Captain America Superhero Party with M&M's

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

I am SO thrilled to share this party I threw!  This party featured Captain America, M&Ms and inspired kids & adults to "Be Your Own Superhero" because #HeroesEatMMs.

I went to Walmart & got the most important party prop....M&M's. I got a Large bag of regular M&M's and a bag of the MEGA Peanut M&M's. (Pst: get a coupon for your M&M's here!) Then I grabbed the rest of my supplies some of which included cake mix & frosting, soda, juice, party cups, mini pies, napkins, popcorn, straws.

I put the MEGA Peanut M&M's in clear baggies (from the party section) and topped them with striped paper I folded over, stapled and wrote "Be Your Own Superhero" on the top.

The cake may be my favorite part & mimics Captain America's shield.  I outlined the shape of the star with blue M&M's and filled in the rest of the top with red ones. Then eye-balled a line 2 M&M's wide around the cake.

This snack mix is so easy to whip up for your party! Here's the recipe:

-1/2 C. milk chocolate M&M's
-1 bag popped popcorn (kernels removed)
-1 C. pretzels
-1/4 C. peanuts (optional)
-1/2 bag melted white chocolate chips
Directions:
Pour melted chocolate over all ingredients, mix until evenly coated. Spread in even layer on cookie sheet and let cool. Break into pieces and serve.

The mini pies were purchased at Walmart in the bakery section. Tied up with a napkin and fork and topped with a toothpick paper flag with the flavor written on it.

We had a fun activity for the kids to do while the adults socialized. I printed out blank mask templates onto card stock and set up a kid table with crayons and markers for them to decorate their very own superhero mask. It was a hit!

The kids loved all the treats- especially their very own bag of huge M&M's!

Everyone loved enjoying their M&M's while feeling fueled to be their own superhero like Captain America! You can have some superhero fun too! Head to HeroesEatMMs.com to discover the superhero in you!

Personalized Loaded Nachos Recipe for Gameday with Smart & Final

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

So let's talk football food! Obviously it's football season- if you don't know that, then I kind of envy you! In my family, if there's a game happening (college or pro), you can bet it's on.  Other than cheering for my Fighting Irish, I'm only in it for the food! I created this easy, customizable, crowd-pleasing recipe & it'll make your life even easier on game day! 

I shopped for my ingredient at Smart & Final and grabbed most of them from the canned good aisle and at the end stopped in their produce section and grabbed the rest! Smart & Final carries warehouse size items without a club fee, making shopping easy, less expensive and less daunting to shop in than a big warehouse store. Smart & Final is a perfect place to shop for all your food needs. Easy as can be & their First Street products stood up to the crowd taste test.

So once you've got all your goodness home for a great price, prep it by rinsing, chopping and throwing it in some bowls.

Here's what I use- green onions, avocado, corn black beans, tomato and shredded cheese. Obviously if you're using tomato you'll need to chop it up....I'm not a fan so I opted not to! Make sure your tortilla chips are bite-size so they fit in those cute party cups. They look like short, wide paper cups. Be sure everyone writes their name on theirs so they get the ones they made!

Heat oven to 375 & start by layering chips in your bowl, sprinkle some cheese, corn & beans...

add your avocado (and tomatoes if you choose) then pack on the cheese...

Top with green onions and throw everyone's on a baking sheet & bake for 8-10 minutes.

Hand those out and everyone's got exactly what they want on their nachos! Instant crowd pleaser and little time and effort from you. 

#ChooseSmart with Smart & Final:

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find more recipes here

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Never Forget.

Today I took a few moments to look, listen and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001.  No words can accurately describe the feelings I have, but the tears always come every year.  I was only 11 when it happened, I remember how I found out, where I was when I found out and who told me.  I believe that is something none of us will ever forget.  

We came together as a nation, over this terrible tragedy.  I hope you, too will take a moment to reflect on those who lost their lives and gave their lives to help others.  I am eternally grateful to live in this country, to have the freedoms I have, and to witness the love of complete strangers in times of any devastation that effects this nation.

http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos/911-timeline

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

My pinterest feed is filling with pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING, so that must mean fall is almost here! Despite the still burning temperatures here in the desert, I'm more than willing to embrace delicious flavors while I wait for the weather to catch on. So I'm re-sharing my favorite recipe, one of those "it wouldn't be *blank* without them" recipes.  Well, it wouldn't be fall without these delicious pumpkin chocolate chunk cookies!

They are delicious, light & fluffy cookies.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375. Mix oil & sugar. Blend in egg, pumpkin, milk and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop by tablespoonful on greased cookie sheet. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sparkling Dishes & a Sparkling Soda Recipe

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

I can't be the only one who finds it totally frustrating when you run your dishwasher and when you go to unload it, you find your dishes are STILL dirty and have watermarks.  As if you didn't have enough to do, now you have to scrub them and run it again and cross your fingers you have clean dishes for dinner! So now that you're all fired up, let me introduce you to the  best dishwashing detergent that will change all of that once & for all...

Finish Quantum™ Tablets.

I buy mine at Walmart for the best price and I even have a coupon for you to use to get your own #SparklySavings!  Now you really have no excuse to try (& get hooked on) this product.

I've switched dishwashing detergents a few times in the past few years and have yet to find one like this.  It cleans without me having to scrub every spec off my dishes and I never have that moment of worry when I go to unload my dishwasher. 

Here's undeniable proof that the deteregent I had been using, wasn't getting my glasses nearly as sparkling as Finish did- without changing any way I did my dishes!

                                My LAST detergent            vs.                     Finish Quantum

With all the extra time & happiness I had from sparkling clean dishes, I had my own sparkling celebration!  Start with crushed ice, add 1 Almond Joy Coffee creamer, strawberry soda, a squeeze of a lime and enjoy! Because even though you didn't work hard for those sparkling dishes, you still deserve a reward!

Getting Real: Parenting a Toddler

In July my son turned 3.  And if you've ever been around a lot of children you can attest to the fact that the "terrible twos" really start before they're even two and last far past it. If there were ever a situation where the term "rollercoaster" would be perfect- it's parenting a toddler.  There are incredible highs and proud moments as they're constantly learning and growing and then suddenly they're having a screaming meltdown in Trader Joe's because he doesn't want to be done pushing his little cart. Yes....I apologize that was my son.

Every so often I get compliments on how well-behaved my son is and in my mind I'm rolling my eyes because "this stranger has no idea what I deal with every single day" and then one day as I was told this I had an epiphany.  He's a toddler and the fact that someone noticed enough even after watching him for an hour felt the need to mention it, should make me proud not only of my son but of myself! Parenting is hard work and I only have one...so when someone pays us a compliment, let's pat ourselves on the back!

print via // Tied Ribbon

If you follow me on instagram, I mention my son hitting some milestones lately.  This past year alone has been full of milestones and accomplishments!  Transitioning out of a crib, potty training, overcoming the fear of pooping in a toilet (something about that was TERRIFYING to him), wearing undies all night, learning to talk, counting, and abc's.  Guys- that's a LOT considering he was completely helpless just 3 years ago!  And it has to do with us- parents. Teaching them, being patient, getting down on our knees to talk and often pick our screaming child up off the floor of Target. (My apologies....again)

I recently found the words, "Clayton, you're so perfect!" escape from my lips before the inevitable tantrum ensued, but really- the good times are AMAZING and though the bad times are often terrible and humiliating, I gladly suffer those for the times of pride, overwhelming happiness and bliss of my 3 year old.

print via // brim papery

So as I often remind myself, I share this reminder with you parents...breathe & enjoy the good times.