happy son and happy mom. I call that a win-win! 

I also picked up a few supplies so that we could make a minion craft to get the boys excited for their movie night! They loved helping me make these cute little popsicle minions and I must admit, I loved it too. It was the perfect kid-friendly craft to get them in the mood for the movie and we had so much fun making memories. 

Here is all you need for this simple, fun Popsicle Minion Craft:

-popsicle sticks
-glue
-yellow and blue paint
-black permanent marker
-googly eyes (varied sizes)
-black cotton balls (for the hair)
-optional: Santa hats

I thought it would be fun to add little Santa hats to a couple of the minions since the boys are getting so excited for Christmas. They loved them!

Directions:

I prepped the popsicle sticks the night before so the paint would be good and dry by the time the boys got a hold of them. If you have older children who can handle paint, you can definitely let them do that part, but for my 2-year-old, I thought I’d better go ahead and paint them myself.

Once the paint is dry, glue the googly eyes on the popsicle stick and draw a smile and belt with your black marker. Then, you can glue hair or the Santa hat on, or leave it bald-headed. It is totally up to you! We made a mixture.

This craft is so simple and perfect to do with the kids, although I do recommend being present and helping younger kids. Target, once again delivered big time! I was able to pick up all of my craft supplies, Minions movie and even scored the gift card all in one stop! The metal Minions Blu-ray and DVD deluxe pack is a Target exclusive and includes 40 minutes of bonus content. While I was there, I also perused the toy section to get some Christmas ideas and noticed they had so many minion toys that were perfect for gifts for the kids! They also have all kinds of minion apparel, books, etc.

We ended the evening with popcorn and the movie which was adorable and hilarious! The boys loved it and I did too! It was such a fun day and I’m so thankful for the time we got to spend together as a family.

Have you purchased the new Minions movie at Target?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias


These days with young kids, my husband and I have very little time for date nights. While we have family around, they are really busy working and keeping other’s children and we feel bad asking most of the time. Sitters are few and far between and so we have to get creative when it comes to dating and keeping the flame alive.

Our marriage and relationship is very important to us and we make a point to keep it a priority. Dating your spouse is so healthy and so we try to do it as often as we can. We try to get the kids in bed around 7:30 every night and that is normally the time we get to have our uninterrupted date at home! Usually we choose to eat our dinner after we put the kids to bed and we watch a movie and cuddle on the couch. Here is how we make sure to have few interruptions:

– Make sure the kids are good and settled in their beds before we start our movie.


– We mix Emergen-C in our drinks every so often to ensure we have healthy days and nights. With over 20 varieties of vitamin supplement drink mixes, the possibilities are endless.


– We keep our Advil tablet vial on hand at all times so keep those annoying headaches away. Who wants to deal with aches and pains on a date? Not me! Nothing’s stronger, longer lasting or better on your tough aches and pains than Advil, and nothing works on more pains than Advil (among OTC pain relievers).


– I always have one (or five) ChapSticks on hand to keep my lips moist. Especially during the cooler months to prevent them from getting dry or chapped. My latest obsession is the ChapStick Total Hydration! The advanced nourishing formula is 100% natural, age defying and clinically proven to give you healthier looking lips.


– We turn our phones off or put them on silent so others don’t interrupt our limited quality time.

Usually when we take these steps, we end up having a great date night at home with few interruptions! 

What do you do for date nights at home? 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DailyRepairDifference #CollectiveBias


After I had my second baby back in May, I knew it was time to really get my health under control. I had developed bad eating habits again and had slacked off of exercise routine towards the end of my pregnancy and the few weeks following while I was instructed not to exercise. Because of this, I felt so gross and was really ready to get back to a more healthy lifestyle. I made a few simple changes that didn’t require a lot of work or time. Once I got into the habit of doing them regularly, they became a part of my every day life. Here are the steps I took to improve my overall health:

I exercise every day. Even if it is just a quick walk around the block, exercise helps me feel better mentally and physically which is a must for a busy mom of two young children. It also has improved my energy and mood which is an awesome bonus.

I take time for myself. Whether it is going to lunch with a friend or going on a Target run all alone, taking time for myself has definitely helped my stress level and helps me rejuvenate so I can be the best me for my kids.

Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated makes me feel good and gives me more energy which I desperately need on a daily basis to keep up with my kiddos. 


I eat at least one vegetable with every meal. Obviously, we still have our occasional pizza nights, but I have made a huge effort to add more vegetables and fruits – specifically apples and oranges – into my diet. By adding at least one to every meal, I have felt a lot better about my diet. Once you get used to eating in a more healthy way, it is hard to go back to eating greasy burgers and fries. At least it is for me because it tends to make me sick and not want those things anymore.

Take Care of Your Teeth. When I was provided samples of the New Colgate Total® Daily Repair™ toothpaste, I was eager to try it. This toothpaste helps prevent gingivitis and plaque build-up, remineralizes tooth enamel, fights bad breath and whitens teeth! What girl doesn’t want that? After all, the best fashion accessory a woman can wear is her smile and that smile needs to be healthy and beautiful. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

I shared how I’m getting healthier with the New Colgate Total® Daily Repair™ toothpaste! How are you getting healthy?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EffortlessPies #CollectiveBias


During the Holidays, I love to make holiday themed snacks and meals for my son. It’s something we both enjoy doing – making messes in the kitchen, getting our hands a little dirty, and eating! My only issue with this time of year is that most recipes are full of unhealthy ingredients. I like to try to find healthier alternatives when I can, especially for my son. When he eats a lot of sugar, he is a different kid. He starts acting crazy and wild and it normally ends in a tantrum. Because of this, I try to avoid giving him sugar as much as possible or at least limiting the amount he eats.

Pumpkin pies are a fall favorite of mine. I thought it would be fun to create mini pumpkin pies using Keebler® Ready Crust® Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crust, Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt, and Reddi Wip® from Walmart as a healthier version for my son as a special holiday themed snack.

Ingredients: 

Keebler® Ready Crust® Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt
Reddi Wip®
Cinnamon 

Directions:


Spoon the Dannon Oikos® Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt into the mini pie crusts. Top the pie with Reddi Wip® and a dash of cinnamon. 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TrickOrSweet #CollectiveBias


Halloween is a big holiday for my family. We usually throw a big Halloween party and it is always so much fun. I love seeing all of the creative costumes everyone comes up with. Halloween has always been associated with fall – my favorite season with fun memories. Between Trunk or Treat, picking out the perfect costume and the best Halloween candy in the store, I love every part of the hooplah!

Since my nephew was born, my family has attended our church’s trunk or treat! It has become a fun little family tradition that was made all the more special when my son was born. We took him to his first trunk or treat last Halloween and now this year, we will take our daughter as well! I’ve been planning their costumes since before SR was born and I am so excited about this particular year. While you will have to wait for their costumes, I will reveal how I prepare for our Trunk or Treat.

Trunk or Treat Tutorial:


1. Choose a theme.


2. Buy your candy! I ran out to Walmart to grab 2 large variety Hershey candy bags. I love having an assortment so that the kids can choose which kind of candy they want. My personal favorite? Milk chocolate Hershey’s bars and Reese’s! I love these bags because they are so festive with ghosts, jack-o-lanterns and dracula.

3. Find something to put candy in. Get creative with your candy display, after all, my candy brings all  the kids to the trunk, right?  


4. Decorate your trunk! Get as creative and festive as you want. Our church members go all out. Some people decorate the beds of their trucks, some bring haunting music, others keep it very simple and traditional. Sky’s the limit! 

As you can see, I used a lot of fall decor as well as Halloween. I love witches and skeletons and knew that I wanted to use them. The hanging ghosts and orange lights were a bonus. The ribbon garland is actually the garland I used for Hampton’s first birthday party last year. I mostly used things I already had plus a lot of my mom’s decor. She is a decorator and has more Halloween themed decorations than I do. 

Your trunk can be as easy or as complicated as you want it to be. The main points to focus on are coming up with a theme and making a great candy display to show off everyone’s favorite part of the holiday!

I’ve shared how I incorporate Hershey’s candy into my Halloween. What is your favorite Hershey’s candy? What theme would you choose for your trunk?

