So I have been in the process of transforming my 3 years room from a "baby" room to a "BIG boy" room. Anyways, I was searching online for some fun DIY ideas and I came across this video and had to share.  I made one myself and it came out great!!!



Posted by Kayla Brown

15 Fun Facts About Women

If you think that men and women are similar, you may be very wrong. My psychoanalysis professor likes to joke that we are absolutely different species. Maybe it’s a joke, but it’s really not far from reality.

To illustrate that, here are 15 fun facts about women. I hope you’ll find something that will make you smile and maybe something about yourself.

Happy reading!

(image credits: mark sebastian)

1. According to Playboy, more women talk dirty during intercourse than men.

2. Women do NOT want an honest answer to the question, ‘How do I look?’

3. A Saudi Arabian woman can get a divorce if her husband doesn’t give her coffee.

4. It is illegal to be a prostitute in Siena, Italy, if your name is Mary.

5. Women do NOT want an honest answer to the question, ‘Is that girl good looking?’

6. The two highest IQ’s ever recorded (on a standard test) both belong to women.

7. Intercourse is more physical for men and more emotional for women.

8. It’s okay for women to dance with each other and not be gay, You don’t see straight men dancing together.

9. The first naked man women see is ‘Ken’.

10. Women are never wrong. Apologizing is the man’s responsibility.

11. When a woman answers, “I’m fine, ” after a
few seconds, she is not fine.

12. The average number of items in a typical woman’s bathroom is 437. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.

13. If a man goes on a seven-day trip, he’ll pack five days worth of clothes and will wear some things twice; if a woman goes on a seven-day trip she’ll pack 21 outfits because she doesn’t know what she’ll feel like wearing each day.

14. It’s cool to be a daddy’s girl. It’s sad to be a mommy’s boy.

15. Women can have partners that are years younger without being called dirty old perverts.

Posted by Kayla Brown

 

My Dreamcatcher : Charity

I found this cool site called  MyDreamcatcher.com where you can make your dream page (in English or Spanish) and they'll donate  $1 to any charity you choose.

Hannah

Hey everyone! I was listening to the radio(this might me kinda corny) and heard a commercial for Mcdonalds new scones. Well, it made me want scones really bad! My grandmother used to make them for me and my siblings on Sunday afternoons, and we would play "tea-party". This is what I'm going to be doing with my chilly Sunday afternoon! Baking scones and playing tea party with my lil' sis:)

Petite Vanilla Bean Scones

Prep Time: 20 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 20 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 12

Print Recipe3"x5" Cards4"x6" CardsFull Page

Ingredients

• SCONES
• 3 cups All-purpose Flour
• 2/3 cups Sugar
• 5 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 2 sticks (1/2 Pound) UNSALTED Butter, Chilled
• 1 whole Large Egg
• 3/4 cups Heavy Cream (more If Needed)
• 2 whole Vanilla Beans
• GLAZE
• 5 cups Powdered Sugar, Sifted
• 1/2 cup Whole Milk, More If Needed For Thinning
• 1 whole Vanilla Bean
• Dash Of Salt

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Split the vanilla beans down the middle lengthwise and scrape out all the vanilla "caviar" inside. Stir caviar into cream. Set aside for 15 minutes.

Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut cold butter into pats, then use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour. Keep going until mixture resembles crumbs.

Mix vanilla cream with egg, then combine with flour mixture; stir gently with a fork just until it comes together.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and lightly press it together until it forms a rough rectangle. (Mixture will be pretty crumbly.) Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Use your hands to help with the forming if necessary.

Use a knife to trim into a symmetrical rectangle, then cut the rectangle into 12 symmetrical squares/rectangles. Next, cut each square/rectangle in half diagonally, to form two triangles.

Transfer to a parchment or baking mat-lined cookie sheet and bake for 18 minutes, removing from the oven just before they start to turn golden. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

VANILLA GLAZE

To make the icing, split one vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the caviar. Stir caviar into milk; allow to sit for awhile. Mix powdered sugar with the vanilla milk, adding more powdered sugar or milk if necessary to get the consistency the right thickness. Stir or whisk until completely smooth.

One at a time, carefully dunk each cooled scone in the glaze, turning it over if necessary. Transfer to parchment paper or the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set completely, about an hour. Scones will keep several days if glazed.

Sunday Movie: I Don't Know How She Does It

This Sunday i will be watching I Don't Know How She Does It which is the epitome of what women are all about.  I like this movie because it shows an inside look on how women think, and it correctly portrays how all women are jugglers and multitaskers. I Don't Know How She Does It is a comedy centered on the life of Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker), a modern woman struggling to juggle the demands of motherhood and a high-pressure career (she is also the breadwinner for her husband ).

