Find me at my new site BeginToCraft.com

This page is no longer being updated or maintained. Come check out my new page since mid 2012 at www.begintocraft.com     I have expanded, and become The Savvy Southern Parent as well.   Check me at with the Vyzion Radio team. Everyday Epic Media, and more.    

Fun Fashion that adds pops of color to your wardrobe with minimal cost.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of No nonsense for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My style is evolving, if you follow me on Pinterest, you see a lot of my style. I like layered options. It has to be farmgirl chic, and stand up to my kids. I like to look cute, and stylish, but on a budget. Tights have been a part of my wardrobe since Middle school. They pair well with any of my boots, and can change an outfit so much just by using different tights. I usually have a lot of neutral items in my closet and then can change up the feel of them with accessories like jewelry, scarves, and tights. A lot of my clothes are basic browns, blacks, and some grays lately- it is the newest chic color. I made a really cute gray and white chevron skirt just before Thanksgiving. It is perfectly trendy, made to fit, and would really change up the look with different pops of color for tights.

Similar to this look:

 

 

To keep the look within a budget, you can buy No nonsense tights at local food and drugstores, as well as the chain/mass retailers, because they are super affordable. It is all the brand I wear most often and the longest- way back to those high school and college days. I don't have time for nonsense, so I buy what I know works and can afford- especially since a kid could poke a hole in any tights with those magic fingers they have.

No nonsense has reinvented themselves and even have a new face to represent this fun and colorful new line. Jill Martin is not only a fashion expert, but is an Emmy award-winning TV personality, is the NY Access Hollywood correspondent, and co-author of NY Times Best Seller " I Have Nothing to wear" So- she is totally a perfect fit to represent them.

Keep up with the changes going on at No nonsense through Facebook ( No nonsense on Facebook) and Twitter (@benononsense). Find a retailer near you: No nonsense tights and leggings

{Riding High Ministries}

We had the honor of attending an amazing event at our church on June 9th. Todd Pierce, Chaplain for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) came and presented "Born Wild, Created to be Free". If you have not seen this or do not have the opportunity to view it locally, I highly recommend you checking out his website for a video of one. Click here for one version. 

Riding High Ministries~ Todd Pierce

Denver UMC in the Denver of the East (Denver, NC) hosted a Faith Family Fest. You can see pictures below of our family and friends enjoying each other's company.

These next few pictures depect a lot of what Todd did in "breaking" the horse.

He mentioned how we are like the horse with GOD. We don't know who he is or what he wants at first, but we just want to get away. Its the fear of what He is and what He wants from you.

This horse did this, running from Todd for at least 30 min.

Finally he turned towards Todd to see what he wanted- Todd compared this to us acknowledging God.

Then back to running because we don't know what He might ask us to do.

Then eventually if we give him a chance, just like getting a horse ready to be ridden, you have to build up trust. The horse had to trust that Todd was there to help and not hurt him, to give him something more. We are to be the same way with God, trust he is going to give us something more than we think we are or can do. Something that seems to inhibit us but opens us up to be more.

It was a fully moving presentation. Hearing Todd talking to the horse, telling him I love you, I want to work with you, to show you something, to teach you. I kept hearing God telling me the same thing. We keep turning away just like this horse did.

We know for sure this was a "New to Todd Pierce" horse, as it came from a local horse farm Cherry Acre Farms, near my parents. Here you see the horses owner talking with Todd after the show.

My daughter had to talk to Todd "aka The Cowboy"  after and he was gracious enough to take her in directly to the horse to pet him. Talk about a slightly scared Mama with her baby in with a very recently wild horse..... But I trusted Todd.

Next thing I know, she is sitting up on the horses back. Can you see the smile on her face....

After she made it back to me, I asked her if she liked being on the horse, and she said "No I was scared to death, it was a WILD horse mommy."

Love that kid. I hope you will open yourself up to viewing this and having an open mind about it if you are not a Christian. I know many times we are viewed as close-minded, I don't believe I am. I strive to live up to a standard. I fail daily, hourly even. I am just forgiven. I don't give up, I get back up and try. I try to live striving for an ideal. Yes it may not be what the world today is like- it may not be reality, but honestly I don't like the reality of today. I strive for Christ. I strive for Heaven and the things of God. Like it or not, agree or not, that is what I am about. This is what Christ calls us to.

