What's Your Agenda?!

Happy New Year Friends!!! Please excuse my absence~~camera broke, microwave broke, oven broke...LOL I'm not kidding. During Christmas for crying out loud!! But all is well in Texskiss land now~the kids are tucked back into school, kicking and screaming the whole way. (Me, not them, I hate school. I hated it when I was a kid and I hate it now. I miss my babies!!) So I ran out yesterday, vowing to be "more organized" this year so I picked up a new Agenda! I looked online for options of styles and decided since I will be shoving it into my purse most days, that I'd purchase a middle of the roader...the MomAgenda. It's hot pink and kinda cute. It should be a welcome "perk me up" on dreary days. It was between the hot pink or a shiny grayish silver. The pink was cute and the silver was sophisticated. But the silver agenda was not a MomAgenda and didn't have the same cool sections to jot things down in, such as "Kids Medication" etc. So the hot pink won. If I can keep this one relatively nice and pretty then maybe next year I'll treat myself to a real nice grown up agenda such as the Gucci or Smythson! They're GORGEOUS!! Here are the agenda's that I came across on the Internet that I thought all made good options. Here's to a very organized and productive 2012! XOXO

This is the Smythson. It's just so elegant.

http://www.smythson.com/diaries.html

Here we have the lovely Gump's Agenda.

Pretty isn't she?

http://www.gumps.com/p/gump-s-monogrammed-desk-diary?CatalogCategoryID=DDPrNyNfKAZYpVeCgSnXxSQoKX

And then there's always the Queen Bee~~Gucci!

She'd last forever and dress you up in elegance in a very big way.

http://www.gucci.com/us/styles/115241A0V1G2019 And here's my choice for the New Year~~The MomAgenda. Sounds a little "soccer mom"~ I know, but it's really quite pretty. http://www.momagenda.com/

Very useful. Should keep this old girl organized!

Here's hoping!!

:)

Anita Renfroe | William Tell Momisms | Official Version

NYC Bronzer in Sunny~~Rave!

As we head into the winter months pretty full swing, I thought I'd do a little rave about this new inexpensive bronzer I've come across. It's by that little company that you see at the drugstore but always walk past because you're not sure what they have that might be any good. It's called NYC and the bronzer in Sunny is pretty fab. I've used bronzers from all lines from the top department store brands to drug store brands and I'm happy to say that this lovely matte bronzer holds it's own with the big boys. It's a soft touch of color that adds just a hint of color to your pale indoor winter complexion. It says "Yes, I'm still alive!" You can find it probably at any drugstore that sells NYS such as Walgreens , Ulta, or CVS. It's less than $3, I think, so go ahead and buy 2. One for home and one for your on the go makeup bag. Things are staring to look a lot more sunny!!

Broken Holidays~~

I know that sounds like a REALLY bad title but it's not all so desperate. Just wanted to explain why I haven't had any photos up lately~~I dropped my camera and broke my fabulous Nikon lens! :( I didn't drop it hard, just a little slip and tap and boom....the zoom and focus are broken. I'm waiting to find out where to take it to have it fixed before Christmas. I really wanted to take photos of my decorations for you all. But at least I'm pretty sure that will be the last in a long string of bad luck lately. Let's see...first our air conditioning broke a few months ago (when it was still VERY hot here in Texas), then our Thermador oven broke, then my television bulb busted, and now my camera! LOL Well, it's really no laughing matter but what's a girl gonna do? It tis vat it tis!

So I'll try to keep you all occupied with lots of reviews and raves until I get my camera back up and running or maybe I'll try out the little pocket camera I bought my daughter for her youth group trip a few months ago!! I'm also toying with the idea of putting on vlogs...video blog posts....what do you think? Yeah~~that's the ticket!

Another Reason To Love The Season!!

We love the Christmas season here at my house! We've just spent all day getting the house all decorated and ready for a dreamy month of festivities celebrating our Lord's birth! One more little reason we love this time of year is that our FAVORITE shake comes out for a limited time at Chic Fil A!! Now, let me stress to you that this is NOT very healthy so don't overdo it but after you've done your cardio and eaten your veggies, treat yourself to one of these DELICIOUS Peppermint Chocolate Shakes!!! Go ahead!! They are AMAZING! I'm not kidding. Go get one while you're shopping at the mall and let me know what you think. Oh and I ask for mine without the whipped cream and I order a small size but I ALWAYS wish I had gotten a large because they're THAT good! Enjoy!! XOXO

Help Me Be Good!

A few weeks ago, I was laying in bed with my 17 year old daughter, and she jokingly said, "Mom, before you die, you have to tell me what you did to raise me, because I'm so awesome!" We laughed hysterically! Then after a few minutes she said, "No, really. What did you do?" We laughed some more. Apparently, she wasn't very fond of my strict ways while she was growing up, but now that she's old enough to realize that her morals and values are starting to serve her really well when she's faced with situations where she has to decide what to do on her own more and more, she's appreciative of the way we've raised her. She's able to be with her peers and love them, and understand them, and not judge them, but not feel compelled to join along with them if they partake in things that just don't feel right to her. I couldn't be more thankful.

