Kia Kaha - STAY STRONG

I shared some advice in a post yesterday that was given to me. You know, the one that says: "If someone breaks your heart, just punch them in the face. Seriously. Punch them in the face and go get some ice cream."

Well, I went with my pal Joe for some ice cream. We got the cute cones with two scoops. I even tried the #snacknado flavor from Baskin Robbins....that's how badly I needed ice cream.

After the treat, we watched the movie Forever Strong. It's from 2008 and has my favorite bad guy Neal McDonough in it (the guy with the white hair and super blue eyes). It's based on a true story about a high school rugby player who gets busted for drunk driving and sent to a Juvenile Detention Center. He is too selfish and stubborn to learn anything there, so his counselor (Rudy!) allows him to play on the Highland rugby team with the amazing coach Larry Gelwix. Coach Gelwix has an odd approach to coaching that won him over 360 games in his coaching history. *Blah blah blah...(spoiler alert) the kid learns his lesson, he gets a hug from his dad at the end, and they win the championship.

Throughout the movie, the main character keeps trying to play his own match, while the coach is trying to teach him they win/score/play as a team. At the end, coach tells him, "Don't spend another minute being angry about yesterday." This got me thinking. Yesterday, my feelings were SUPER hurt. While I won't allow myself to do things that will harm my integrity, I also won't abandon you. That's right...once I let you in my heart, you are forever on my team. I will be there for you through your good and bad times. I will be there to punch you when you may need it (just to say straighten up), but I promise not to punch you and walk away. I want you to succeed. I want us to succeed. I can't force anything, but I can offer my help and love and THAT will always stay strong. Kia Kaha.

I love you; you're my friend.

Sheet Set

I have a confession to make: I like to be warm when I sleep. In fact, I like the bed to be warm when I get under the covers. It is Spring, but I just put a Queen heavyweight 4-piece cotton flannel sheet set on my bed this morning. I'm not joking. (Please remember Spring in Utah has been full of snow, rain, wind, and sun - totally random weather each week).

Another things about me: I don't like changing the sheets on my bed. Be honest--It's annoying. But it wasn't so bad with these sheets. The sheets are machine washable, soft to the touch, have extra deep pockets to fit all mattress sizes, and very breathable and comfy. If you need some new sheets, check these out by Yorkshire Mayfair.

Is flannel too hot for you? They also have a great tencel bed sheet set. It is so soft and silky, you won't want to get out of bed. I promise. They are 100% tencel and eco-friendly. I was sent a coffee (yellowish) color in Queen size to try out.

The sheet have a deep pocket so they can fit most matresses (up to 16")

These are probably my most favorite sheet sets ever.

Day-Z even gives these sheets her approval. Sneaky dog!

#AuthenticTencelBedSheetSet

FRIENDLY ADVICE

I have great friends. Those friends sometimes try to offer great advice...

 Like trying to remind me what I want and hope others would want,

 reminding me I'm not perfect

(but still pretty darn awesome),

and sometimes they offer their services.

I love my friends. I also love ice cream.

We all need some help every now and then. Maybe these will help someone else.

Just trying to pay it forward.

ADVENTURE + GEAR EXPO

Harry Potter ain't got nothin on me and this owl I met at the 

Adventure + Gear expo/film festival this weekend.

HOPE OF AMERICA

My niece and nephews (and a whole bunch of other school-aged children and various performance groups in the area) were able to take part in the America's Freedom Festival Hope of America celebration last night. It was fabulous!

 I love my America! I haven't been in the states for July 4 for years and that's make me sad because it is my second favorite celebration. 

 *(There was this one time I had the greatest idea of my life...stadium of fire...faithfully...)

 The house lights went down for the final number and the children used flashes as they sang. It was magical.

Here is a little video clip:

CAT vs MOUSE

I'm not a fan of cat vs mouse games,

but this kitty and his TEMPTATIONS SNACKY MOUSE™ Toy cracks me up.

The "cat" is unable to secure a definitive victory over the "mouse", who despite not being able to defeat the cat, is able to avoid capture. This mouse spills a treat if the cat knocks him the right way. This might not be the brightest cat around (bless his heart), but it take him too long to figure this toy out. OK, maybe he figured it out after the dogs knocked a few treats out of it first.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S

Make new friends, 

but keep the old.

One is silver,

the other is gold.

 I'm not sure why 

or how 

 I met these kids.

 But I sure am lucky I did.

 Thank you for being a friend.

Derek's going back to Canada, Jarvie is a gypsy, and the other peeps might never cross my path again, but I think God puts people in our lives at certain times for good reasons.

Many thanks to Casey for the photos.

#107 Candy Station Party Set #GIVEAWAY

My name is Deanna and I like to party.

I just don't like to plan, decorate, and get ready for parties. Some people have the cutesy eye for throwing parties and some don't. Thanks to Smarty Had A Party, it doesn't matter which one you are anymore. Smarty Had A Party is the nation’s top-rated online party store for entertaining that offers a wide selection of dinnerware, party supplies, and table linen. Their products are budget-friendly, elegant, disposable, and eco-friendly which is awesome.

