I’m giving away my very first pair of Havaianas ~ embellished with some simple diamond-esque studs for a little bling!
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite pair of flops and one of your fave Summer traditions, a trip you have planned or what you’re looking forward to doing over the next 3 months.
A winner will be chosen randomly (www.random.org) and announced next weekend. Giveaway open until midnight Pacific on Friday, June 11, 2010.
I must tell you that the flops are size 9 (US) or 41-42 (Havaiana sizing). If you don’t have big feet like me, you may know someone who does that you can pass these along to. They are brand-new, original tag intact and come from a smoke-free home (…going back to my eBay selling days!).
They will come with this cute coordinating gift bag, too.
It’s toasty today…we were wimps and stayed inside this afternoon.
Jay had to go into the office for a bit so while the kiddos stamped and crayoned some birthday cards for “Baby Ryan”, I tested a marshmallow on a stick idea and bling’d my first pair of Havaianas.
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I unfortunately discovered Kraft “Toasted Coconut” marshmallows at Super Wal-mart.
They do not carry them at the regular Wal-mart, Target, or any grocery stores (that I’ve seen) ~ just Super Wal-mart. Weird.
Anyhoo, you know me and coconut. There they were, in the cart with the rest of the stuff.
I wanted to sort of recreate the Samoas (Caramel Delights) Girl Scouts cookies.
I just cut some lollipop sticks in half, stuck them about halfway into the marshmallows, twirled the ‘mallows around in some caramel topping (just the kind from a jar that you would use on ice cream. no need to heat), put them in the freezer for about an hour (preferably on some wax paper), microwave some Wilton chocolates or chocolate chips (50% power for a minute) and stir until smooth. Remove marshmallows from freezer and twirl them around in the chocolate. Place back in freezer for 10 minutes or so to set up.
Share them with friends so you won’t eat them all.
We’re taking them down to Ryan’s 1st Birthday celebration…”Happy Day, Sweet Ryan!”
I cheated and used 2T worcestershire sauce in place of the beef broth. I also used 90/10 ground beef.
Two ready to go and two waiting for the tops:
Next time I have to figure out how to crimp the edges better, but how good do these look:
Brie oozing EVERYWHERE!
Pardon the iceberg…I forgot the arugula at the store.
I made a little garlic aioli, too.
I also hollowed out the kaiser rolls a bit before toasting. The burgers sat nicely in the little hole and less carbs!
Oh, but I guess the aioli makes up for that….
These burgers are super filling and the 1.5 pounds of meat makes 4 so we’ll have them again for lunch tomorrow.
I served them with Sun Chips and watermelon.
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I heard about the $1 flip flop sale at Old Navy today and was up bright and early to run other errands.
Then I realized I’d be over by O.N. and decided to pick up a couple pairs of cheap flops and try my hand at “blinging” them out a bit.
I then went to Michael’s and grabbed some E-6000 glue and Kohl’s for some little earrings to add-on and embellish them a little.
It’s not much, but they turned out pretty cute:
I like using earrings because you can just poke them down in the little thingy that goes between your toes and then douse with some E-6000 and you’re good to go.
Now that I know how easy it is, I’m going to perk up some Havaianas next!
Holden & I went to TJ Maxx this morning while Elliott was at school.
Wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but since I’m always buying clothes for the kiddos, I was mostly in “ME” mode.
Right off the bat I found a cute Roxy tank in the Junior’s section (shocker….it fits believe it or not!) for $10. Super cute ~ racerback.
After checking out the Kids/Toy section and peeling Holden away, I waltzed past the clearance dress rack only to find a gorgeous orange dress….with a spaghetti strap halter look that I just love!
I normally don’t try stuff on when I have the kids with me, but I HAD to see if this beauty fit.
Holden is still whining to go back to the toy department and trying to climb out of the cart as we arrive at the dressing rooms. The woman gives him the number to hold and we go into the handicapped room. No sooner do I strip down and he bolts out under the curtain. I’m standing there yelling at him to come back in and the dressing room attendant says, “Don’t worry…I’ll watch him.” Um…..OK, but since I don’t trust ANYONE anymore these days I step out there in my bra, orange dress up around my waist and finish getting into it right out in the front where everyone is checking in! Whatevs….gotta do whatcha gotta do.