One the tools that helped me with growing Godly girls are these "Help Me Be Good Books." I know it sounds silly but my girls LOVED these books when they were little. They'd beg me to read them over and over and over again. They touch on so many subjects such as Being Greedy, Cheating, Lying, Stealing, Being Messy (Come to think if it, that one didn't work so well. Maybe I should get it back out!) etc. I really suggest getting these books if you have little ones. They're fun yet powerful at the same time!!

http://store.joyberrybooks.com/index.cfm/product/22/help-me-be-good-series-box-set.cfm

Happy Thanksgiving!

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. -Ralph Waldo Emerson Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm thankful for each and every one of my blog friends who I've so enjoyed getting to share and know through this wonderful process! I wish you all a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving! XOXO

Candy Cookies~~Does It Get Any Better Than This? :)

I've been making these for a few years and they are always a hit so I thought I'd share. They are SUPER easy to make (just a little slicing of cookie dough and a little peeling of candy wrappers and you're good to go!)

Start with a bowl of candy~~you can use any kind but I really like

candy kisses and small Reese's cups!

Peel them! Get several kids of cookie dough~~peanut butter, sugar, even the brownie dough is good! Cut them into slices and then halves. Place the halves into miniature cupcake pans. Now cook them as you normally would small cookies. Keep an eye on them and don't let them over cook. Usually between 6-8 minutes is plenty.

Now as soon as you take them out push the candies into the center! YUM!!!

Deliciousness!

And there you go! I made 2 batches the other night for my daughter's basketball team dinner and they were just about all gone by the time the girls all left!

Easy and yummy!!

Enjoy!

Bruins surprise parents with son home from Afghanistan 11/12/11

Just to make you smile today~~I can never get enough of these wonderful reunions! God Bless our soldiers and their families!

John Frieda Go Blonder Review

As winter has been approaching I thought I'd try this new product to see if I could stretch my sessions to get highlights just a little bit further in these months when I'm not outdoors as much. I had heard of this John Freida product called John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Collection. It's supposed to lighten your hair with time as you use it to shampoo and condition your hair. So here's my review~~Save your money! This product made my hair look TERRIBLE! I never noticed any change in the color (and I used 2 bottles) and during the day my hair looked limp and lifeless with fly aways...it was a mess. I've since chucked what was left in my trash and gone back to using Kerastase. I'm on the lookout for a new shampoo that will make my hair look full of body!! I'm next going to try the Bumble & Bumble Shampoo so I'll get you a review of that right away!

No Chicken Noodle Soup!

This past week my little girl came down with a nasty tummy virus. She had a fever and just a really bad case of the yuckies! On the way home from the doctor I stopped off real quick at Wholefoods and got the goods to rehydrate her and make her my homemade no-chicken noodle soup. We're vegetarians but still love the flavor and feel of a big bowl of steaming soup when we're sick. I thought I'd share my recipe in case you ever have a vegetarian friend in need of a good soup when they're sick!! You'd be a rock star to show up with this!!

I gather all the usual suspects for chicken noodles soup: garlic, frozen stew vegetables (makes cooking soup really fast and easy when you've been up all night with a sick child!) veggie bouillon, vegetable soup stock, sea salt, egg noodles, and spices. Instead of the chicken, I add Morning Stars Vegetarian "chicken strips." Even my meat eating husband loved this soup!

Boil the noodles first and drain the water.

Keep the noodles in the colander to be added at the end when the soup is all ready so they don't over cook and get mushy.

Throw all the ingredients into the pot and boil 'er up!

I added 2 boxes of the vegetable broth. 1 wasn't enough.

And because I like my soup really flavorful I add more bouillon cubes to make it stronger. Add cubes to your taste!

Then add back the noodles and voila!!! It was easy and delicious for the whole family!!! Bon Appetit!

Something Borrowed Dance Scene, Kate Hudson & Ginnifer Goodwin

I had a snugly night at home last night. It was the 1st really winter~ish night we've had all year so far, and we ordered a tomato, cheese, and basil pizza, snuggled up under faux fur blankets, turned out all the lights and watched Something Borrowed. I'm having trouble finding movies that I like lately, but this one is really cute. It's not for the kiddos as it's a bit racy but other than that, rent it! Here's a really fun dance scene from the movie~~I'd love to learn how they do this dance! Here's to good friends, good movies, and good times! XO

My Morning Juice!

This morning I had a little fun with my juice by putting into this cute glass for Halloween. I made a yummy beet, kale, parsley, apple, pear juice!! SOOOO yummy!

Things Are Getting SPOOKY Around Here!

I started putting out Halloween a few weeks ago but it's still a work in progress~~

I love this witches hat that I found a few years back~~I tuck it on this little chair in a corner. Very Cute!

I like to display things that light up or make noises here and there~~my daughter LOVES the things that make noise!

