Amazon Gift Card Giveaway with Pounds4Pennies

I have a fun surprise today. It is time to celebrate someone's birthday. Not mine, but a fabulous blogger, Amy from Pounds4Pennies I met in Dallas a few weeks ago. I always love a birthday celebration and who does not love an Amazon Gift Card!?
  

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Rustic Wood Wedding Sign

I spent many, many years planning fabulous weddings...and I gotta tell ya...I miss it (not the long hours...but everything else). Last year an amazing caterer I know asked me to make these rustic wood wedding signs for each of her couples. I love the idea and they are such an amazing wedding keepsake or unique part of the wedding decor.

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It's a S'mores Summer: How to Create a S'mores Bar

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

I believe S'mores are a little taste of heaven on earth! Having a S'more takes me back to camping with my girl scout troop, warm summer nights at the lake with my family, and roaring beach bonfires with friends. In fact we moved from the coast of California one year ago, and my last night in our sleepy beach town we attended a bonfire, surrounded by friends and making S'mores! It was an amazing memory to leave on, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

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Tips for Talking to Your Teen About Underage Drinking

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Anheuser-Busch's Family Talk About Drinking Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for me participation. 

Proms, parties, graduations...summer! This is a time of year filled with celebrations, happiness, and milestones. It is a time when many teens are feeling more grown up. Perhaps they are promoting from middle school to high school. Perhaps that Junior is now a Senior. Or that Senior has just graduated. These milestones can also bring a sense of independence and possibly the urge to explore more adult activities. Those activities could very well include alcohol and underage drinking. As a parent it is our responsibility to educate and discuss these potentially dangerous situations with our children, so they may be able to handle themselves when situations arise.

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Kid Fun: How to Make GOO

My daughter's class recently had a financial literacy day at school. My cutie needed a product to sell and she decided on GOO. Every once in awhile I like to tap into my mom's years and years of preschool teaching expertise...and this time it led us to the proper recipe for making GOO. My daughter is loving this ooey gooey creation...and it is pretty darn easy to make! 

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DIY! Burlap and Canvas Family Heirloom Wreath

Trying to capture and preserve my family's heritage is very important to me. It is also difficult. The older generation - the ones who remember World War II, The Great Depression, and beyond that, as it pertains to my family are gone and have been for a long while. So, I take what I can get, what I can find along the way, and do my best to honor and celebrate where I came from.

This Family Heirloom Wreath is one of my favorite ways to remember my family.

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Bullies Suck

Bullies are heavy on my mind and heart these days. 

So its time to revisit this post.

Help "Stop the Mean."

Pure and simple...Bullies Suck.

Over the last two years,

my family has had to deal with bullies on many levels.

Yeah, don't be fooled, bullies are not always kids...

there are adult bullies, dad bullies, boss bullies, coach bullies, teacher bullies,

mom bullies, cyber bullies, and blog bullies.

photo/graphic credit

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It's Time for a Family Talk About Drinking: Anheuser-Busch Ambassador Program

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Anheuser-Busch's Family Talk About Drinking Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for me participation. I found the topic of underage drinking to be a timely at this time of the year - graduations, proms, special dances - all signs of growing up, and all circumstances when a child might be presented with challenges and circumstances related to alcohol. I thought parenting little ones was tough...and it is, but compared to the challenges, obstacles, and decisions kids face as they grow up, that seems like a piece of cake!

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Moving Away Note Cards (for kids to keep in touch)

I can hardly believe it has almost been one year since we moved from California to Texas...and, no, the transition has not been easy, but we have found a few bright spots, and on of them are the sweet notes my daughter has received from her friends back home.

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Outdoor Buffet Tablescape with Boxwood Topiaries

I adore topiaries and was very excited to work with Balsam Hill on creating beautiful Spring decor with their Boxwood Topiaries.

Growing up my family spent most of our time outdoors. We did not have people over for dinner parties - we had them over for barbecues! For my own personal style, I am somewhere in the middle. I love a casual gathering with friends, good food, and fabulous decor...and I especially love when it is outdoors. When the weather is good, I make every effort to be outdoors, and am so excited to share this (gorgeous) rustic chic outdoor buffet - perfect for Spring or Summer..or in this case Mother's Day!

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DIY Mother's Day Gift (featuring your kids art!)

Mother's Day is HERE (basically). I know I have no gifts for anyone...and then as I was searching for something else, I found this floursack towel I made last year (or quite possibly the year before) with my daughters artwork...TA-DA! Magical, melt-your-heart cuteness for Mother's Day!

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