I don't share my faith very openly here. I don't want people to think this is just for Christians, but I am not afraid or ashamed of who and what I am. I am available to answer questions and talk off line (begintocraft@gmail.com, this is not a place for a debate. I will delete any unsavory comments.  I just felt called to share.

Have a wonderful week! And Thanks for reading.

{Hot Deal, Crocs at Zulily}

Zulily

Daily Deals for Moms, Babies & Kids - up to 90% off!

 

Just a quick note to let you know that Zulily has Crocs on sale up to 60% off for the whole family! Go Check it out now.


(clicking on this link helps support this blog)

{New Coupons}

$1.00 off HORMEL CURE 81 ham

$1.00 off HORMEL ALWAYS TENDER meat

$2.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque Ribs

$1.00 off LLOYD'S Tubs or BBQ

$1.00 off 2 HORMEL Bacon Toppings

$1.00 off 2 HORMEL Chili products

$3.00 off POLLY POCKET FLIP '‘N SWIM Playset

$2.00 off Thomas & Friends Engine 3-Pack

$5.00 off Fijit Friend Interactive Figure

$5.00 off Discover 'n Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym

$10.00 off My Little Snugabunny Cradle 'n Swing

  

{Notice: Changes Ahead}

 

I am very excited to tell you that there are several changes coming. We are in the process of switching from blogger to wordpress. We also have a new design going up and hope this will streamline us and allow us to take the next step. I will also be at Type A Parent Conference later this week.

 

 

 So please bear with us as we go through some changes.

 

I look forward to hearing your feedback!

 

Freebie Friday {crown}

A Reminder that Freebie Friday goodies are sponsored by MyMemories. They have an awesome scrapbooking/project software and provide tons of freebies on their Facebook page, website, and special ones through Sponsor Blogs like mine. I will be posting an update and Giveaway again with them soon so please check into how many things you can do with them.

These new projects that are available for Freebie Friday via MyMemories Suite are compatible with their software for easy projects. Don't worry- you can still use them with other software but it is easiest with MyMemories Suite. All you do is open it in their software and customize it with your pictures.

The latest freebies are wonderful project ideas ready to go. You can still personalize these. They are available to customize or print and use immediately. This would make my little Princess so happy, and when it gets torn up or chewed up by the dog or lost or whatever, you can print a new one. Also if you are doing a Princess themed party, you can print these out for the guests. Enjoy and Happy Friday!

You have one week to download this freebie. Click here to get it now

Remember, I will be sharing a new freebie every week.

If you have not purchased the software yet, you can do so here: MyMemories

Use my code for a discount:

CODE: STMMMS72256

(I do get compensated if you use this)

They have a great social media presence and support group:

Blog- http://blog.mymemories.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593

Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

Tutorials on how to use the software and tips can be found here.

{Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Veggies} Giveaway

Do you ever have trouble getting your kids to eat healthy? Do they tell you they don't like something when you know they have not even tried it? Yes, you don't say....

I am all about kids eating healthier options than processed foods. I like that my kids eat a lot of fruits and veggies but it still can be difficult to get them to try things and I know a lot of people don't use our method of- you eat 3 bites of everything on your plate regardless of if you like it or not.  For us, we just tell them it is a balanced meal and keeps them healthier.

If you want to see how this works then please check out the reviw for Copy Kids Eat Fruits and Veggies here at my friend April's page Krazy Klippers. I am glad she gave me the opportunity to join up with her to share in this giveaway opportunity to you! It is an easy entry- Just like my Facebook page!

Enter the Giveaway here:


a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Tropical Traditions Coconut oil}

There are many uses for coconut oil. I try to live a life using more natural products and choose healthier options for us without losing the taste we love. Coconut oil has many health benefits without losing taste, and no - it doesn't taste like coconut really at all.

 From Tropical Traditions website:
There are many uses of coconut oil and many ways to incorporate it into one’s diet. Since it is a stable cooking oil, one can simply replace unhealthy oils in their diet with coconut oil. Since it is a solid most of the time at room temperature or when refrigerated, it can be a butter or margarine substitute for spreads or for baking. Any recipe calling for butter, margarine, or any other oil can be substituted for coconut oil.

