I have an e-fession to make! You ready? Cookie dough brings me to my knees. I like to think of myself as very disciplined. I work out, I can say “no” to my kids (no matter how cute they may be), I even have a strict two-drink limit when I go out. But when it comes to cookie dough, I’ve met my match!
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School is out! So, cue the guilt of a working mom…Yes, there is no homework, no extracurricular activities, no peeling the kids out of bed in the morning–all things to look forward to, but all of that is overshadowed by the fact that I’m working now.
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How many times have you found yourself in a situation and swore you would NEVER be there again? Well I’m there right now. I swore up and down that I would never have more than one pet per kid and I definitely thought they would all have fur. Nope: Somehow I am now a mother to three kids, three dogs, two bearded dragons and three turtles actually, tortoises but whatever. While I never would have thought this would be my world, I have surprisingly enjoyed the journey with my kiddos and am happy to say, I love these new little guys to death. Here’s how it all went down…
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It’s funny to look at this list and think, “Wow! My dad's taste sure has changed over the years.” Years ago, my dad would have loved the six-pack of beer or Guinness float. But now, he would be all over the chocolate covered bacon roses. My husband on the other hand hasn’t changed a bit.  A hand-made gift from one of the kids is top on his list every year. So whatever your dad’s tastes are this year, I hope you can find a source of inspiration from my DIY father's day ideas below.
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Finding the perfect gift for your dad on Father’s Day is not an easy task. I mean how do you come up with just the right thing that shows him how much he means to you and stay within your budget? I think the best way to start narrowing down your gift selection is by focusing on things that will reflect his personality. Is he a sports fan? Is he a tech junkie? Does he have a love of history? I tried to find a little something for “Every Dad” when compiling this 2013 Father's Day shopping list. I hope it helps you to find an inspiring way to celebrate the man who’s inspired you to become the person you are today. Cheers to you and your Dad!
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A lot of really great summer fun takes place poolside. Who hasn’t played “Marco Polo” or tossed the beach ball around with the kiddos? It’s also a great place to soak up the sunshine with good friends, cocktail in hand! Since more fun is well, more fun, I’m always looking for creative ways to enhance our poolside experiences, and I’ve found some things I would really love to share with you! This collection of DIY pool games, activities, and outdoor décor ideas are just perfect for adding a little something extra to an already fun activity. From waterproof playing cards to sleek stainless steel torches, these pool finds will help keep the fun going all summer long.
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I just got back from my trip home to Missouri where we filmed me and my mom cooking in the kitchen where I grew up. I took my whole team, my Director of Photography and my hairstylist, Mark, that I have been friends with for close to 20 years. I was a little nervous at first because I wasn’t certain how the trip would go. I have members of my team from all over the U.S. and while Webb City, Missouri is a slice out of the all-American pie, there really isn’t much to do in this tiny little town. And to top it off, the forecast called for pouring rain the entire time we were to be there.
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I was recently featured on SheKnows, alongside Kris Schoels of  Young Married Chic. Together we covered tips and tricks on how to Host an Amazing Easter Celebration. Check out the article and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
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It's January 15th, so how are you doing on all those grand New Year's resolutions? Don't worry if you've already cracked, you're not alone. In fact, research says that nearly eight out of 10 people will give up on their resolutions within six months. So this year, instead of a resolution to change, why not pledge to become a little better at something you already do well—a better wife, mother or friend to the people you love?
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Ok, I have to admit, I've got a bit of a problem.  On one hand, I am extremely disciplined with what I eat and try to avoid sugar.  But on the flip side, I LOVE, LOVE sweet and salty things together.  In fact, chocolate-covered almonds with sea salt is one of my all-time favorite things. So here's my dilemma: chocolate bars are everywhere and come in many varieties, but I cannot open one without eating the whole darn thing.  So I went in search of a sweet and salty box of chocolate bites.  However, I cannot find a box of sugar free, salted chocolate covered almonds anywhere!  I've scoured the web and I cannot find it.  Really?  I'm the first person in the world that wants this combination?!!
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I don't know about you, but all I want is junk food when I am under the weather—not the typical comfort foods like chicken noodle soup or mashed potatoes or even a buttered bagel or toast, but things like cookie dough, cupcakes and pizza. I am typically a health food nut—juicing green veggies morning and night to provide nutrition to everyone in my family and sticking to meals like arugula, grilled fish and Brussels sprouts.
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With TSA governing the amount of liquid we can carry onto planes and airlines charging more for overweight baggage, I have gotten the contents of my travel bag down to a science. If I had any questions on what is absolutely necessary before, now—after my book tour—I've grown to realize one doesn't really need to include everything-but-the-kitchen-sink when she travels.
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There are so many things in this world that deserve our time and energies—after all, isn't that what we're here for?  Seriously, get a life!  Fight for a belief!  Take on someone else's problem for heaven's sake and help fix it!  Get a new job!  Sky dive!  Do freakin' something!
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A few weeks ago, I was introduced to George Brescia in NYC--a stylist to the stars and a celeb himself. He shows up at my hotel wearing darling, sherbert colored shorts, a fitted white t-shirt and a sweater wrapped around his neck. He was Polo perfect. And just to keep this description going, his personality is as darling as his wardrobe. When he loves something he jumps up and squeals, "That is fierce, girl.  Fierce." He is SO MUCH FUN!
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Okay, I'm not certain about you and your experiences with a road trip and the family, but our experiences are less than The Cleavers-perfect.  A few weeks ago, we took a little family trip to northern Cal on the tails of my Pottery Barn Facebook chat in San Francisco.  So we drove around the Bay Area a bit and up to Napa.
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