The nice woman zipped me up and….the dress fits like a glove.
I am so pleased! Now I have a couple options for Elliott’s graduation and dance recital.
Even though Holden was at the edge of our bed at 5:46am holding a diaper and wipe just waiting patiently for me to open my eyes, our Thursday got off to a great start.
I managed to get him out of his jammies and dressed prior to 8:00 ~ this is a feat in itself.
Elliott was dressed in her cute brown and white pinstriped dress for her “Cap & Gown” pictures this morning (didn’t matter what she had on though, it wasn’t going to show!).
They were playing nicely while I actually applied make-up, flat ironed my ‘do and put on my new fun scarf:
We were ready to head out the door to school by 8:19am! Things were going our way…we had our “X” for xylophone puzzle piece for Share Day and the letter ‘X” (that’s a hard one!) and a sippy filled with chocolate milk.
We were on schedule to get to school 5 minutes early (another rarity) and wouldn’t you know it…the darn arm at the train tracks was stuck so the traffic was major backed up. I tried to outsmart everyone and go make a U-turn…NOPE! Still stuck. Tried to go make a right and another U-turn and got stuck again! We were now 5 minutes LATE!
But then, things turned around and Holden and I got several errands done in 2 hours. Post Office, bank, Dollar Tree & Wal-mart! Jealous?
We I caved and grabbed these at the checkout:
They are very tasty and proven to help keep a 3-year old awake in the car on the ride home!
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I also wanted to share a few of my recent Targé finds aside from my colorful scarf.
I’ve mentioned my affinity for the reddish-orange clearance stickers, right? Well, I hit the jackpot last Friday on my pre-Mother’s Day Weekend “splurge”.
Head to toe…
Fedora ~ $3.24
For those bad hair/haven’t had a chance to cover the grays days!
Then I found this number for either Elliott’s graduation or dance recital:
It’s super cute on! $6.24!
Thinking about wearing it with these:
Also über cheap from…you know where!
Then, in honor of flipflopfollies.com, I had to pick up these:
Again, $3.74! Would’ve gotten them in every color, but this was it.
So, let me recap: hat, scarf, dress & flops = Like $17 (I’m cheap like that!)
This season I am totally NOT into American Idol…I almost hate to say it.
I started off with gusto during the auditions and Hollywood week because who doesn’t like to watch all the complete fools come in and “think” they are the next American Idol?
But, then I just kind of stopped watching. And not really caring. And I kind of feel Un-American.
I’ve watched every single show of every single season. I look forward to January when the auditions start up again. But, this year, something happened. Yes, I do feel a little “left out” because I don’t really know what’s going on, who sang what, who was the the bottom, etc.
The guy I liked went home a couple weeks ago…the guy with the glasses…I don’t even know his name. I don’t even know how he did in the actual competition. I just really liked him in the auditions.
I do like Big Mike. I did see his rendition of “This Woman’s Work” and watched that over and over.
Tuesday nights are BUSY on our DVR….The Biggest Loser, Lost, Glee and American Idol. I guess something had to give.
Maybe it’s Ellen…I LOVE me some Ellen, but maybe I just never got into her being the new judge. It’s not because I miss Paula or anything. I dunno. I’m just not into it…
I think it just boils down to getting my priorities straight. This year I am getting out there and being more active. I guess I just don’t have time to watch “everything” on T.V. And that is perfectly OK with me. I would never miss The Biggest Loser. Or Glee. Or The Real Housewives. OK, so I still have a few priorities to iron out!
Sorry, Simon, Randy, Kara, Ellen & Ryan…it’s not you, it’s me.
Last night I drug myself to the workout room and put in almost an hour and 45 minutes on the elliptical ~ 10 miles. Wasn’t planning on it…but the Real Housewives of New York helped me get through!
