Create.Simplify.Inspire. #53

Hey everyone! I'm posting this like 24hrs behind schedule, but better late than never, right? It's been another wonderful and busy week around here and I just can't wait to share some stuff with you...I've got a big list of to do's to show you soon, I promise.

Tonight we did another local event for the PDX Calendar that I write reviews for. I had a great time with my family. This blog has provided me with so many opportunities...I'm pinching myself everyday! Thanks everyone who takes the time to read this little piece of me; you have no idea how much it means. <3

This link up is for you. Whatever you'd like to share. Something that you've created; something that inspires you. I love to read them all.

           ~Melissa

 

Create.Simplify.Inspire. #53

  

<a href="http://www.willamettevalleywonderwoman.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss203/anikalene/Untitled-2.jpg" alt="Willamette Valley Wonder Woman" width="250" height="250" /></a>

My Dreams are Becoming a Reality

This is my official entry for a contest held by #CollectiveBias to win an all expense paid trip to their #SoFabCon conference held May 8th-10th. For more information visit their website: SoFabCon.com

I've always had a dream.

Ever since I was little I dreamed of working for myself, having a schedule of my own - being able to express my own creativity and live comfortably doing so. I just wasn't sure how or what that would be.

I began a career in health care when I was young to help others, and pay my bills. Even while in nursing school I knew that I wanted to keep that career as a backup plan to ensure I could always provide for my family if need be.

It was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.

In the meantime I have always explored other options for earning a living - I've sold products and held in home parties, but nothing seemed to click. It wasn't my passion.

Then in April 2012 I began this blog. I had realized that a few of the websites I stalked on a regular basis were actually created by people like me - and some of them made a living by doing so.

To make a long story short I've been working on this blog consistently for 20 months and am continuously learning so many things along the way. It truly has been like going back to school and starting a new career from scratch.

It will always be a work in progress.

For over a year I had the idea for using my writing as a tool to make money from - so I could create the lifestyle I had always dreamed of for my family.

I realized that blogging was my passion.

In October of last year I had finally learned enough to jump in and slowly began making money from my blog. One of the ways I did this was through sponsored campaigns, also known as "Shopportunities" through Collective Bias. I've gotten to share recipes, crafts, tips, and ideas with you in posts that surround a certain product, and I actually get paid to be creative! I've been blessed to have worked on 11 campaigns through Collective Bias since I joined 14 weeks ago.

I'm pinching myself every day.

Collective Bias is holding a contest for members to win an all-expense paid trip to their annual #SoFabCon conference for bloggers and brands, and they are asking the question, 'Why do you want to win?' 

Let me tell you one thing I've learned from blogging - a picture really is worth 1,000 words, and here's a few reasons why I need to go:

I would love to attend my first blog conference so I can continue to grow and learn, and so I can create the life for my family that up until a year ago I only imagined of.

When this contest was announced I sat down and talked with my kids about my "at-home job", and really wanted their opinions of what I've been doing. Even though this is my blog, my family is a huge part of it. It's not just about me, it's about us. I asked my kids to help me out by each drawing a picture for me of one of their favorite things they like about my new job and they all came up with great things.

Anika started thinking of all the wonderful places and events we've gotten to attend - all thanks to this blog. She drew a picture of our trip to see the Zoo Lights.

Emma told me that she likes my job because she likes it when I get to stay home with them and be together as a family.

Noah- well, he said he loved everything. He is the happiest boy I've ever met.

I then asked, 'what are some of the things you would like to be able to do as a family someday?' I want them to have an understanding on working hard and having dreams.

Well let me tell ya,
They have big dreams too.

I must be doing something right.

If I win this trip I will utilize everything I learn and continue to grow this blog and my career.

I'll never stop dreaming, and thanks to companies like Collective Bias, my dreams are becoming a reality!

~Melissa

Easy On The Go Breakfast Idea

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Jimmy Dean, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #onthego http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

As many parents know, weekday mornings seem to always be rushed. In between running around searching for a pair of socks that they swear must have been stolen from the sock monster the night before, and fighting with each other on whose turn it is to feed the dog, we barely have time to inhale a bowl of cereal or eat a breakfast bar on the go.

When the weekend rolls around, the last thing I want to think about is another chaotic morning. On Sunday's around here we usually all make a hot breakfast together and eat around the table; Saturday mornings are generally a fend-for-yourself breakfast's kinds of day - but half of the time it turns into me crawling out of bed to fix coffee and take orders.