Hannah

New Show Alert! : GCB

Every Sunday I have been watching this new show (which is now my favorite guilty pleasure show) called GCB (Good Christian Belles). I find it to be a southern-fried and funny, delicious dramedy (drama/comedy) that is quickly filling my Sunday evenings. I am OBSESSED.
                                                                                     Hannah

• What it's about: Leslie Bibb plays Amanda, a recently-widowed woman who has to move back to her hometown for a fresh start. Unfortunately for her, the girls she knew in high school have grown into vindictive women who haven't forgotten how nasty Amanda was back then. After Amanda's philandering husband accidentally drives off a cliff, she moves herself and her kids to Dallas and into the home of her feisty mother (Annie Potts). As she tries to settle in, she faces off with Carlene (Kristin Chenoweth) the current queen of mean in Dallas and her entourage of religious but catty minions who want to see Amanda brought down.
• Why it works:  It’s a southern spitfire of a show. GCB has the perfect amount of sugar, spice and sassy in it. I find the cast to be perfection, the women are each such fun and bold characters; like Kristin Chenoweth . The tiny little Broadway belter is larger than life in GCB as the completely made-over, venomously vengeful instigator of the anti-Amanda campaign. (I love how in the south an insult does not count if you end it with "bless your heart".)
• When it's on: Sundays at 10 p.m. on ABC
• You might like this show if: You're a fan of  Steel Magnolias , Desperate Housewives, Dallas, or Designing Women 

Beach!

Beach!

Is it Summer of Spring?

Beach Day in March!

Bring your friends and family to the beach, a wonderful, peaceful, and beautiful place
to be.
If you have kids, this is the BEST place to go. SUN, SAND, SURF!

Listening to the sound of rumbling waves, you become so relaxed when you are at the beach, you completely forget about stress backhome.

Enjoy sunrise to sunset.

I sat on the sunny beach and took a dip in the icy water to cool off - WOW! What more can I say - I loved it!  I could stay at the beach all day!
Elaine

Ways Women Damage their Hair

Admit it you have had at least one (or two) hair faux paus. I personally had an unflattering bob in 4th grade (that still haunts me to this day) and i was a honey blonde on and off throughout my life (even though i am a brunette). I miss being blonde but its always too much up keep for me because my roots grow in so fast. Anyways over the years i have gained some knowledge about hair care mistakes that i would like to share with everyone!

1. Delaying Haircuts - Waiting too long in between haircuts is one beauty sin women habitually commit. Always stay on top of hair appointments to keep hair manageable and beautiful. The ends of your hair often become brittle and dry, giving them a dull and unhealthy appearance.Get a haircut every six to eight weeks, depending on your growth. When you wait too long, you have split ends and your hair is less shiny and out of control. TRUST ME a haircut can make all the difference.

2. Choosing the WRONG Shampoo - I have been using WEN by Chaz Dean for years. WEN is a cleansing conditioner that has (shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, leave-in conditioner, and even shaving cream) all in one. I truly think its a "magic formula" my color holds better, it keeps my hair healthy and long i swear by it. It comes it many "flavors" that are for certain hair issues like the pomegranate cleansing conditioner is formulated to add moisture without weighing hair down. It effectively cleanses and hydrates hair without stripping or robbing it of its natural nutrients and oils. Lavender helps to moisturize and create volume without weighing hair down. It's universally great for all hair types especially for dry, dehydrated, or color treated hair. Then there is Fig which is ideal for medium to coarse, wavy to curly, and ethnic hair types; and is exceptional on dry, dehydrated, damaged, color treated, chemically straightened, and heat damaged hair. So Always choose a shampoo that's tailored to your hair needs. For example, certain shampoos are created for fine, curly,colored, gray or dandruff prone hair.

3. Combing Hair when Wet-combing your hair while it's wet and tangled can result in hair breakage in addition to pain. Always use a detangling spray or softening agent before combing wet hair Also make certain you are using a toothed comb. if you struggle with matted and tangled hair, you're probably using the wrong products for your hair type.

4. Rubbing Hair in Towel = worst thing ever!

rubbing your hair in your towel is a beauty mistake that'll leave your hair frizzy, unkempt and  unhealthy. after showering wring out excess water from hair with your hands and then to wrap it in a towel for 5 to 10 minutes. If you still have excess water in your hair, either rewrap and wait another 10 minutes or gentle press your hair between a dry towel.

5. Wearing Ponytails -Your hair is also susceptible to breaking when you place your ponytail in the same spot every day. a tight pony tail will have residual damage on your hairline, from the pull and tightness, as well as the area where the ponytail is being held by the band,you can even have loss of elasticity. Switch things up by either wearing hair down, moving the location of your ponytail or by using a less damaging hair tool, such as a barrette, claw or bobby pins.