You know, I really like Alex. I think she’s my favorite. Maybe it’s because she’s the only one with kids around the same age as mine, but she seems just more “no frills” than the rest. And, I really wish Jill & Bethenny would make up already!
{Photo: jimhalterman.com}
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Glee
I finally watched this week’s episode of Glee last night ~ ode to Madonna.
{Photo from www.telegraph.co.uk}
Dear Glee,
I’m “Crazy For You”.
I thank my “Lucky Star” that you came into my life.
I want to tell the world to “Open Your Heart” and watch you if they aren’t doing so already.
I was beginning to think my week was “Borderline”, but after watching you, it’s FANTASMIC!
Thank you for showing me “Where’s The Party” on Tuesday (or Thursday!) nights.
Your trying-not-to-be-so-“Material Girl”,
Amy
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Autism Speaks
Tomorrow morning we’re heading to the Rose Bowl for our 2nd annual walk with Team Intuit. It’s supposed to be gorgeous this weekend and I can think of nothing better than doing a 5K for a great cause with the sun shining, the blue skies surrounding and the beautiful San Gabriels in sight.
If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
Thank you!
Autism Speaks ~ It’s Time To Listen
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Rx: DVDs
On another note, a good friend of a good friend just received the devastating news that their 3-year old son has been diagnosed with Acute Childhood Leukemia. My friend, Alicia, is looking for friends to donate their gently used DVDs (suitable for 3 year olds, of course) to this sweet little boy to help him as he goes through treatment at Denver Children’s Hospital. Once he is through his treatments, they will be gifted to the hospital so that other children can enjoy them during their stay.
I know that we have more movies than we know what to do with, so we’ll be packing some up and sending them off.
If you’re interested, please leave a comment, e-mail or Facebook me and I will let you know where to send them.
Again, many thank yous!
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Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
{Photo: allrecipes.com}
A new, healthy recipe coming your way this evening. This one is for my friend, Lisa and it comes from one of my new favorite blogs! Lisa, let’s see how it compares to Sabor’s soup! It looks muy delish!
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Happy Friday!
P.S. Can’t figure out how to turn the text black on this post!?!
Don’t know why I didn’t post this yesterday on April Fool’s Day…nobody would’ve believed me!
While strolling through Valencia Town Center, I swear I saw Derek J from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. No joke…
I mean how can you mistake this outfit ~ ultra tight skinny jeans and all! No, he was not in pumps, but he did have a handbag!
I tried not to stare, but instead of being “star stuck”, I was more trying to figure out what the heck he was doing in Valencia! Yes, there are a lot of TV shows and movies filmed out here, but…………?
This makes the second “famous” person that I’ve seen since living here ~ the first being Steve O from Jackass at The Grove.
Anyway, it made me laugh and I wish I would’ve stopped and talked to him, but we were on our way out and he was on his way in to I don’t know where!
Elliott was all dressed in her heart leotard and we were ready to go until she says, “It’s windy out today, so I need to wear tights!” Again, I explained that she really didn’t have any that matched her outfit and that she would be warm once she got into class. Well, 4 (almost 5) year olds have a different agenda…she shuffled through her sock drawer and pulled out a pair of tights and proclaimed, “These match because they also have hearts!”
And, well…yes they did, so this is how we ventured to class today:
Happy as a clam with her “matching” outfit, Twinkle Toes Skechers & honey nut Cheerios for snack!
All her classmates were in pastel pink leotards with little sheer pastel pink skirts, hair pulled back out of their faces, and then there was my Rainbow Bright holding her own out there amongst her peers. I got such a chuckle out of it.
This concoction later had an added dimension with a cheetah print hoodie. Wish I woulda had the Nikon handy then.
Looks like I need to find some neutral colored tights or hope that the soon-to-come warmer weather will discourage these Punky Brewster-esque moments…although I think it’s kinda cute.
Between Holden in his perpetual pajamas and Elliott in her spirited dance wear, I’m starting to think that they are both developing a sense of confidence at a young age and I can only see that as a positive thing.
Hoping you have a wacky, colorful, striped, full of character weekend ahead!
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