 

Some may say I am naive or biased because I do love coconut but I found this taste more like coconut water you buy in the store as a drink, which personally I don't like the taste. The first thing I used this on is the bread machine homemade bread recipe shared on MoneySaving Mom.

This is So yummy- I make it at least once a week, I also make the bread machine dinner rolls. And none of them have a coconut taste to it. It washes off easily and if you lick it off your fingers its not yucky like other oils.

I have also used it to coat my pans before baking. It doesn't take much and it spreads easily.

If you do a little research around the internet, you can find all kinds of way to use coconut oil, including to help with skin conditions like eczema- many of you that read this blog know my son has severe food allergies that mostly affect his skin with various breakouts, severe eczema being one of them. This is something I felt safe adding to his skin since if he eats it or licks it off- crazy kid- it won't hurt him.

Here are a few other ways you can use Coconut oil:
-diaper cream
-hair conditioner
-skin moisturizer
- ingredient for homemade toothpaste and deodorant
-replacement in frying


You can find Tropical Traditions here:

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/

http://www.facebook.com/TropicalTraditions

Be sure to sign up for their newsletter. They email out great deals to save money on this. Honestly, I will continue buying it. I received this product in February and just ran out. I ordered more with a group to save money- a co-op of sorts.

I did receive product to review for free, but my opinions and review are my own.

{Totsy- Discount shopping site}

  Totsy

Totsy has a couple of great shoe sales going on today!
Favorite Toddler Brands under $10 and for women - Euro Style Shoes for just $10! 

Up to 90% off for Babies, Kids & Moms!

 Sign up for Free to get notified of the great sales they have. clicking this link helps support this site.

  

{HouseParty.com & The Lucky One}

This post will cover a few things. First, if you have never signed up for a House party, or heard of them, go register now. Be able to try out products for companies by hosting a party in your home, inviting your friends, and sharing pics and feedback afterwards. You have to fill out a survey first for each party you want to host. There are lots of topics from adult themes to home décor/projects, and even food and kid items. Anyone can sign up and it is free. You will usually even be sent coupons and goodies to share with your guests. This is a way that companies can build their business and get real reviews by word of mouth.

Recently I was selected to host a Nicholas Sparks “The Lucky One” party. I love Nicholas Sparks books and have read most of them. I have even seen most of the movies. I received a sweet little box of goodies from House Party and set them out around my living room for guests to see what they would be able to take with them.  I think it turned out pretty sweet. I love the forum on the website where people can share their décor ideas for these parties. I had a fun little turn out with my friends and then we dove into reading the book.

I read the book in a week, while also juggling 3 kids, one of them being a newborn, along with blogging and regular housework. It was an easy read, as most of Sparks’ books are. I will say it was not his typical ending and I was pleasantly surprised with it. It was romantic and thoughtful. I do recommend it for those that typically like his writing style and romance stories.  I have not seen the movie yet, but will probably rent it once it comes out since it is hard finding a sitter for 3 kids under 5 and still afford a night at the movies.

Have you read The Lucky One? Do you typically like Sparks’ novels? What is your favorite?

I have a giveaway for you from this party. We had a few books leftover as well as a movie poster, bookmarks, and a signed bookplate from Nicholas Sparks.  I am not going to do rafflecopter on this giveaway. There will be one Prize pack that will include the book, signed bookplate, and a few other goodies, and then I have several copies of just the book, so please just comment  “I WANT IT” and make sure I have a way to reach you If you win. This giveaway will be up for 2 weeks. You have until the 27^th to win.

    

{Sneakpeeq Free offer}

Free Olive Natural Beauty Lip Balm with Purchase

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Click here to sign up for Sneakpeeq FREE
By clicking this link you are helping to support this site.

{Discovery Place} Down on the Farm

Have I told you how much I LOVE Discovery Place?! yes, well can I tell you again? Humor me, I have seen them expand to the Nature Museum and Discovery Place Kids over the years. I love this idea they are doing at Charlotte Nature Museum. Having a small farm myself, I know how much my kids and friends kid enjoy coming over. Hope you get a chance to check this out.