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveAmericanHome #CollectiveBias


Growing up, my mother always went all out decorating for every holiday, birthday and season. She loves to decorate and is so creative. I like to think I got a tiny bit of her talent, although I think my sister inherited most of it. When I think back on my childhood, I immediately think about the holidays. They have always been so special. I come from a big family. All of my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents get together for holidays/birthdays and other times throughout the year. We are so blessed to all have close relationships. This time of year makes me so nostalgic and all I can think is, I want my kids to have that.

I am determined to carry on the tradition of baking holiday treats, making crafts and decorating the house for the seasons. I want my children to have just as special childhood as I had. I want them to remember how much fun we have during the holidays and I want us to create traditions together. One tradition I grew up with was decorating the mantel. While my mother does the majority of the decorating, I always enjoyed “helping” – even if that meant handing her the scissors or holding the ladder. I love seeing several pieces come together to make a beautiful focal point. The end presentation is always so perfect, not because we have top of the line decorations, but because we created it together.

This past week, I decided it was time for my big fall mantel makeover. I went to Walmart and purchased a small pumpkin and American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand in “Shades of Fall,” “Fresh Apple” and “Pumpkin.” I loved the traditional fall colors of these candles, but most of all I loved their fragrances. They are heavenly. I have been burning them round the clock in our home. 

I also grabbed a few other decorations from around the house that I thought would be a good fit for my fall mantel. I grabbed an old window that I bought at a flea market a few years ago for $10, a DIY fall wreath that I made two years ago (and is still holding up great), a leafy candle ring, vase, a fall sign, a leaf banner that I scored on the dollar rack at a local department store and my new candles and pumpkin! 

I always like to play around with the heights. My mom taught me that having differing heights throughout your decor really helps the aesthetic and layout.  Here is how I created my mantel:

1. I put my window in the center of the mantel and attached the leaf banner to the top of it.


2. I placed my wreath off to one side of my window because I liked the way it looked more than when it was centered. It was almost too perfect that way. You can play around with it and see what suits you.


3. I placed two shorter objects off of the window – my pumpkin on one side and my American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand with the leafy candle ring around it. 


4. On the ends, I put taller items to keep with the differing heights. I put a vase I had laying around on one side with flowers and my fall sign on the other. If you don’t have a fall sign, think about printing a Fall print out and putting it in an 8×10 frame.

It was very simple but I love the way it looks in our home and my son is obsessed with the little pumpkin. I’m thinking the holidays are going to be really fun with him this year! I am so happy that my home is now holiday-ready for all of our entertaining and family.


I shared how I made over my mantel with American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand from Walmart. Now tell me how you prepare your home for Fall!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SchooledByBeauty #CollectiveBias

Mornings are always so busy around our house. Both of my babies are very awake when they decide to wake up – which is usually around 6:00 a.m. With me being in charge of diaper changes and breakfast in the mornings, I have to be awake and alert. I have a really simple morning routine that always helps me jump start my day. If I’m really lucky, I get to take a shower in the morning. Most of the time, however, I take mine at night right before bed. If that is the case, I head to the kitchen and make myself (and my husband) a cup of coffee. I am not a morning person. I don’t know if I ever will be. I definitely function better if it is later in the day. This reminds me so much of my college days. It is officially back-to-school time and I have been nostalgic and reflective on my time in school. It felt similar to how I feel now – running on little sleep.

What helped me through college and is helping me now as a new mother was a simple morning routine. After I enjoy some coffee, I head to the bathroom and wash my face with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Scrub Pink Grapefruit. My grandfather always taught me to wash my face every morning and every night before bed. He drilled that in my head and I will always remember that. I’ve done this for as long as I can remember. I then use Neutrogena’s Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne moisturizer to make my skin baby soft! I love soft skin and I am kind of a lotion hoarder. I put lotion on multiple times a day because it feels so good.

After cleaning and moisturizing, I then begin to apply a light layer of make-up starting with Neutrogena Skinclearing Mineral Powder. I love this product and have been using it for years. It is so affordable and great for your skin. My dermatologist actually recommended that I used this when I was a teenager and having problems with my skin. I have loved using it since. It is light and airy and offers the perfect amount of coverage without feeling like you’re wearing a mask. 

Now through September 9th you can purchase three Neutrogena facial products and get one free! You can also get 10% off all Neutrogena cosmetics when using Target’s Cartwheel app through August 29th!

Be sure to check out more Neutrogena beauty products here! Which would you like to try?