Work It Wednesday: Accessorize!

I'm a fan of simple pieces, especially come fall. There's just something about jeans & a solid tee (long or short sleeved) with a pair of boots that screams comfort. But of course "plain" can get boring, so the best way to give your wardrobe a new look is by accessorizing.

I'm not certain if this would be considered a bauble necklace or not (to me, baubles are round), but it has one of falls hot color trends...green. Not to mention the fact that it really pops on a basic black tee. (White too.)

This is by far my favorite necklace though. Even if for the only reason that it can be quickly grabbed & put on over my head. A long chain necklace is the perfect compliment to any long tunic style shirt. Not to mention it helps keep the kids occupied when we get stuck at the doctor's office for too long. 

 So don't be afraid to grab the pieces that pop out at you! You'll definitely get a chance to show them off!

Tasty Tuesday: Easy Ziti

On occasion, we have a few hectic nights during the week where we have to go as soon as everyone is done with dinner. Of course these nights usually only happen when I've had a very busy day & don't have a lot of time to make dinner before the starving natives get home. My go to dish when the situation arises...Easy Ziti!

How To:

•1 box ziti

•1 lb. hamburger

•desired add-ins such as diced onion, minced garlic, etc. (optional)

• 45oz. jar pasta sauce

•16oz. container cottage cheese

•desired seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried basil, etc. (optional)

•shredded mozzarella cheese

• cooking spray

•9x13 glass baking dish

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

- Spray 9x13 dish with cooking spray & set aside.

- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook ziti till al dente. Drain & set aside.

- In a large skillet, brown hamburger. This is where you would cook any add-ins if desired. Drain & set aside.

- In the same large pot you cooked the pasta in, mix together pasta, hamburger, pasta sauce, cottage cheese & desired seasonings. You can also add some shredded mozzarella if you want a really cheesy Ziti.

- Top with shredded mozzarella & bake in your 400 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes.

- Place under broiler for just a few minutes to brown the cheese on top. Just be sure you keep an eye on it.

- Best served with garlic bread & a small side salad.

 

Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother in Stainless Steel, with Stand and 4 Frothing Attachments

Working in a Cafe before, I acquired quite the taste for specialty coffees. I still make most of them quite often, especially mochas. However, if I wanted a latte full of froth I'd have to go on a bit of a drive to buy one. But not anymore!

The Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother, comes with a stand (perfect for keeping near my "beverage station") & 4 attachments. You get 2 frothing whisks, 1 egg beater (which comes in handy when the kids want to help make scrambled eggs) & a cocktail mixer. All of which easily snap in & out of place. It also comes with two AA batteries so you don't have to wait to use it (thank goodness!). But the batteries did seem to be a bit on the weaker side. As soon as I switched them to my usual brand, I was getting an ample amount of froth in no time.

Look at all the froth!

I have only frothed 1% milk, but it is said that the Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother can froth other milks such as soy, almond & coconut. Which is good, because I plan to experiment with my drinks. An orgeat latte with coconut milk sounds pretty good right about now, don't you think?

Pumpkin Spice Latte! (There's more froth than it looks like.) Find the recipe here.

Want one for yourself so you can satisfy your inner barista? You can find it on Amazon (for a very reasonable price too). 

 **Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Moderna Housewares/Ozeri & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

Can Do Kid Giveaway Winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to Rhea S.! Please be sure to check your email! 

Messy Monday: DIY Floor Cleaner

This happens to me all the time. I go to clean the floor, only I have no cleaner. Which of course is OK since I'd rather make my own anyways.

How To:

•1/4C. vinegar

•1/4C. Borax

•3Tbsp. baking soda

•1Tbsp. dish washing liquid

•10 drops tea tree oil

 •2 gallons warm hot water

-Mix all ingredients together.

-No need to rinse off of floor.

 

THERA°PEARL Knee Wrap

Years ago I had a minor knee injury. My kneecap popped out of place, but did a little damage that never healed properly when it popped back in. Being in my very early twenties then (barely), I didn't really see the need for surgery to repair it. Now that I'm in my early thirties, I occasionally feel that decision. Every now & then, depending on what I've been doing & the weather, my knee really bothers me. But being a busy SAHM of three, I really can't let that slow me down.

Introducing THERA°PEARL Knee Wrap! Pearl technology (comparable to "a bag of peas") helps send relief directly to the pain, while the opening over the kneecap helps keep you in motion. You can also choose cold or heat therapy (check out Hot/Cold 101 for which method suits your pain better), which last the full Dr. recommended 20 minutes.

 A couple weeks ago I ran a little too hard & felt it in my knee the next day. Over the course of the day, I'd pop the THERA°PEARL Knee Wrap in the microwave for 35 seconds & wear it for 20 minutes at a time. The large Velcro strap in the back helps guarantee that it stays in place, so you don't have to wrap it to keep it there. And let's not forget that it's actually quite comfortable considering. Which all means that I didn't miss a beat keeping after my brood.

Not quite convinced yet?

“We’re thrilled to partner with the NFLPA in developing products that impact a player’s training and recovery,” said Daniel Baumwald, President of THERA°PEARL. “Our products maximize targeted hot and cold therapy and are uniquely designed for athletes and athlete recovery. We are happy to make this technology available to the NFL players for whom recovery is such a crucial part of the game.”

If it's good enough for a NFL player, it's good enough for me. After all, trudging loads of laundry up & down 3 flights of steps (along with the occasional child in the basket), while avoiding toys & other obstacles should be considered a sport. Shouldn't it?

Keep up on the latest from THERA°PEARL via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Google+.

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Simple Sunday: Damien's 4th Birthday Party!

Let me start by saying that I am awful about taking pictures at parties. I always seem to be busy doing something else, including looking for my phone or the camera. But with the help of my sister-in-law, I did manage to get a few pictures of Damien's 4th Birthday Party.

Presents!

He got TWO shirts that said "I hear you but I'm not listening"...PERFECT!

Almost managed to blow out all the candles. Almost.