Down on the Farm at Charlotte Nature Museum
Saturday, June 16; 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Charlotte, NC –Hay, that’s enough horsing around! We are giving two (green)thumbs up for local farms and their animals when Charlotte Nature Museum hostsits June Creature Feature event, Farm Day, Saturday, June 16, from10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

"Ewe"can discover the amazing ways farm animals are alike and different from animalsyou might find in your own backyard. For example, did youknow sheep (Ovis aries), have a split in their upper lip that they use tonibble on leafy delights such as grass, lettuce and other tasty plants? Or,chomp on this fun fact: lettuce is actually a member of the sunflowerfamily. Meet visiting sheep, their lambs, and other animal friends up closeincluding:
·        Goats [Capra aegagrus hircus];
·        Adult and kitten rabbits [Oryctolagus cuniculus];
·        Ducks [Anas sp.];
·        Chickens and chicks [Gallus sp] and; 
·        Miniature horse [Equuscaballus].
Humans like to munch on tasty tidbitsjust as much as their animal friends and our palates even share some of thesame tastes. The fruits and vegetables you eat every day travel fromthe field to your fork, and where they come from can make a big difference tohow they taste. Did you know that we are eating 900% more broccoli than we did20 years ago? Take a bite out of tasty gardening secrets, and find out whylocal farming is important during hands-on demonstrations on backyardgardening. There’smore fun to be had – plow over to the JamesRiver Equipment display and sit on a real life-size tractor!

Kids both human and goat also can enjoy storytime with a menagerie of tales about our animal pals including “LouellaMae, She’s Run Away” by Karen Beaumont Alarcon, “The HungryDuckling” by Deborah Kovacs and “The Cow That Went OINK,” byBernard Most. Go wild during the Puppet Show “Growing Up Wild” andget crafty by making a pig nose mask and scary scarecrows from paper towelsrolls. Trails’ End Store will be offering cool items includingfarm-related coloring books and the Chickyboom Chicken Counting Game.

Also, take root with Fort Wild, an outdoornatural play area funded by The National Wildlife Federation that opens to thepublic on Saturday, June 16. A backyard play habitat that that encouragesunstructured play and exploration of nature, Fort Wild demonstrates howguests can create outdoor play spaces from natural elements found in their ownbackyards.

Creature Features, supported by The Guild ofDiscovery Place, Inc., are monthly special events and include crafts, PuppetShows and storytelling. Creature Feature activities are free with Museumadmission.  Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Membersare free. Parking is free.

Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; andclosed on Monday.

Charlotte NatureMuseum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk amongfree-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in CreatureCavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard.Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programmingincluding hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learningand informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated byDiscovery Place, Inc.

PR Discovery Place: Unearthing a Love for Outdoors!

I have been going to Discovery Place since I was in Kindergarten in the early 80s. I am a scientist by trade and my love for science has to have started back during those wonderful visits at Discovery Place. I learned So much. I had a wonderful time, It was FUN! I am so excited to partner up with them to share with you the events coming up for them. So here is one of the Press Releases. I am excited to take my kids to check this out.

Unearthing a Love for the Outdoors:

Charlotte Nature Museum Announces Fort Wild

Natural play area opens to the public on Saturday, June 16

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 11, 2012)—It’s only natural! Fort Wild, a natural outdoor habitat that encourages unstructured play and exploration of nature, takes root at Charlotte Nature Museum Saturday, June 16. Reminiscent of the type of experience many adults may remember from their own childhoods, Fort Wild focuses on outdoor, child-centered play that fosters healthy growth and development. The National Wildlife Federation, which provided the funding for the project, selected Charlotte Nature Museum as the site of its first backyard play habitat. The exhibit aims to encourage imaginative play in the environment while showing families how they can easily create outdoor play spaces from natural elements found in their own backyards.

“Charlotte Nature Museum digs deep when it comes to connecting children and families to the natural world,” said Lisa Hoffman, Director of Charlotte Nature Museum. “Fort Wild allows children to inquire, reflect, take risks, run and play all while being immersed in this beautiful natural setting. It affords kids the opportunity to be kids, while educating parents on best practices that can be implemented at home.”

Based on the idea that young children love to explore their world, Fort Wild’s natural setting incorporates elements and structures intended to strengthen the development of childhood skills such as creativity, autonomy, collaboration and role-playing. By inspiring young adventurers to directly interact with the outdoors and explore their senses, the space helps facilitate coordination and muscle development, stimulate limitless energy and let imaginations run wild. Fort Wild’s natural play area features settings designed with specific age groups in mind, including:

· See, Touch, Smell—an infant sensory garden that incorporates a variety of textures, smells and colors to facilitate rapidly developing senses.