In celebration of Disney/Pixar’s motion picture INSIDE OUT opening June 19, and with the help of Smarty Had A Party, it was easy to set up a candy station celebration with paper lanterns.

It is literally as simple as setting up a party in a box!

The pack included these items:

1 fuchsia taffeta sequin table runner

4 silver heart plastic candy scoops

2 small/2 medium clear plastic treat buckets with handles

12 8” fuchsia/pink round paper lanterns

They also have a blog where you can read more about paper lanterns.

 Add a few fun printable pages for the film

 and we were ready for lots of fun!

 *Feel free to download the pages and print them for your own party.*

INSIDE OUT website

Follow Disney/Pixar on YouTube and watch the INSIDE OUT trailer

Follow INSIDE OUT on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

WANT TO WIN YOUR OWN CANDY STATION PARTY SET?

Enter on the rafflecopter form below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALEX AND ANI ADDICTION

There aren't many things that I think I MUST buy. I can usually talk myself out of making purchases, but for some reason I just LOVE Alex and Ani products. The company and products have great +energy that I can't pass up. I have a wrist full of bangles so I have started buying necklaces.

I am super excited about the new Crystal Infusion Collection. It's perfect for a more dressy accessory day. Check it out. If you can't think of anyone in your life who needs this, you are more than welcome to send some Alex and Ani love my way!

Shop the new Crystal Infusion Collection at ALEX AND ANI

*Don't forget about the $5 off the bangles of the month deal for all MLB fans

EASTER DOG

Day-Z the Easter dog is a master egg hunter.

Happy Easter, Passover, and LDS conference weekend to all our peeps.

MOMMY & BABY ESSENTIALS Gift Guide GIVEAWAY

I have a lot of friends having babies lately. This means I have been attending a lot of baby showers. I like to give presents for both the baby and mother (after all, mom goes through a lot to get baby here).

1. Berry Sleepy the 100% Fruit Sleep Aid

Having a baby means you might have some sleepless nights staying up with the new bundle of joy. 

This product is made of a blend of three superfruits that are proven to induce sleep: 

1) Passion Fruit contains serotonin, a mild sedative perfect for helping you gently drift off.

2) Goji Berries have a blend of magnesium and thiamin, ideal for high-quality rest.

3)Tart Cherries contain optimal levels of melatonin to help you stay asleep.

Since this is all natural, you can feel great taking it to get some #BerryGoodSleep.

2. Yochi Yochi Portable High Chair/Child Harness

Yochi Yochi is a 3-in-1child safety harness that you can use as a portable high chair, walking harness, and a shopping cart safety strap. This product can be used for babies from 6 months of age up to preschoolers. This is great for moms and babes on the go. As a walking harness, you can keep your little one close when you are in big crowds. The portable high chair option is great for trips to friend's houses or restaurants to help them sit up and be safe. This product is easy to use to put baby in, but not so easy for them to get out so they stay safe. #YochiYochiPortableHighChair

3. Chew-Choos "Sweet Pea" Silicone Teething necklace

This necklace is 28", Safe, Non-toxic BPA-free Baby Teether made by Baby Pinch Boutique. It can be used for soothing baby to help relieve tender gums and emerging new teeth. It provides entertainment for curious nursling babies held in wraps or carriers while bonding with mommy. It has a break-away safety clasp that make it comfortable for the wearer in case baby tugs and pulls. Finally, it is super cute and fashionable. Mom can wear this to accessorize her outfit and keep baby happy and nobody would ask any questions (besides where you bought it). This necklace comes in several amazing colors and the coolest thing about the boutique that sells this product is that it is a small SAHM business. I love helping the little guys out!

4. Pure Guard Crib Mattress Protector by Swaddlez

This product is made of bamboo. I have recently figured out that bamboo is amazing! It is naturally hypo-allergenic and antibacterial. Bamboo is also considered one of the most absorbent textiles available which means you don't have to worry about leaky bottle messes or potty training misses. Bamboo naturally keeps your baby warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This protector pad is designed to fit all mattress sizes. It has a 9" skirt that will fully wrap around any mattress, holding it firmly in place. The TPU membrane is 100% waterproof and the bamboo top is highly absorbent, so gets a comfortable night's sleep while parents don't have to worry about protecting the mattress. The best thing about this product is that it is completely machine washable and dryer friendly.

5. SleeKeys iPad keyboard

SleeKeys is an iPad case with an integrated physical keyboard. It doesn't use Bluetooth, batteries, or wires.The keyboard interacts with the iPad by being flipped onto the screen (this how SleeKeys can operate without electricity of any sort). Since there isn't any electricity involved, it a sleeker and more lightweight case. The company has patents pending on the product and technology and there is nothing similar on the market. This is a great product for mom/dad on the go with baby so you don't have to carry big, bulky electronics in the diaper bag along with baby's needed items.

Want to win some of these items to try out yourself? Enter on the rafflecopter form below:

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