Mommy Has to Work

Family Christmas Cards… They Aren’t Cringey Anymore

December 13, 2013 By Anne

This is a guest post.

So, a Christmas card featuring an image of a grinning family on the front, wearing festive jumpers, is cheesy right? Wrong. I can’t believe it, but the family Christmas card is back with a bang. Obviously, it needs to be done right, but when it is, it can come be really effective and brings home the spirit of Christmas and the importance of family.

Christmas cards like these have become fashionable, again, thanks to a little help from famous families such as the Kardashians and the Royal family. The Kardashians, in particular, are huge trendsetters and whatever they do seems to be acceptable (to most). This family’s artistic (although slightly exhibitionist) take on the bog standard Christmas card has influenced us all.

You don’t have to spend quite the same amount on producing the card as the Kardashians or the Royals. You can though create it yourself? Homecrafts encourage people to embrace their artistic nature and add a little more sentimentality to their cards.

You can either take a group shot of your family, specifically for the card, or use older pictures of individual members to create it. This means not only will you not have to send out the same tired cards you can also update your family and friends on how your family is doing.

Rather than sending cards with images of random snowmen or strangers enjoying the festive season, make it all about you.

Photos are a big part of life now, thanks to social media. People regularly share photographs to engage with others, and let everyone know their movements and achievements. So, why not include this in your yearly card? You can even make it a regular thing to show how your family grows and changes year by year.

This idea takes the Christmas card to a new level by creating a festive greeting and a keepsake. You don’t have to be the next Van Gogh to make the perfect card, just using a little imagination and creativity can go a long way to impressing friends and family. There is a real sense of achievement too, that comes from making something yourself. Adding a touch of individuality will definitely help reawaken the Christmas spirit.

Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Land of the Giants Book Two: The Prodigals

December 13, 2013 By Anne

It was about a year and half ago tat I read Book One Giants in the Land : The Way of Things. I really enjoyed the first book so when offered to review Book Two – The Prodigals I was excited. These are deep books that really make you think about life. I need these kind of books once and while. While reading I felt like I was a part of the story and the characters all come to life you just don’t want the book to end.

There are Giants in the Land . . .
A great shadow over the land threatens to overwhelm not only the people but a thousand years of Giant service and perhaps the Giants themselves.
The future of the land depends on three young prodigals and an aging hero. Their personal struggles must be set aside, for they are the land’s only true hope.
Book Two of the Giants Trilogy follows Thomas, as a much older man now serving as the Land’s Forest Ward, and two of his grandchildren (seventeen-year-old Tommy and thirteen-year-old Rose). They are unexpectedly caught up in a struggle for the survival of their people and their way of life. A sudden tragic change shocks them from a complacent and distracted life. Thomas, Tommy, and a band of lost prodigals are placed on a dangerous path toward destiny or destruction. Though they are unprepared, they are all that stands between hope for the future and loss of all they hold dear.

About the author..

Award-winning author Clark Burbidge was born and raised in the mountain valleys of the Rockies. He received an MBA degree from the University of Southern California and a BS degree from the University of Utah. He has over thirty years of experience in finance, which has taken him throughout the world. He has been active in community and church service, including youth and adult ministry, for over thirty-five years. Clark and his sweetheart, Leah, currently reside near the high mountain trails and enjoy their blended family of ten children and three grandchildren

Anne

Disney Princess Palace Pets

December 13, 2013 By Anne

Disney shows are not just about the human character, they are about the furry friends too. Just about every show has an animal or two that is part of the show. Now Disney has launched a product called the Disney Palace Pets.

Disney has recently released an app into the Apple marketplace to introduce the first characters before the toy line arrives in retail stores nationwide in early August. Please see the link below for a free download:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disney-princess-palace-pets/id643052753?ls=1&mt=8

The Palace Pets were first introduced in the Disney Princess Palace Pets app, a wildly popular, free iOS app from Disney Publishing Worldwide that launched in June 2013 and reached more than 1 million downloads in its first seven weeks. The app shares the story of how the Palace Pets met the Disney Princess characters and includes activities such as an interactive royal salon where children can wash, brush, groom, accessorize and treat the pets to snacks

We were sent a package of the new Disney Princess Palace Pets to enjoy! These Furry Tail Friends are $5.99 each and come with sparkly tiaras and styling brushes to groom their tails.

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My daughter was super excited to get these new toys. She went right to work grooming her pets and playing with them. What do most little girls love the most? Princesses and pets. Now you can get them all in one!

Other toys is this line are:

Talking & Singing Pets (MSRP $12.99 each): These dazzling figures come to life as they speak and sing several phrases with the press of their locket. The fall collection includes Pumpkin (Cinderella’s Puppy), Berry (Snow White’s Bunny) and Treasure (Ariel’s Kitty).