· Hop, Jump, Dig—a toddler-targeted setting that offers growth and development structures such as logs for balancing, boulders for climbing and sand for digging.

· Dream, Wiggle, Run—designed with active preschoolers in mind, this area includes a Fairy Stump Village and teepee for constructing, building, and creating from gathered natural objects.

· Bird Blind—a special wooden bird blind offers young ornithologists the chance to learn the basic skills of bird-watching.

· Share, Act, Do—an open lawn for running, deconstructed wind chimes for musical instruments, a small stage for dramatic play and planting beds create endless play opportunities.

· The Spot—tweens and teens love private spaces. A simple arrangement of logs or boulders provides a place to meet with friends while still being visible to caregivers.

· Tend to Grow—a vegetable garden nurtured and cared for by children encourages healthy eating while teaching about plant lifecycles, pollination, beneficial insects and more.



According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children 8-18 years old devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to entertainment media in a typical day. Kids nowadays spend less time playing outside than any other generation in modern history. With dwindling access to unregulated green spaces, the increasing lure of technology, overscheduled children and parental fears, finding opportunities for natural play experiences has become more challenging. In the last two decades, childhood has largely moved indoors partly due to this trend, even as research shows that children who spend regular time outdoors grow up with an affinity for nature and are healthier and happier. Charlotte Nature Museum’s Fort Wild is part of a growing national trend that aims to foster an appreciation of nature, develop environmental awareness and bring back a defining part of childhood.

“Our Museum has long been a safe zone where parents and children can freely explore together, so it was a logical step for us to build Fort Wild,” said Hoffman. “It is a space where families are encouraged to observe, touch, listen, smell and have personal experiences with nature’s loose parts. Parents have the option to be a facilitator and encourage their kids’ innate curiosity or take a step back and let their little one take the lead on a natural adventure.”

Charlotte Nature Museum’s outdoor project also serves as an example of how parents can transform their own backyard into natural play and learning areas. By creating easy-to-maintain spaces that encourage children to climb, dig, collect, hide and build, adults can help younger generations rediscover nature play and why it is important. Fort Wild was designed by the Natural Learning Initiative at North Carolina State.

Fort Wild will officially open to the public when Charlotte Nature Museum hosts its June Creature Feature event, Farm Day, on Saturday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more information call 704.372.6261 x300, email info@charlottenaturemuseum.org or visit charlottenaturemuseum.org.

About National Wildlife Federation



Since its formation in 1936, National Wildlife Federation has worked with affiliates across the country to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for future generations. NWF seeks to engage and educate its 4 million members, partners and supporters with a focus on restoring habitat, confronting global warming and connecting people with nature. To learn more about NWF’s efforts to get kids outside, visit www.nwf.org/beoutthere.



About Charlotte Nature Museum
 Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc.



Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday. For more information, visit charlottenaturemuseum.org.



About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX Dome Theatre each year.



Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call (704)372-6261, visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.



Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council.
 

{Master Bedroom Decor Ideas}

I am trying to find ways to get my Master bedroom to feel complete. I have several projects to do in there and it is getting there.  So I wanted to share a few things I have found that I think would work in there.

I think one of these mounted on the wall above the nightstands would help clear off the table top and not look so cluttered. We plan to build our own headboard so this could tie in nicely with the rustic looking headboard I want to do, but would still work if I did a basic headboard and covered it in fabric. It is at Ikea for only 19.99.


For Fun- I want a candle version of this over the bathtub- I love the idea  of a chandelier in there but the practicality of if it fell and electrocuted us would not be so fun lol, so the look with candles instead would be nice. At Ikea for $39.99

Headboard :

source

 







Hubby and I will be making this headboard or something like it to go in our room. I am liking the bunting but he is not sold on it. So I will have to figure out something else maybe if it feels incomplete. maybe a painted metal sculpture or something.


Art above my dresser and DIY mirror:

source

I like this idea of using wedding photos above the dresser. Currently I have 2 framed wedding pics in our room. I think I want to put both of them together and place them above my dresser and the DIY mirror I wrote about here.

So what do you think? Any suggestions? Are you working on any projects or re-doing your master bedroom?