Published on Thursday, May 31, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Thank you COOL WHIP for sponsoring this post. Join us on Facebook for inspiration and recipes for everyday treats. What you add makes it. #coolwhipmoms
Sweets are my weakness. Perhaps that is why I've yet to lose this stubborn 10 pounds, a reminder of my pregnancy ice cream binges and midnight grilled cheese sandwiches. With summer just a few short weeks awa... Read More »
Published on Thursday, May 31, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
In preparation for the official start to summer, Totsy is offering some amazing sales on essentials for swimming and sunning! Everything from sandals and sundresses to outdoor toys and swimwear is on sale with savings of up to 90% off retail pricing! Here are some of my favorite summer picks!
Toddler Sandals Under $5
Flip Flops, Sling backs, Nubuck sandals a... Read More »
Published on Thursday, May 31, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
It is in the kitchen and in the bathroom that I find some of the most challenging cleaning scenarios. I don't enjoy cleaning (not many people do) but I desire a home that is presentable and free from dirt, dust, and grime. My husband and I always rotate who will clean areas like the stove or the bathroom because neither of us enjoy those tasks. Inevitably, we en... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Because my kids share a room at present, it's difficult to choose a theme that works well for both a preschool boy and a toddler girl. My son won't have pink or princesses in his room, and my daughter won't have anything to do with cars or items that aren't pretty and feminine. My challenge is to help inspire a room that's fun and creative for both of them.
Since... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Most days, I consider myself to be a typical thirty-something wife and mother. Our life is relatively uneventful, but never boring. From the moment we wake up, it is a pretty constant flow of activities that include making meals, reading stories, washing dishes, refereeing sibling disputes, folding laundry, fixing boo boos, getting crafty and baking vegan cupcakes... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
It's all fun and games until somebody trips on a LEGO. Children love to play, and toys and games serve a valuable purpose...they help teach children everything from fine motor skills to cooperation. But at the end of the day, the floor of our children's room is sprinkled with toys...toys I have to clean up.
Design and organization expert Kelly Edwards, featured... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
I remember the very first time I became a victim of credit card fraud. About a week later, I visited my local Starbucks. As soon as I was notified that my credit card had been declined (twice), I knew what had happened. I thought back to that day when I was alone with my kids, anxiously trying to locate a gas station in an unfamiliar and somewhat sketchy part of t... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Owning a home was one of the greatest achievements my husband and I realized. We no longer feel like we're throwing our money away each month, rather, we're slowly paying off an investment. With tremendous freedom comes incredible responsibility. When something breaks and my husband is working, I don't have a landlord to call to fix it. I don't have any immedi... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Despite the fact that we're still several weeks away from the first day of summer, I always feel like Memorial weekend is the unofficial start, since the weather typically warms up around this time of year. We spent the long weekend relaxing, cooking, and sprucing up our home in preparation for a summer of family time and entertaining.
I recently had an opportuni... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
At just 50 calories for a 1 cup serving, strawberries have quite the impressive nutrition profile. Inside this sweet, juicy, delightful fruit are antioxidants, fiber, folate, potassium, and Vitamin C, information I learned during my visit to Monterey with the California Strawberry Commission. As someone who loves all-things-strawberry, I didn't need a lot of convi... Read More »
Published on Monday, May 28, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Over the holiday weekend, I spent some time baking and cooking up my favorite foods. I love long weekends because I actually have the time to experiment and create new recipes without the pressure of our weekly routine. With summer approaching, I'm looking for quick, easy meals that are healthy and flavorful. I try not to use our oven in the summer because our c... Read More »
Published on Monday, May 28, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Before the internet became what it is today, I enjoyed the weekly shopping trips with my mother. We'd shop for everything from groceries and household supplies to shoes and apparel. When I became a parent, I dreaded going shopping, particularly when my daughter became old enough to exercise her independence by climbing out of the cart/stroller to run around the st... Read More »
Published on Sunday, May 27, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself - Joseph Campbell
Unlike some holidays, an overwhelming sense of emotion floods over me when I think about the courageous men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country. To think about the very fact that they gave up everything...family, friendships, comfort, famil... Read More »
Published on Saturday, May 26, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people - Mahatma Gandhi
I remember the moment I first realized I was different. I was in elementary school and a little girl asked me about my hair and the color of my skin. As much as I tried to deny my culture and convince her that I was exactly like her, she knew I wasn't...even at the young age of ... Read More »
Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
This is the year for fairy tale-inspired films, and in honor of Universal Pictures' soon-to-be released film Snow White and the Huntsman, I had an opportunity to meet with Jose Neira, owner of Jose Neira Salon and stylist at The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs. Neira has over 28 years of experience in hair artistry, and his salon offers traditional hair care and styli... Read More »
Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
For years, professionals in the hair care industry have discouraged the use of shampoo and conditioner on the scalp, unless of course the products are being used for something problematic, like dandruff. So when I was asked to try out a brand new line of hair care products designed to be used directly on the scalp, I was intrigued and a bit perplexed. The whole p... Read More »
Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Every time I travel, I have lofty aspirations that I'll catch up on some much needed sleep. Unfortunately, the stress of travel, disruption in circadian rhythm due to changes in time zones, and unfamiliar sleeping environments typically mean that I'm catching up on sleep AFTER the trip.
Sleep is integral to physical and emotional health, which is why for the seco... Read More »
Published on Friday, May 25, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
Like most holiday weekends, we're sticking close to home to spend some quality family time together. I love long weekends, particularly when a holiday is involved because I know that shops, restaurants and entertainment venues will often run special sales and deals. With summer just around the corner, I'm aspiring to update both of my kids' wardrobes, so a good a... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” ― Marilyn Monroe
This week is National Shoe Week! Can you believe it? An entire week dedicated to my favorite accessory! I'm not the type of woman who spends extravagant amounts of money on "things" but a fashionable, well-fitting shoe is something I consider to be a valuable investment. T... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Caryn Bailey
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Lala R. Congrats!
It goes without saying that groceries comprise a major part of our budget. In order to save as much as possible, I cut coupons (when it makes sense), peruse each of our local stores' ads, comparison shop, and work hard not to deviate from "the list." If your local grocery store o... Read More »