Hair is like an accessory.......proceed with caution

Hannah

Bonus Movie: Five

I was watching the Lifetime for women channel one day and i caught an amazing film called "Five" The groundbreaking original movie  is an anthology of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives. The movie highlights the shared experience each short film’s title character endures from the moment of diagnosis, through an interconnected story arc that uses humor and drama to focus on the effect breast cancer and its different stages of diagnosis have on relationships and the way women perceive themselves while searching for strength, comfort, medical breakthroughs and, ultimately, a cure. 

(airs again Wed Apr 18 at 8 PM on LMN) Directed by Jennifer Aniston, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Patty Jenkins  and Penelope Spheeris 

Demi Moore's piece, "Charlotte," the first of "Five," is a flashback to 1969, a time when emotions, cancer and death were just whispered discussions among adults. Told from a child's point of view, viewers feel the confusion, mystery and sadness of 7-year-old Pearl who can't understand why her mom, Charlotte , is so sick. It doesn't help that none of the adults, especially her despondent father , ever tells her the truth.  Jennifer Aniston is behind the camera for "Mia," a unique look at a cancer patient's unexpected second chance.  "Cheyanne," directed by Penelope Spheeris, focuses on the atypical in terms of diagnosis, culture and image  but is possibly the most moving. Cheyanne is a newlywed stripper whose husband Tommy is the muscle for a loan shark. Her diagnosis with a severe form of breast cancer is not only an economic hardship, it threatens her very identity. The juxtaposition of the tough and the tender is brought home as Tommy finds help and advice from the degenerate gambler Lenny he's hired to beat up. Similarly, Alicia Keys' story "Lili" is less about cancer itself than its effect on family and friends. Lili not only has to deal with her own diagnosis, but the reaction of her overbearing mother Maggie  and her competitive sister . The movie even features a man diagnosed with breast cancer. "Pearl" wraps up the project, not by tying loose ends together but by eloquently and poignantly bringing closure. 

Hannah

Sunday Movie: My Week with Marilyn

Its that time again! SUNDAY! hopefully your relaxing in your pajamas having brunch, doing your nails etc. My movie pick for this Sunday is My Week with Marilyn .The story of how Colin Clark met Marilyn Monroe while working as a young assistant on Laurence Olivier's "The Prince and the Showgirl." When Marilyn experienced emotional difficulties during shooting, the 23-year-old third assistant director came to her aid and romance developed. But one week of honesty and fun was not enough to save the doomed star from self-destruction. I found this movie fascinating because it gives a behind the scenes look at movie making and we get to see a glimpse of what everyone else saw when they met Ms. Monroe . Her madness is what made her such a great actress when she got it right it was flawless. This movie goes back to my Marilyn Monroe quote i posted in February :

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” 

                                                                                                               ―  Marilyn Monroe

Hannah

Colin Clark met Marilyn Monroe while working as a young assistant on Laurence Olivier's "The Prince and the Showgirl." When Marilyn experienced emotional difficulties during shooting, the 23-year-old third assis

Flowers

 Flowers 

 Why do people give each other flowers? To celebrate various important occasions: Anniversaries, birthdays, congratulations, get well wishes, just because, new baby, love & romance, sympathy, and thank you.                                           
Flowers come along and cheer us up at a time we most need it.  Flowers wisper "Beauty" to the world.

                                           

                                           
Flowers make me happy!

Elaine

London Olympic Games 2012

London Olympic Games  - July 27 - August 12, 2012

    

Mascots: Wenlock  and  Mandeville
 

Here are just a few events I enjoy watching during the Olympic Games:

Beach Volleyball
Teams of two will serve, bump and spike their way towards gold.
Did you know: The United States has won five of the eight Olympic gold medals awarded since the sport's introduction to the Games in 1996.

Diving
Diving requires acrobatic excellence and supreme coordination skills, as athletes dive from heights of up to 10m into the waters below.

Equestrian - Events
Featuring dressage, cross-country and a dramatic jumping finale.
Did you know:  Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against each other on equal terms.

Gymnastics - Artistic
The grace, strength and skill of Olympic gymnastics have been astonishing audiences since the Games in Ancient Greece.
Men compete on the floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar.
Women compete on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor
Did you know: A 'Perfect 10' is no longer the top score in Gymnastics.  Openended scoring was introduced in 2006.

Swimming
Speed, strength and stamina will be key for athletes in the swimming competition.
There are four strokes used in Olympic competition: Freestyle (front crawl) Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly.
Did you know: The crawl technique used in freestyle swimming was developed by a British swimmer instructor named J Arthur Trudgeon, who based it on a Native American style of swimming that he had discovered during a trip to South America in the 1870s.