A mom's job is never done. 

I'm always trying to think of new things that are quick and tasty to give the kids to eat for mornings when peanut butter and honey toast just won't do. When I was shopping at Walmart for some last minute supplies for Emma's Cinderella birthday party last week I saw these new Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausages on a Stick and just had to buy and try them.

This past Saturday I had Wayne crawl out of bed for breakfast duties since I had these new breakfast-on-a-sticks for everyone. Literally all he had to do was warm them up in the microwave.

The kids loved them.

I think that the best part for them was being allowed to eat breakfast in the living room while watching their Saturday morning cartoons! Normally big bad 'mom' or 'dad' tells them to get off of the carpet, but sometimes you just have to give in, especially when breakfast is virtually mess-free!

Wayne was pleasantly surprised at just how delicious they tasted and asked if I would buy some more so he could have some for an on the go weekday breakfast for himself.

The best part for me was the little extra luxury time I got to linger in bed without having to hear, "Mom! What's there to eat?"

I've heard that in February all of the Jimmy Dean Pancakes and Sausages on a stick will be moving at Walmart from the frozen foods isle to the breakfast isle so you can easily grab a box or two for your growing family too!

To find out more information on Jimmy Dean visit one of their sites and follow along!

FACEBOOK                        TWITTER                     PINTEREST                   INSTAGRAM  

~Melissa

TGIF Family Time and Appetizers

I am a member of the #CollectiveBias ®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

Family time is something that I cherish more than anything. Little moments made now will create a lifetime of memories. Games on TV are sometimes big events with lots of company and excitement, but other times it's nice to just have our little family at home relaxing together. Many times I'll make a quick trip to a store like Walmart the day before to grab a  few tasty snacks like T.G.I. Friday's Loaded Cheddar & Bacon Potato Skins, or their Chicken Wings with Honey BBQ Sauce for the kids to nibble on. 

When the game day arrives we break out the snacks, and we also take out some other forms of entertainment for when the kid's attention spans start waning from the TV.

One of the things we like to do is get out our board games that rarely get played. Both Wayne and I will play with the kids while the game is on. Of course we like watching the big game on TV, but with kids you just can't give the game your undivided attention, and that's okay.

Family time always comes first. 

Yummy snacks and games together are something that my kids will always remember, not the games on television; and that's how it should be. It's thing's like this that are turning into our family tradition, and I hope that one day later on in their lives they look back and smile at the memories.

If you are heading to the store to stock up for the big game happening next weekend, Walmart has T.G.I. Friday's snacks in the freezer isle as well as demos happening in many stores January 30th - February 2nd! Make sure to follow the hash tag #TGIFGameDay and find out if there is one happening near you!

What are some traditions that your have with your family during big televised games? I would love to hear!

~Melissa

Being a Prepared Parent

I've been a parent for what seems like a long time now. After all, this summer Anika will be 11 years old! Having three kids definitely keeps me on my toes and while I make no claims to know it all, I have learned a thing or two over the years. ;)

One thing that I have learned in particular is the need to be prepared. When the kids were younger I had to have a fully packed diaper bag with all of the necessities: formula, diapers, wipes, cream, snacks, outfits, etc... it turned into a habit. Once the kids got old enough that I could leave the house with just my purse and keys...let me tell you, there were a lot of mixed emotions.

I was happy for less things to have to remember, but sad at how fast time flies.

And then I suddenly found myself having to be prepared in other ways like busier schedules with after school activities and lots of homework.

Now days I plan the calendar and manage all of our schedules. I also prepare meals in advance accordingly to the week's events. I make sure I'm prepared with a variety of snacks for kids (and myself) to have on hand so we don't run low on the fuel our bodies need to keep going.

A couple of weeks ago when Kellogg's Great Start campaign began I shared with you how I have my kids help me with snack preparation to save time and money. I love that it helps them learn to eat healthy and helps sets good examples for kids.

The other day I received an email notifying me that spring soccer sign-ups are this week (already!) As nice as its been having a little break from the kids sports, they have been getting cabin fever and are more than ready to play!

It's a little known fact, but one of their favorite after-activity snacks is a bowl of cereal! It's actually great for the kids and here's why:

What are some of the ways you've had to become a prepared parent for your kids? And what are some of their favorite after-activity snacks?

