The Best Halloween Movies (Non-Scary)

With Halloween approaching I'm getting more in the spirit everyday because I love Halloween, lately it's been the holiday that made me wish I had kids. I love trick or treaters, I love getting the house all scary on the outside and cute on the inside. I would love to be able to get dressed up with my kids and take them trick or treating. At this moment we don't have kids and are not ready to have kids yet, but it's coming. I say by next October I hope to be spawning a child (sorry that was kind of evil sounding, but hey, it's Halloween time. Hehe. So until then I love watching my favorite movies and here they are.

Hocus Pocus

Who doesn't love this movie?! I remember watching it when I was little, it definitely brings back childhood memories. Plus who doesn't love Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker??!!!

Nightmare Before Christmas

I love Tim Burton, this is one of my favorites of his, plus it doubles as a Halloween movie and a Christmas movie. Am I the only one who watches it during Christmas? Of course the songs stay in my head all day too. Have you ever heard Marilyn Manson's version of "This is Halloween" if not listen to it. Its good!

The Addams Family

Ahhhh the Addams Family another childhood movie, love Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams. Lots of smiles and laughs through that movie. Plus I helped out and was in a Anti-Drug rendition of The Addams Family, so it's very near and dear to my heart.

Harry Potter (All of them of course)

So it may not been all about Halloween with Harry Potter movies, but it definitely gets you in the theme with Ghosts, Witches, Trolls, Spells, and Cauldrons. I could watch Harry Potter any day really,  this is one of my movies I will watch during Christmas too.

Practical Magic

Who doesn't love Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman?! Two of my favorite actresses, this movie is not scary but on the comedy side, even has a romantic love story in it, even better.

Name Brands at Disney Parks That you Love

When it comes to brand names collaborating with Disney, it makes my heart skip a beat. I have many  products of those brands that collaborated, and now I am addicted to these brands. There is even news of a new brand getting it's own Disney spin that I will talk about as well, but here are some of the brands I love that now have their own Disney version.

Dooney and Bourke

Here are my favorites!

Disney Sketch (my first bag) All time favorite!

Disney Sketch Leather ( I use this when I go to Disneyland or when I need to be hands free)

Alex and Ani

Unfortunately, these sell like hot cakes on the disney store website so if you want any of the princesses or the popular ones you will have to go to one of the parks to get it. I got mine at Disneyland this past August, cause I couldn't get them online. Click here to go to the Disney Store and see what they currently have.

Vera Bradley

I am really picky on Vera Bradley designs but when they came out in Disney designs I knew I'd like them all. They came out about over a year ago, and have since then gotten more designs.  Here is just some of the designs. 

Midnight with Mickey large duffle

I love this new design that is now available on the Disney Store Website, definitely gives me a Frozen color vibe to me.

(All photos above are from the Disney Store Website none are mine.)

A new brand that will be coming to Disney is PANDORA and I am excited!! I love the charms and the bracelets but never bought any. Now that it comes in Disney, it will be my new best friend. Product launches November 3rd at both parks and online. PANDORA stores will have select charms starting October 31st.

The collection will include 25 different styles, and an additional 16 that will be exclusive to the parks. They will be sold on the Disney Store website but only select ones, PANDORA stores and at the two parks.

Here is some up close shots to some of the charms...

Disneyland and Disney World

"Mickey Mania"

Minnie Sparkling Ear Hat

Arn't these so adorable!! I can't wait, who else is excited?!

(All photos were taken from DisneyParks Blog none are mine.)

Love it or Leave it

Lush...Love It!

 Lush is a company that makes fresh handmade cosmetics. They only use fresh organic ingredients, and they only buy from companies that do not conduct or commission testing on animals. All of the products are invented by them, by hand, with little to no preservatives. They even tell you when they were made, by who, and when they expire. Most of their products lasts well over a year. I bought most of mine back in April of 2014 and I still have them, and most are not even half way empty, because the product goes along way and I love that about these products.


Here is a list of pros and cons for this product that I thought of...

Pros:

~Animal friendly
~Organic
~Fresh
~Little to no preservatives
~Product goes a long way

~Hypo Allergenic

Cons:

~Price

~They don't smell like Bath and Body Works

(people sometimes think that Lush will but it wont, it's more of natural smells.)

Finding cons was really hard cause I really don't see any, the ones I mostly would hear would be about the price and the smell. Some people like the strong smells of Bath and Body, which are to me, not natural at all. These definitely smell different but in a good way. When you are smelling the product it's like your smelling all of what mother nature has to offer, and boy does it smell good! The point is price, there are different sizes so if your on a budget they have options. But when you buy the product and literally divide up the amount of months you have it for it sounds so much more of a better investment. Plus since you use less it goes longer than normal shampoo or body wash would. Here is an example, I bought the "Flying Fox" body wash and I got the biggest one, which is 16.9 oz for $28.95. I have had it since April, and I still have over half the product. So figure since April (about 6 months) and the other half will most likely be the same (6 months) so divide 12 months into the price and I am technically spending around $2.41 a month. Seriously that is awesome for fresh, handmade, organic product. 

