Published on Monday, February 20, 2012 by caryn
Over the weekend, we spent some time at Toys R Us perusing thousands of toys in search of the perfect one (at least for the moment). Both sets of grandparents pitched in to allow my children to pick out a Valentine's Day "treat" and since we'd prefer that the "treat" not be something sugar-aden, we agreed that each of them could pick out something within the confine... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 20, 2012 by caryn
A girl can never have too many shoes...especially if those shoes are stylish and versatile enough to be worn over multiple seasons. They are my favorite accessory, and while I don't think I could have too many shoes, my husband is a bit more practical. Fortunately, our seasons are mild enough that I don't require an entire winter-dedicated wardrobe with the shoes to... Read More »
Published on Saturday, February 18, 2012 by caryn
Even my 2 year old daughter has taken to the Power Rangers...almost! At least from afar.
The hit children's action series recently launched a brand new video game for Nintendo's Wii and DS gaming systems and debuts a brand new season today, February 18th, 2012. The show, which is one of my son's favorites, follows a team of young people who have been recruited ... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 17, 2012 by caryn
It goes without saying that becoming a parent is one of the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done. I don't take this responsibility lightly, and am very cognizant of how I'm influencing my children...intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually.
"Once you have a child, it changes your world view forever," stated Will Arnett who voices Pod, th... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 16, 2012 by caryn
It's a genre of film I'm unfamiliar with...a rarity for a film buff who's watched hundreds thousands of films. Anime (aka Japanese animation), originated in the early 20th century and surprisingly, Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had some influence on Japanese animators and their work.
This Friday, February 17th, Walt Disney Pictures will release The S... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 16, 2012 by caryn
If you love Italian food as much as my children do, you'll be excited to learn that Italian Days is back at Publix! Last year, I shared information about this two-week event, which will feature recipes, savings, and opportunities to win one of 500 Publix Gift Cards.
We don't have a Publix store in our area, however, my in-laws do and our bi-annual visits often in... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
It's a chilly 50 degrees here in rainy Southern California, reminding me that we're still right in the midst of winter. Despite my longing to lounge around in PJs and drink hot tea all day, things have to get done...things that involve going out...in the rain!
Because our weather is so temperate, I don't really have a lot of winter wardrobe options. On days lik... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
I freely admit that I am looking forward to that glorious day when I toss the very last diaper from this house! It's not that I don't enjoy having babies. In fact, I'm seriously going to miss the baby stage...just not the diaper part of that stage!
One of our biggest expenses is diapers, wipes, creams, and other baby essentials. I cut coupons, comparison shop... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by caryn
Happy Valentine's Day! Today I took my sweet kids to their preschool for a special Friendship party, made them comfort food for lunch, since it was cold here in Southern California, and oversaw their card-decorating. We rounded out the evening with this delicious Vegan Apple Spice Cake, made with Pinata apples.
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking p... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by caryn
Life is a series of moments captured in time in our mind.UnknownOne of the only ways to describe the past year is bittersweet. I haven't talked a lot about it, but the year was filled with a number of changes, challenges, blessings, opportunities, extreme joy and tremendous sorrow. It's the year where I finally realized my dream of staying home with my children...th... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by caryn
As a mom to two small children, I am very discerning about the media they are exposed to. Any television shows/series or films they watch have been pre-screened by either my husband or myself. As parents, we prefer to offer our children a variety of diverse experiences that help them learn about the world around them. Sometimes we judiciously utilize media on ... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 13, 2012 by caryn
Yo Ho Ho! Have you heard? Peter Pan will return to Never Land this Monday in his first appearance on the hit Disney Junior series Jake and the Never Land Pirates. My kids are devoted fans of the show and we're counting down the days until Season 2 debuts on February 20th!
We recently headed over to Walt Disney Studios to preview the upcoming prime time specia... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 12, 2012 by caryn
Last weekend, I perused Beverly Hills with some of the bloggers flown in to LA for a press junket and screening of the soon-to-be released film The Lorax. As we walked up and down Rodeo Drive, I admired the very expensive jewelry and thought about how long it had been since I received or purchased jewelry for myself. I love the feminine touch a pair of earrings, nec... Read More »
Published on Saturday, February 11, 2012 by caryn
Having grown up in Southern California my entire life, I often find that while I've ventured all over the second largest city in the US, there are still many places to explore, particularly with my children. I love finding unique, off-the-beaten activities that offer memorable experiences.
Last week, my children and I headed over to see the brand new show that ... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 10, 2012 by caryn
Love is in the air! February is the month devoted to showing those closest to you how much you care for them. Red, white, and pink decor abound, and very soon, flower and chocolate shops will see an influx of last minute shoppers, in search of the perfect expression of their affection. I'm all about tradition but I also enjoy unique, out-of-the box ways to celeb... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 10, 2012 by caryn
Are you traveling to New York City this Spring? Do you have a passion for musical theater? This March, Newsies will open on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre. Originally released in 1992 by Disney, the film was based on the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City, which was led by youth to force change in the way newsboys were compensated fo... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by caryn
I'm always surprised at how little time an actress like Bridgit Mendler spends recording for a full-length animated film like The Secret World of Arrietty (three days, according to the young actress), which opens in theaters on February 17th. Mendler, who stars in the Disney Channel Series Good Luck Charlie, voices Arrietty, a tiny but courageous and determined 14 y... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by caryn
Despite the fact that I don't talk much about saving money, I actually do quite a bit to ensure we're not paying more than we have to for the items we purchase. I'm an avid comparison shopper and do a ton of research before investing in big purchases. I shop at multiple stores (for many reasons), peruse the ads before my shopping ventures, and clip coupons when it m... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 by caryn
Have you ever wondered how a product ends up on the shelves at Walmart? I can imagine that getting Walmart to sell the product you've worked hard to develop would take your business to an entirely new level.
For the very first time, Walmart has announced an innovative new contest called Get On the Shelf. The nationwide search is on to find the latest "it" produ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by caryn
One of my favorite ways to celebrate a holiday (even if it's a minor one) is to bake. I love experimenting with recipes and exercising my creative side. This year, I thought I'd combine my love for baking with my somewhat crafty side and experiment with some DIY Cookie Mixes neatly packed inside a jar.
This isn't an entirely original idea, but I thought I'd put a... Read More »