Published on Saturday, December 31, 2011 by caryn
With the start of the new year comes the decision we've been putting off for some time...the decision to purchase a new automobile. If our family grew by just one, we would have no choice but to invest in a minivan. But given the fact that we're the typical two child American family, there are a number of vehicle options that would meet our needs for comfort, perf... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 31, 2011 by caryn
As someone with a passion for the arts, I'm always intrigued by the intricate details that go into a live production. One of the most unique experiences to date was a private tour and walk through of the New Amsterdam Theatre, which is the current home of Mary Poppins on Broadway. Built in the early 1900's, the theater is the oldest venue on Broadway (along with... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 30, 2011 by caryn
I know that my husband and I don't get in nearly the time together that we want and need. Busy schedules, small children, and life just seem to get in the way. But like all relationships, togetherness, conversation, and a bit of laughter are the "fuel" necessary to sustain it.
Plum District currently has a deal that will get you two Fandango movie tickets and a... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 30, 2011 by caryn
Over the past few years, I've developed this incredible passion for photography. Since purchasing the iPhone earlier this year, I've come to rely on it's 5-megapixels camera for those brilliant, unexpected moments when my official camera is at home. Surprisingly, the iPhone camera takes some incredible photos...photos that I've actually used on this site because they ... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 30, 2011 by caryn
One week ago, the film inspired by the true story of a man who bought a zoo opened in theaters nationwide. We Bought A Zoo, the poignant, inspirational film that is capturing hearts across the country, was written by Aline Brosh Mckenna, the accomplished storyteller who's work includes The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses, and I Don't Know How She Does It. During my vis... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 30, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Cher@Mom and More. Congrats!
Who would have thought that having a child would be so disruptive to one's sleep? Even after four and a half years, I'm still struggling through nights of interrupted sleep. Fortunately, those interruptions are temporary!
Sleep is truly a complex physiologic process, ... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 29, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jennifer Marie. Congrats!
If you can believe it, I have yet to bake a holiday cookie this season! Shh! But the year is not over which means I still have time to get my bake on. Sugar cookies are a staple during this time of year, and while in and of themselves perfectly delectable, they can alwa... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by caryn
My closest friends and family know that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. If given the option, I'd choose breakfast for lunch or dinner each and every time. Pancakes, waffles, omelets...all foods I love along with my son. Unfortunately, because he suffers from food allergies, he can't eat any of them, along with a number of other breakfast foods. Having... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by caryn
After weeks of cooking and baking, I'm ready for a bit of a New Year's break! I LOVE this time of year because I get the opportunity to experiment with holiday flavors like peppermint, pumpkin, and gingerbread. And fortunately, stores like Fresh & Easy make it easy for me to enjoy my favorites without having to step foot into my kitchen.
[captio... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by caryn
If "Santa" didn't bring you everything you hoped for, or you simply want to take advantage of some amazing after-Christmas sales, check out Toty's amazing blowout specials going on now through the end of the year. Here are just some of the sales going on right now!
Junior jackets for $15
Women's shoes starting at just $3.50
Disney character accessories for ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by caryn
I find it incredibly ironic that I'm writing a post about leftovers, given the fact that in general, I don't enjoy food that was prepared and eaten the previous day. But for this very reason, I wanted to share some ways you can enjoy leftovers. Turkey is a holiday staple during this time of year. For the amount of time and effort it takes to prepare a whole turkey... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 26, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Aisha. Congrats!
Like most children I know, our kids could eat pasta every single day and not tire of it. Pasta is a staple in our household, and my "go-to" meal when I don't want to make something elaborate or it's time for a grocery run. By incorporating a low-fat protein, such as ground turkey brea... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 26, 2011 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_29401" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Photo Credit: jade007"][/caption]
After a weekend of sharing, conversing, eating, and relaxing, it's time for a post holiday clean-up. While I strive to "clean" while I'm prepping and cooking, I reserve the "deep clean" for after the guests have left. This also gives me an opportunity to start... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 24, 2011 by caryn
There are very few things that I "collect," however, for as long as I can remember, I've frequented The Disney Store each year at this time to infuse our holiday decor and celebrations with a little Disney magic. This year, we added two new ornaments to our collection...
This Mickey & Minnie Ornament Set is simple, elegant, and unique. Each ornament is designed... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
Earlier this week, I shared my plans for our Christmas meal. Along with a ham we received from Walmart, I'll be serving vegan apple and butternut squash soup, scalloped potatoes, salad, bread, and a prepared dessert. Easy! As opposed to Thanksgiving, where the hubby and I went all out, going so far as to make even the cranberry sauce from scratch, Sunday's meal ... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Margie, Patricia W C, and Angie. Congrats!
As much as I enjoy getting creative with my holiday meals, preparing and cooking for a large number of people can be time consuming, stressful, and costly. If you still haven't decided what you'll serve this Christmas, why not opt for a few semi-homemade di... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it" - We Bought a Zoo
What do you do when faced with tragedy? How do you persevere when life as you know it is irreversibly and permanently changed? For the Mee family, healing began in an... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Angie. Congrats
In the past few months, I've been experimenting more and more with spices. Spices can flavor foods in unique ways, very often allowing for at least some of the removal of salt and fats. During this season, where gingerbread and peppermint predominate, author Kim Ima, who wrote Th... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 22, 2011 by caryn
It was 1914 during the first World War...young men were eager to fight for their country. Technological advances resulted in some of the greatest losses of life, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in history. In the midst of the tragedy, stories of bravery, hope, friendship, and loyalty emerged. Stories like War Horse, set to debut in theaters nationwide this ... Read More »