Plus this company created a hand and body lotion called Charity Pot, when you purchase it 100% of the profits goes to supporting humanitarian, environmental and animal rights causes locally and around the world. 

Here are some of my favorites from Lush...

Flying Fox Shower Gel
 Makes you feel and smell fresh and clean.

American Cream Conditioner

Smells soooo good!

Buffy

My favorite! You will be so moisturized you wont even need to put on any lotion after you shower and you'll be ridding your skin of dead skin cells.

Lip Service Lip Balm

Really works wonders, and my husband even loves it too! Perfect for that really dry weather day or just because.

Sex Bomb

I used this on my wedding night and I loved it! It smells so good and definitely gets people in the mood.

Overall, I love this company, and the customer service is pretty fabulous too! I shopped at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. Go say hi to the girls there, they are all amazingly friendly and super helpful. They helped me get my skin all ready for my big move to AZ and my wedding day.

Let me know what you think about the product I would love to talk Lush!


All pictures were taken from Lush's website none are mine.

Panera Copycat: Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

What can I say about Panera Bread?! It's AMAZING! I love lots of different things from there, but two of my favorites are the Greek Salad and the Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Soup.  I usually get the you pick two and choose a cup of broccoli and cheddar soup and half of a greek salad when I go there. Unfortunately, I live in a city in Arizona that doesn't have a Panera bread. So when I started craving some I searched high and low and found a copycat recipe on Pinterest, which of course I pinned right away and had to try it. 

This recipe is just as good as going to Panera Bread especially with some sourdough bread. I think next time I might add it in a sourdough bread bowl. YUM! I am so glad I have this recipe, now I don't have to wait until I am in San Diego to have this amazing soup.

Ingredients 

1 (12 oz) bag of broccoli florets 

1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups half and half (I used fat free)

2 cups chicken stock ( I used unsalted, it still has sodium but just a lot less)

1 (8 oz) bag of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Melt 1 tbsp of butter then add onion and saute them.

2. In a separate pot, add remaining butter and melt, then add flour. Cook for approx. 5 minutes over medium heat, whisking continuously with a whisk. 

3. Slowly add in half and half, continue stirring.

4. add chicken stock, stir and let simmer for 20 minutes. 

5.  add broccoli, Sautéed onion, and carrots. Let it cook for additional 25 minutes over low heat.

6. Add cheese and stir until melted, add nutmeg, and pepper and salt to taste.

JUST A NOTE

(I did not have carrots when I made this the first time that is why they are missing in the picture.)

I found this recipe on Mommy Musings Blog

Hope you guys enjoy!!

Jalepeno Popper Grilled Cheese, OMG

When it's one of those nights when I want to be lazy but really still want a decent meal. I usually choose this one.I love jalapeno poppers as good bar/junk food and I rarely eat them anymore. When I was going out a lot in college I always ordered these out with friends. So here is a quick and very yummy meal that my husband loves and so do I.

Serving size: 2

Ingredients:

4 slices of whole wheat bread (sourdough is amazing as well)

2 pieces of cooked reduced fat bacon (can sub turkey bacon as well)

1 jalapeño pepper

 2 tablespoons  Cream Cheese

1 tablespoon of butter

Directions:

1. First you want to turn your oven to broil and cook the jalapeños until the skins are black and blister. You then remove them from the oven and transfer immediately to plastic bag or sealed container to let them cool down so you can handle them. Once cooled down, about 10-20 minutes. Remove the blackened skins and cut into small pieces. While this is going on you can cook your bacon.
2. Spread cream cheese on each piece of bread, top one side of bread with the jalapeños and cut up bacon put that piece on top of other piece.
3. Butter each side of sandwich, and toast in pan over medium heat until bread is toasted, about 4-5 minutes each side.

Enjoy!

DIY Diaper Cake

So instead of talking about food, how about we talk about cake.... a diaper cake that is. A couple years back I got ask by my best friend to be the god parent of her daughter that was born in April. I was over joyed and honored by my best friend. I went baby nuts with clothing and anything else baby, this is where the diaper cake came in. I figured I show you how easy it is to make, so if you have to give diapers for a shower you can do in a unique way instead of just handing over a box.

Supplies:

• Diapers (approx. 72-75) I used Pampers, Size 1, swaddlers.
• Rubber Bands- Skinny ones I used
• Flat base- 12" Wilton cake base
• 15 oz bottle of baby powder.
• 4 oz cheap baby bottle
• Pop up glue dots or double sided mounting stickers

1. First I started rolling the diapers from the top where the design starts to the bottom. I did about 10 of them, make sure to roll them tight so the whole cake looks uniform. Once rolled put a rubber band around the middle of the diaper, don't make the rubber too tight so the diaper wont pucker.