My little pumpkin dolls are fun lounging on my couches and chairs~~

I don't know if you can see the witches sitting below the dishes....they move and laugh when you walk by! They are my youngest daughter's favorite Halloween decoration!!

These are little pumpkin votive candle that I put all over the house! They're actually very pretty when lit in the evening for a little sparkle!

I'm starting to add more and more to my papier mache collection~~here are a few pieces. I love the little bobble heads below! They have glitter on them and you know I LOVES me some glitter!! So that's a little glimpse of my Halloween decorations! I'd love to know what you put out for the holidays!

1st Day of Juice Fast! Wish Me Luck!

Here's my grocery store haul for my juice fast~~Lots of fresh veggies including Kale, Spinach, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Ginger, Apples, Pears, Pineapple, and Carrots! I'm starting my juice fast with a cough and sore throat that I've had for about a month. I took a Z-pack (antibiotic~I really hate to take antibiotics but I was really really sick) which helped a little but then the cough came right back. I'm hoping juicing will help my body heal faster! I'll let you know!

Lots of gorgeous color~~you know what they say! "Eat a Rainbow!"

Washing my spinach~~

Salad spinners are very handy~

I'm using my Braun juicer. It's probably not the best because the mouth isn't as big as I'd like for the veggies~~you have to chop them up pretty small to get them in. But it's all I've got right now. Someday I'd like to get a better juicer.

Liquid Gold~~

This morning I juiced spinach, parsley, apple, and pineapple. It was pretty good although I prefer it cold but I was just home from the store so it was room temp. I also strain my juice because I don't like it foamy or with any of the pulp. It tasted much better to me without any of the pulp or fiber. It's an extra step and clean up, but worth it for the taste!

After I drank my juice I went ahead and cleaned and prepared my produce so my day was ready for easy juicing. I hope this lasts me a few days. All this cost me roughly $35. at Krogers.

Kale, Spinach, Parsley, and Beet tops.

Pineapple and Beets~~I juice the entire pineapple...outside as well and inside. I don't want to waste any of that juice!

2 types of pears, apples, ginger, and celery. YUM!

I love carrots because they make greens a little sweeter! They're good for people like me who have a sweet tooth! So there you have it! My 1st day is underway. I'm still full from my 1st glass and that was about 2 hours ago. So far, so good!

UPDATE~~It's 5:11 pm and I'm starving! I have a slight headache which I hear is normal for detoxing. I'm about to go have another glass of juice~~I've had about 4 small glasses today. Should probably have more than that. Also, about to make a hot cup of tea. That will fill me up. This isn't easy. :(

Last Update of the day~~Going to bed a little early. I had a peppermint tea tonight. I was really hungry. I made my last juice with beet, apple, pear, pineapple, kale, parsley, beet tops, spinach & well, I think that's it. It was really good. My little one had some too. The clean up is a pain the rear so I made a little extra tonight for in the morning. I typically like to drink it right away so it doesn't lose any of the nutrients but occasionally it's just easier to make more for less clean up later. Have a headache. Tomorrow will be hard because I have a luncheon to attend. I may allow myself a small salad or just take my juices in my purse and drink them while all my friends eat. Nobody said this would be easy! Good night friends!

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Extended Trailer

I've told you all that I'm determined to get healthy again. Well, a friends of mine has been talking about a documentary for months and tonight the film maker was here in town to show his film, so we went! It was very inspirational. He's gotten in excellent health by juicing and fasting. I'm inspired! He's traveling the country speaking right now so look at his website and see if he's coming near you!

www.fatsickandnearlydead.com

Let me know if you go and if you decide to juice! Maybe we could go on a juice fast together! XO

Bluefly Closet Confessions presents Giuliana Rancic

This is just because I have Giuliana Rancic on my heart today following her announcement that she has the early stages of breast cancer. My daughters and I have loved watching her show on E! "Giuliana and Bill." They have shown my girls what a beautiful, healthy relationship looks like and what to look for in a husband someday! She's inspired me to make an appointment for a SUPER *long* over due check up of my own. I've been dragging my feet about this for years but made an appointment today to have a mammogram this Thursday. I suggest all my sweet friends reading this do the same! So thank you, Giuliana! You're going to beat this thing and continue to be FABULOUS!!! We've never met but you've captured our hearts and we love you. Your friends in Texas~~~XOXO

Nailing it!!

I had a revelation not long ago, as I looked at the silver tray that was overflowing with oodles of nail polishes my daughter & I have collected. I realized that there was a much better way to organize them AND to clear up counter space in the process! I looked online for an "acrylic wall rack for nail polishes", the kind you see in salons, and this popped up! I wish I could recall the name of the company for you, but if you just google it, you'll find TONS of places to order one for your wall! I hung it behind my daughter's bathroom door and it's fabulous! All her friends love to come over and paint their nails, as well, so it's fun for them to be able to see all the choices! Just a little idea for you to get more organized! Now go have an awesome day! XOXO