Family Featured

tips for a family friendly movie night

I was provided compensation for this post. All opinions are mine.

With the Holidays and cooler weather fast approaching, movie nights are a great way to wind down from the week and have fun with friends and family. While I had planned a fun outdoor movie night with a few friends and family, the weather wouldn’t cooperate so we had to bring the party indoors. I kept the festivities fun and light to allow myself more time to spend with family rather than be worried with the nuances of entertaining. During these next few months it is likely you will have guests or be a guest somewhere. Here are a few easy tips on how to throw a fun family movie night, whether it is indoors or out.

Provide Blankets: Cooler weather is here and it is hard to accommodate everyone’s temperature requests. Offer light blankets for your guests to cuddle up with if they like.

 

Orville Redenbacher

 

Popcorn Fixing Bar: Get rid of some of that leftover candy and create a fun fixings bar with a variety of items, including chocolate, trail mix and other sweet treats that will mix well with the saltiness of popcorn.

 

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Use Themed Popcorn Containers: Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn offers a Pop Up Bowl that you take directly from the microwave and can use as a bowl. I absolutely love the popcorn bowls; the popcorn popped fast, all of the kernels popped up light and fluffy and there weren’t a ton of unpopped kernels lying at the bottom of the bag/bowl. The kids always seem to like these little popcorn containers so I brought them out. I found these at a local dollar retailer.

 

Orville Redenbacher

 

Movie-Themed Goodie Bags: For some added fun, create goodie bags full of boxed movie candy and other themed items based on the movie you are showing.

Create Paper Tickets: Children love fun, themed play. Create fun paper tickets and request them as guests enter the area where the movie will be shown.

These are just a few fun, easy, and affordable options you can pull together to create a fun family movie night.

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Featured Food

herb roasted sweet potatoes

I used to reserve sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving only. Yams please. Then I discovered all of the wonderful and tasty things you can do with them other than piling them with butter and sugar. One of my favorite go to side dishes is herb roasted sweet potatoes. The crunchiness and saltiness of the outer skin with the sweetness of the inside is just dam* good.

Cut up sweet potatoes + olive oil + herbs + a good toss + hot oven = good eating

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Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss to coat everything evenly. Spread in a single layer on prepared cookie sheet. Place in oven.
  3. Bake at 450 for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes.

This is the first Friday of the month so the Fab Five and I are sharing our favorite sweet potato recipes. Be sure to stop by and see what the other ladies have cooking.

MJ | Sweet Potato Grits: Love grits? Love sweet potato? Combine them for this delicious taste of fall and Southern eats. Enjoy with country ham, green onions and a splash of hot sauce.

LaShawn | Baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta and Sundried Tomatoes: For those of us looking for alternatives to the traditional sweet potato this holiday season. This is not your mama’s sweet potato.

Bernetta | Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries: Who said you couldn’t have fries because you are eating healthy now? This version allows you to eat good, get a french fry fix and enjoy all the health benefits that a Sweet Potato brings. You can make these fries sweet or spicy and it will still taste great.

Kita| Sweet Potato Souffle for one: a sweet potato casserole for one.  It is for those who want to hide in their closets and indulge in their very own sweet potato casserole without making any for the rest of the family. It’s the holidays so you can be a little bah humbug and treat yourself.

 

Hunter Boots
Featured Mama Style

rainy day style

I love my Hunter boots. L O V E.

A friend of mine asked me if they were all of that for the price and my answer was yes. I’m not an advocate of splurging on everything but some things like designer rain boots make you feel fancy on dreary days.

If you know me you know there are a few things that are just me, and my oxford shirts and “popped” colors are just something I do. Ever since I can remember I been poppin’ my collar. Bonus points to you if you know of that trappery.

Hunter Boots

Hunter Boots

Ever since I can remember I been poppin’ my collar…poppin’ poppin’ my collar…poppin’ poppin’ my collar..

Hunter Boots

Boots: Hunter | Jeans: Gap | Blouse: Brooks Brothers | Belt: Nine West | Cardigan: Eileen Fisher | Necklace: Macys

What are your go to style staples?

RoC Retinol Resolution
Beauty

Give Good Face for the Holidays with the Roc Retinol Resolution

I am a beauty Ambassador for RoC. I have received compensation for this post.

Holiday parties are on the horizon honey! People you haven’t seen all year will be in best form and you can’t afford to be caught slipping. While you are picking out your finest in holiday gear be sure to pay your skin special attention in these most important weeks leading up to entertaining season. Whether rocking Uggs to the party or those stilettos that live in the cloth bag at the top of your closet, nothing will set it off better than your skin being at it’s best.

RoC is encouraging women to get ready for the Holiday season by taking their #RocRetinolResolution and taking heed to a few skincare tips by New York board certified dermatoligist, Dr. Debra Jaliman. Dr. Jaliman has these tips to offer:

“With the holidays fast-approaching, it’s important to get into a regular skincare routine so you can maintain a heathy glow for the festivities. Your body works to repair the skin overnight, so I always encourage a good bedtime facial regimen. RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Deep Wrinkle Night Cream is clinically proven and contains a mix of pure retinol and an essential mineral complex, which is designed to work through the night to help reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. RoC® RETINOL is up to 2x stronger than imitators based on vitro RETINOL activity in this night cream.”

“Holiday parties may result in a few late nights, so it’s important to stay hydrated and use an eye cream to combat dark circles. I recommend RoC® RETINOL CORREXION® Eye Cream, which works immediately to smooth skin’s surface. Start now and with continued use you’ll notice a visible reduction in not only those dark circles, but also wrinkles around the eyes, crow’s feet and puffiness!

“You may apply more makeup than normal during the holiday season, so it’s extra important to cleanse your face at night with a gentle cleanser. Useful tip, use lukewarm water instead of hot water to avoid drying out your skin.”

These are just a few useful tips to use not only during the holidays but year round.

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