2. I then put the powder in the middle of the Wilson base and took the rolled diapers and placed them around the powder and put another rubber band around those 10 diapers to make them stay in place. After that continue to wrap more diapers and then start on the second layer of the bottom half, that layer took about 14-15 diapers. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: Rolled diapers should have the ends facing in so they do not show, as well as, white ends up, color will possibly show on one end of diaper once rolled,  you want that facing downward.

3. The Final layer took 20-21 diapers, use a rubber band to secure, as you can see there is a pattern. :O)

4. After you finish the bottom cake layer start working on the last two: middle and top layers. First take one of the mounting stickers and attach it to the bottom of the 4 oz bottle once on  secure it to the top of the baby powder. Part of the baby powder will still be showing, acting as a center for the cake.

5. Once your center of your cake is secure start rolling some more diapers if you have not done so already. Then start on the middle layer of the cake, you will need about 8-9 diapers and don't forget to secure with a rubber band.

6. Use about 14-15 diapers for the last ring on the middle layer and secure with a rubber band.

7. Roll about 7 more diapers for the final layer on top. It should cover most of the bottle only the top inside will show but once you decorate it, it will be hidden. Secure that last layer with a rubber band and you are officially done with creating you diaper cake.

The process only took me about an hour.

Now the fun part starts, DECORATING!! This is all up to you, based on theme, sex of baby, and so on. 

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY DECORATING!

Creamy Coleslaw and Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

In life, sometimes those days during the work week get to you, and for me instead of turning to alcohol I turn to comfort food. Yet I know comfort food can be fattening and not good for you. That is why I like using alternatives. So when I decided to make Sloppy Joes, I used my ground deer meat that is taking over my freezer since august from my husband's hunting trip in Utah. I'll show you my freezer in a minute, and you'll see what I mean. 

Now for the coleslaw, I am crazy in love with coleslaw as well as Macaroni salad, but that family recipe is something I'll post later on, be looking for it it's amazing! Anyways back to coleslaw, I like mine creamy, and I always loved KFC's, don't ask me why, I know it is probably so bad for me. I can say once you have homemade coleslaw you wont want any store bought ever again. To help the creamy coleslaw be a little bit on the lower calorie side, I ended up substituting regular mayo for light.

My freezer full of deer meat in different cuts.

Creamy Coleslaw

*Serves about 10 people, 88 calories per serving*

1 cup light mayo

2 tbsp Dijon mustard 

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp celery seed

1 tbsp minced onion

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 (16 oz) bag shredded cabbage with carrots

In a medium size bowl combine mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, minced onion, and salt.  Put cabbage mixture in a large serving bowl, and pour the liquid mixture over cabbage and toss until fully coated with dressing. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving and make sure to eat within 2 days, or until soggy.

Sloppy Joes

*8 servings, 247 calories per sandwich*

1 pound ground turkey, beef, or deer (whichever you prefer)

1 can (10 3/4 oz) reduced sodium condensed tomato soup, undiluted

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp mustard

1/4 tsp pepper

8 hamburger buns ( I bought the hawaiian rolls)

If you want to add extra crunch to the mix add...

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

In large saucepan coated with cooking spray, cook meat and (vegetables if you want to add them) on medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain if necessary (I always drain the fat). 

Stir in soup, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and pepper.

Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Serve on hamburger buns.

I hope you enjoy both these recipes as much as my husband and I did. 

Enjoy!

Shellac Hack

So I really like shellac nails but the price and the fact that you have to soak off the polish takes forever. It's sad that it takes that much time and that's just to get you started. 

I found a way to use regular polish and with a couple extra layers of clear coats, and it will stay for a week or longer. The kicker is it all comes off with nail polish and a cotton swab, no soak at all!

Day 1

Here are the products for this Shellac hack.

•  American Classics, Gelous, which I found at my local Sally Beauty Supply. SECRET TO THE HACK!!
• Seche Vite, Dry Fast Top Coat, which was also purchased at Sally Beauty.
• Color choice of nail polish, I picked two, one for my ring finger, and the other color for the rest of my nails. Colors I chose were OPI - "Espresso Your Style!" and Finger Paints - "Hammered Terra Cotta"

How this process works...

First use a coat of Gelous.

Then a coat of color.

Then a coat of Gelous.

Then a coat of color.
(*Coat of Gelous)
(*Coat of Color)

Last you use the Seche Vite for one coat.
Dry time between coats I used were 2-3 minutes, this is definitely something you do with a glass of wine and a movie. If you don't have this kind of time, then don't try this method.

(Side note* I used three coats total of color and Gelous.)

Day 8

So as you can see after Day 8 there are no chips, but I definitely need a fill and cuticle oil, LOL, sorry for seeing that my friends.