There are so many more sporting events during the London Olymics, I hope you enjoy watching them as much as I do.
Elaine

How to Get A Good Night's Sleep

How to get a good night's sleep seems to be the most popular question that women have. With our demanding lifestyles and busy schedules, it is very hard to get that much needed rest. Experts recommend that we get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. You may think, how?  I know, the easy part is getting in the bed.  The hard part is quieting the mind, turning off the images, and ceasing to add to that "to do" list.  Sleep is essential in helping us to work at our very best.  Here are my tips on how to get a good night's sleep. 

Hannah

 - Set a regular bedtime.

- Turn off your television and computer.

- Keep noise down.

- Sleep in complete darkness.

- Take a hot bath to ease your mind and soothe your muscles.

- Avoid bedtime snacks high in sugar.

- Try journaling to rid your mind of thoughts before bed.

- Read something spiritual or uplifting. 

How to Unplug and Recharge

I often wonder about how to unplug and recharge. There is no denying that we have become a plugged in society. Most of us communicate on at least three social media outlets throughout the day. Let's face it, we are social media addicts. But with all of the communication and keeping up with posts, tweets and pings, it can become overwhelming and draining. Sometimes you need to step back and take a day to unplug and recharge. It is okay. There is no need to feel guilty for taking time to breathe, unplug and recharge your batteries. You are not at your best when you are exhausted. Too much of anything can be bad. Relax. Here are my tips on how to unplug and recharge for a day:

1. Disconnect from the internet 2. Turn off your cell phone 3. Get away from your everyday environment 4. Take a day trip somewhere new 5. Enjoy a good movie 6. Have a dinner date with friends or your significant other 7. Enjoy being peaceful and read a book or magazine

Hannah

Relay for Life / American Cancer Society

Relay for Life

American Cancer Society

Just ask Laurie Fisher Roberge ( She is a mother who has a son dealing with cancer and she is a student at QVCC taking a Communication class with me.)

41 kids a day are diagnosed with cancer, every 4 hours a child dies of cancer.

Please help us help these kids and families.

You can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.  Sign up for a Relay for Life event today. Together we can find a CURE!   Thank You!
Elaine

Women's Health Magazine

Women's Health Magazine

This magazine offers articles that are informative to Women!

Fitness, Sex & Love, Food, Weight Loss, Eat This!, Health, Beauty, Style, Video!

I really enjoy reading this magazine, It's has wonderful articles, great health tips, fitness workouts, healthy choices regarding food, taking care of your body, and fun beauty tips.

I hope you pick up this magazine for yourself!
Elaine

Khan Academy

Khan Academy

The phenomenally successful online learning center that offers students of all ages FREE access to more than 2,600 video tutorials.
Subjects like math, history, science, english.

Availability: khanacademy.org;youtube.com/education

This online learning center is a great tool to use if your child is having problems in any subject, or as a parent, great information to help you explain how (Math- albebra) is done!  Thanks Khan Academy!
Elaine

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

McDonald's Shamrock Shake Copycat Recipe
(makes 1 giant shake, or 2 generously sized shakes)

Ingredients:

3 cups good quality vanilla ice cream
1 3/4 cups 1% milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Green food coloring, if desired

Directions:
 Blend all ingredients in a blender until completely thick and smooth, Pour into glasses and serve . By Kelsey Banfield

 Enjoy!  Elaine

Also, A little Irish Poem

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way.

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and everyday!

Elaine

Wa-Zone (Waffle Calzones)

I tried this Wa-Zone (Waffle Calzones) recipe after seeing it on the Rachael Ray show and i have to say it turned out pretty well. Its a tasty twist to a classic calzone. 

                                                                                                   Hannah

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh ricotta or part skim ricotta
• A handful parsley, chopped
• A handful basil, chopped
• About 1/2 cup provolone cheese, shredded
• 2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
• Fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
• 1 round pizza dough
• Salt and pepper
• EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Water

• Preparation

  Preheat waffle maker to high heat.
  
  

  In a medium bowl mix together ricotta cheese, parsley, basil, provolone, garlic, salt, pepper and a little EVOO.
  
  

  Halve the room temperature dough and roll out the doughs into 8inch rounds. Spread 1/2 ricotta cheese mixture all over dough, leaving a ½ inch around the edge. Lay a few slices of mozzarella across on side. With your finger, rub water around the edge of the round. Fold the dough over and crimp the edges.
  
  

  Lay the calzone in the waffle maker and gently shut. But do not apply pressure. Let cook until brown or waffle maker sounds. Repeat for other piece of dough.
  Serve with your favorite marinara sauce as a dipper.