Pamper Me Pretty Plush (MSRP $24.99): Soft, sweet and stylish – the Pamper Me Pretty plush stuffed animals are perfect for grooming and snuggling! Available as both Pumpkin (Cinderella’s Puppy) and Beauty (Aurora’s Kitty), these pampered pets come with extra-fluffy tails and beautiful accessories. 

Pamper & Beauty Salon (MSRP $29.99): The Pamper & Beauty Salon is packed with tons of primping accessories like a blow-dryer, mirror, barrettes and more. Rapunzel’s kitty, Summer, is included with magical color-change features that make her pink nails and pretty makeup appear and disappear with water

Check out Disney Living on Twitter and Pinterest for some Disney Fun! And of course check out the Disney Store to get all your shopping done!

Anne

Favorite Holiday Movies

December 11, 2013 By Anne

This post is brought to you by MyBlueDish.

At this time of year there are so many fun movies to watch. My all time favorite is Elf. I was never a huge Will Ferrell fan until I watch Elf for the first time. I just adore that movie and can watch it year round. My favorite part is, well there are a few. When Buddy sees a regular sized toilet and shouts, Wow these are gianormous! That’s a favorite word now. hen when he’s in the department store and he starts singing. Oh and I can’t forget the part when picks the gum off the rails and eats it. His facial expression in so real.

Another favorite is The Grinch. Jim Carry is such a talent in any movie he does. You do have to like his humor though. I really like his movie Popper’s Penguins and look forward to watching that again soon. I think I like Jim Carry more as he gets older…

I can’t forget to add The Santa Clause movies. I love Tim Allen and he plays a great role in these movies. I think the first one is still my favorite but they are all really fun to watch. We have satellite for our television viewing but I’m interested in switching our services to something similar to MyBlueDish. It’s hard to switch when you’ve had a service for so long. But times are a changing. I’d like a new TV that has internet and I could go line with it. How cool is that?

So my last all time favorite holiday classic is A Christmas Story. I mean how can the holidays go by without watching this movie! I love when Ralphie comes downstairs in the rabbit jammies. Or when he swears after his dad when they are changing the tire! There are so many great parts!

What is your favorite Holiday Movie?

Anne

$50 Restaurant.com Giveaway #spon

December 11, 2013 By Anne

I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

Want some fun ideas for gifts? Check out these ideas from Restaurant.com. My pick would be the Movie Buff!!

BUNDLE UP WITH RESTAURANT.COM’S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

DELICIOUS IDEAS FOR EVERY BUDGET!

At Restaurant.com, the nation’s largest dining deals site, we love surprising our diners with fun ways to save. This holiday season, we’ve handpicked delicious dining experiences and gift ideas for every budget and compiled them into an exclusive Restaurant.com Holiday Gift Guide.

Simply pair any Restaurant.com Gift Card with one of these gift bundle ideas below for the ultimate dining experience and holiday treat:

1. The Movie Buff: This one is for me! I love going out to see the movies. However since it’s the season of giving I think my stepson would love this too. Just pick up two tickets to a their favorite theater and a $25 Resaurant.com Gift Card. They can go out to eat and then see a movie!

2. The Workaholic: To all those friends that work, work, work. Get them some spa items and a $50 Restaurant Gift Card so they can relax and unwind. You can even pair it with a massage.

3. The Wine Fanatic: This would be my dad and his wife to a tee! Get a bottle of wine and chocolates and a $25 Restaurant Gift Card. There are many BYOB restaurants to choose from!

4. The Romantic: For your sweetheart you can pair a Restaurant Gift Card with some pretty flowers and maybe some chocolate covered strawberries. Then go out to a nice restaurant just the two of you!

5. The Theatre Lover: Have someone on your list that loves the theater? Get tickets to their favorite show and a Restaurant Gift Card. What a grand gift that would be!

Be sure to check out Specials by Restaurant.com for more shopping ideas!

Links / URLs: Sweepstakes Giveaway Details: http://thedish.restaurant.com/holiday-bundle-up-giveaway/

Five (5) lucky Facebook fans will have a chance to win one of the gifts featured in our gift guide every Wednesday until December 18, 2013

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Restaurant_com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantcom

Blog post: http://thedish.restaurant.com 

Google+: +restaurantcom

About Restaurant.com:
The only thing better than going out for a great meal, is getting a great deal. Restaurant.com is your destination for dining whether you like to plan ahead or find a meal on the fly. We love restaurants as much as you do; that’s why we’ve been helping them fill tables since 1999. Restaurant.com helps you discover the perfect dining experience and boasts nearly 50,000 dining deals available every day to use anytime hunger strikes, even on the weekends! And, the deals are easy to use – present your certificate to the server on your mobile phone, or bring a printed copy, and voilà – the savings will appear on your final bill.