When Wearing Your Coffee Goes Right

I kind of love American Eagle jeans because they are a great quality denim with lots of stretch and are available in long and extra long inseams for taller girls like me.  Earlier this month American Eagle Outfitters released a line of denim made with recycled coffee grounds.  I was intrigued.  I'm all for reducing, reusing and recycling but how do coffee grounds tie into jeans?  Here's what I learned...

This Week's Twitter Party Picks

Monday, October 26th

6:00 pm PST Better Starts Now Twitter Party with @selfishmom @philzendia @citizenwatchus and others. Prizes: Multiple VISA giftcards and ONE (1) Grand Prize Citizen watch. #BetterStartsNow RSVP


Tuesday, October 27th

9:00 am PST Beyond Snacks Twitter Party with @simplybeingmom @reviewdadmedia @ourhomemadelife and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #BeyondSnacks RSVP

4:00 pm PST Trick or Teeth Twitter Party with @jmanmillerbug @sunstargum. Prizes: TWO (2) Sunstar prize packs ARV $25, ONE (1) $25 Target giftcard + Sunstar prize pack ARV $50, ONE (1) $50 Target GC + Sunstar prize pack ARV $74, ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 Targe GC + Sunstar prize pack ARV $150 - See RSVP link for full prize descriptions. #TrickOrTeeth RSVP

Wednesday, October 28th

10:00 am PST Woodbridge Wines Twitter Party with @lizventuresblog @comebackmomma @ruralmoms and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #WoodbridgeWines RSVP

12:00 pm PST Smarter Treats Twitter Party with @weightwatchers @kellysluckyyou @kellystilwell and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #SmarterTreats RSVP

Thursday, October 29th

12:00 pm PST Found My Delight Twitter Party with @indelight @dentistmel @thecouponista and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #FoundMyDelight RSVP

Read more at http://www.mommyblogexpert.com/2015/10/master-twitter-party-calendar-oct-25.html#qcSqqd9rT3r8XEFp.99

Etsy Picks: Birthday Edition

 

My birthday is just a few weeks away and, yes, I treat it like my own personal national holiday every single year.  It's the one time of year when I allow myself to be super indulgent so all the wish lists I've been making all year long are getting a second look and I'll be deciding what items will make the final cut.  I'm looking at you, Etsy cart.  The one full of stuff I don't really need but really, really want...

Fall Family Fun

Although the weather still isn't cooperating, the calendar doesn't lie.  We are well into Fall and that means it's time to partake in a little fall fun with the family.  This year I was on a mission to find the perfect harvest festival in the L.A. area since the one at Pierce College shut down.  On list of must-haves were:  a pumpkin patch,a tractor pull, a corn maze, fresh lemonade and roasted corn.  I found all that and more at Forneris Farms in Mission Hills. 

A House Divided: No-Carve vs. Carved Pumpkins

Ajani and Kadir preparing to transform their pumpkins into a cupcake and a bat.

 

I remember carving pumpkins with my mother growing up:  The mess.  The smell.  The way the jack-o-lanterns got all soggy and moldy after a week or so.  I'm not a fan of any of it.  That's why I was so grateful for the inspiration from Pinterest to do no-carve pumpkins.  Not only that, but I found some really cool pumpkin decorating kits from Spritz at Target that include everything you need to turn your pumpkin into anything from a creepy but cute bat ($5) to a pink frosted cupcake ($3). 

Goosebumps!

Goosebumps is kind of a big deal in our household.  My children have been reading R.L. Stine books for as long as I can remember and when they were old enough not to be too scared, we would watch marathons of the Goosebumps TV show as it got closer to Halloween.  Memories...

Support Our Champ!

Photo courtesy of Damien Lopez

Boxing fans!  Animal lovers!  This Saturday, come out and meet amateur boxing champ and 2016 Olympic hopeful, Damien Lopez, at Beachside Animal Hospital in Capistrano Beach, California.  Lopez is a dedicated fighter and all around upstanding young man making his way on the "Road to Rio." 

New Beauties

One of my favorite things about the changing of the seasons (even if the weather says otherwise) is the general sense of renewal.  I love packing away summer clothes and dragging out my boots and sweaters.  Switching from brighter colors to jewel tones and various shades of grey.  As my wardrobe changes, so too does my makeup and there is nothing I love more than new make up!  I received a few new beauties over the weekend that I've been eagerly anticipating so, of course, I had to share. 

What's in My Etsy Cart?