For more tips visit: Kelloggs.com/GreatStartTips

~Melissa

Kellogg’s® believes that From Great Starts Come Great Things®. So we’re helping Moms start every day with a tip from the top athletes of Team Kellogg’s™ and Team USA dietitians. The thirty days leading up to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games will each feature fun pieces of advice to help families fuel just like the athletes of Team Kellogg’s. To see all 30 tips, visit Kelloggs.com/GreatStartsTips

Compensation was provided by Kellogg’s via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kellogg’s.

Game Time Goodies & Football Ice Cream Sandwiches

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

There are a lot of games happening this time of year, and one big football game in particular that is just around the corner! I'm not a huge football watcher myself, (I prefer watching basketball) BUT, any game is a great time to make an excuse for family time. 

Most days I do all of the cooking and on special occasions or when we have guests over I make appetizers and other treats in addition to everything else, and it seems I spend more time in the kitchen then relaxing with our friends and family! I've learned that sometimes when you have company over to watch a game it's great to just grab some comfort foods that you can throw into the oven before halftime and then not have to worry about dinner!

This week I decided to run to Walmart to pick up a cart full of food that my family likes to munch on and that I don't have to make! 
With all the preparation time you are saving you'll even have time to set everything up for a nice little display to show off your game time goodies for your guests.

If you know me though, I still had to put a little spin on things and create a little something special for everyone. I purchased Dryer's Limited Edition Touchdown Sundae ice cream (which my kids LOVE because it has little chocolate footballs with caramel in the center) and then I whipped up some chocolate chip cookies and made Football Ice Cream Sandwiches! You can use your own favorite cookie recipe; pre made dough, or use this simple chocolate chip recipe below:

Football Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

Dryers Limited Edition Touchdown Sundae Ice Cream
1 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
1 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking powder
2 cups of chocolate chips

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl. Add brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla and mix until well blended.
3. In another bowl mix the flour, salt, and baking powder, then add in with butter/sugar mixture. Mix well.
4. Add chocolate chips and stir until blended.
5.Pat dough into a cookie sheet making cookies 2 1/2- 3 inches in diameter.
6.Place in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges are slightly browned.
7. Take out of the oven and cool in pan for one minute. Then remove from pan and transfer to a cooling rack.
When the cookies are cooled you can now make your footballs!
8. I didn't have a football cookie cutter, so I drew the shape onto card stock and then set the image on the large cookies and cut the shape out using a sharp knife.
9. While you are cutting the football shapes, take the ice cream out of the freezer to soften.
10. Using an ice cream scoop place a generous amount of ice cream between to cookies and gently press together.
11. Place ice cream sandwiches into freezer to harden for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!! Your guests will love these extra-large party treats!

Remember, whatever you do for the big game day this year, make sure you keep it simple! Have fun relaxing with the family!

~Melissa

Living Locally: Scenes from ChocolateFest

Last night two of my co-workers and I had a much needed girl's evening in Portland and visited ChocolateFest which benefits the World Forestry Center. This event definitely lives up to its name, and has 80 vendors with something chocolate-y to share! With Valentine's Day coming up this is a great place to buy extra special confections for your special someone.

We sampled Sea Salt Toffee from Holm Made Toffee and each had to buy a bag to take home. We sipped some Berry Fusion from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and tasted Muscat from Hip Chicks Do Wine.

ChocolateFest is open one more day! For more information check out my first post HERE, or their website: ChocolateFest.org 

~Melissa

Full disclosure: I was provided with passes in exchange for a review. As always all opinions are 100% my own. If you would like me to review an event please contact me @ Melissakaylene@gmail.com 

A Cinderella Birthday Party

Last weekend was Emma's 6th birthday party. We had it at Scotty's Playhouse, which is a local indoor play place run by a church. I didn't have lots of extra money to spend so I got crafty with decor.

I used a gift bag with the image of Cinderella and placed it inside of a frame I already had.

I purchased princess fruit snacks for the kids' goodie bags and cut the picture of Cinderella off of the box.

Blue tissue paper was placed inside of another frame and I wrote Emma's birthday sign on the outside of the glass with a white chalk marker.

All things sparkly were items that I already had on hand and keep for special occasions. :)

The garland was made by cutting out scrapbook paper and then stitching them together with a sewing machine. I then sprayed them with glitter spray paint and then just attached them to the tablecloth with these amazing mini glittered clothespins that I found at Target.

It was just a few little things that I could create quickly and that didn't involve too much since we were only allotted 15 minutes to set up for the party.

She loved it!

And yes, I made the cake :)

If you are looking for an adorable Cinderalla dress for your little one, Here's one I love on Amazon . 

~Melissa