I have a dangerous Etsy obsession. I have so many items in my basket that I'm literally not allowed to add anymore and, if left to my own devices, I would absolutely buy everything in it proceed to fill it up again.  Fortunately I do have some semblance of self-control so what I do is slowly chip away at my "wishlist," if you will.  Here's a rundown of what I'm obsessing over at he moment:

American Horror Story: Hotel

American Horror Story: Hotel airs Wednesdays on FX.

While I am an admitted TV junkie from way back, there are but a handful of shows I get really excited about.  American Horror Story is one of them and it's back in its fifth incarnation as American Horror Story: Hotel.  Last night's premier pulled no punches, giving me everything I expect and adore from Ryan Murphy's twisted (genius) mind:  sex, drugs, gore and glam.

Beauty Coming Soon

Via their Snapchat, Colourpop revealed a leak of their new Crème Color Gel eyeshadow which will come in 24 shades.  The collection will include matching pencils. I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing more.  No specific date has been set at this time but they are scheduled to be released sometime this month. 

This Week's Twitter Party Picks

Here's a few of the Twitter parties I'll be attending this week:


Monday, October 5th

10:00 am PST DIY Oil Change Twitter Party  with @pennzoil @reviewdadmedia @lizventuresblog and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #DIYOilChange RSVP

12:00 pm PST KY Try Something New Twitter Party with @sweeptight @mommytalkshow @kristak2 and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #KYTrySomethingNew RSVP
Tuesday, October 6th

12:00 pm PST Tyson Movie Offer Twitter Party  with @moneywisemoms @outnumberedmama @amomsimpression and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #TysonMovieOffer RSVP


Wednesday, October 7th

12:00 pm PST Homegate Hacks Twitter Party with @lficocktails @dentistmel @dawnchats and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #HomegateHacks RSVP


Thursday, October 8th

10:00 am PST Best Life Project Twitter Party with @vegateam @sweeptight @littlemamajama and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #BestLifeProject RSVP


Friday October 9th

12:00 pm PST Oreo Thins Are In Twitter Party with @kellysluckyyou @blm03 @frugalfamtree and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 CVS giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 CVS GCs. #OreoThinsAreIn RSVP

Read more at http://www.mommyblogexpert.com/2015/10/twitter-party-calendar-oct-4-oct-10.html#VVcf0LEMv00LJCi9.99

Beer Me!

Pardon the radio silence, but I'm enjoying a well-deserved quiet (lazy) weekend after a particularly stressful week.  Here are a couple of the libations the hubby picked  up at Handy Mart in Burbank (mind you, I'm no connoisseur, I just like a good beer every now and again and I don't mind trying something new). 

Snack Time!

Last year when my boss told me our office was being moved to another section of Downtown Los Angeles I grumbled at first.  I wasn't thrilled about having to find another route to navigate through L.A. traffic nor was I excited about extending my commute even slightly.  However, my resistance turned to excitement when I learned they were moving us to Little Tokyo.  Why, you ask?  The food of course!  I spent the first couple of weeks exploring the arts district and Little Tokyo Village where I found several good sushi joints as well as gems like The Pie Hole (mac and cheese pie) and Café Dulce (bacon donuts!).  But there is one place I visit several times a week and that's Marukai Japanese Supermarket. 

Giveaway: Ontario Harvest Festival

Next weekend is the Ontario Harvest Festival, an event sure to be fun for the whole family.  The festival features tens of thousands of works of art from over one hundred artists, making it one of the biggest craft shows around.  There will be live entertainment, , demonstrations, contests, and a kid zone presented by Macaroni Kid featuring make-and-take art projects. 

The Harvest Festival takes place at the Ontario Convention Center October 9th-11th with tickets ranging from $4-9 for all three days.  Visitors who bring a nonperishable food donation save $2 off adult admission. 

GIVEAWAY
I'm giving away a family four (4) pack to one lucky reader.  It's super easy to enter.  Just comment below on your favorite thing about Fall and use the entry form to follow me on Twitter.  That is all.  A winner will be selected and notified on Friday, October 9th.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor

Dark Harbor 2015

Last night I attended the opening night and media preview of The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor where Alpine Village has been transformed into the stuff of nightmares.  The last time I was there it was a winter wonderland but it was barely recognizable in its current incarnation.  From the moment you enter you are surrounded by ghouls, monsters, oddities and very macabre décor.  I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the Halloween season. 

Today's New Beauty

I really feel like my head is about to explode with all of these companies dropping their Fall and Holiday collections left and right.  I'm trying really hard to keep my money in my pocket but they are making it anything but easy.  Take a look at what's releasing today: