Year: 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

I know…I know…

I’m behind on catching up again.  Here we are almost to Christmas, but I didn’t want to forget to recap our Thanksgiving either.  I’ve been busy with work and photo shoots.  I’ll do a post soon with some of my favorite shots this fall.

We spent Thanksgiving with Terence’s family this year at his brother Paul’s house & ate ourselves silly!  I put some fun Christmas lights on our balcony and decorated our tree!  Early Thanksgiving morning we went to the park and took some family photos with our new friends that just moved here from New York, they have a son the same age as Connor and they just LOVE each other.  It’s Star Wars all day every day in their minds 🙂

These aren’t our Christmas card photos, a few outtakes.  Since we moved I’ve been trying to update everyone with our new address.  If you would like a card from us please email me at beckylbranch@gmail.com and I’ll send it to you!

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Terence and I got new cell phones right before black Friday.  Yay!  Ours were a few years old and I’m excited to have an updated phone with a better camera.

Connor and I ventured out for a tiny bit of Black Friday shopping.  We went to World Market.  The store we visited is moving so everything on the floor was on sale.  I got a $150 beautiful bar stool for $25 bucks!  I talked to the store manager and he let me have it for a steal 🙂

Did y’all find anything fabulous for Black Friday?

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I also went to a cookie decorating class my friend Bree was hosting.  It was so much fun!  I’ve always been intimidated by using fondant….but we had a great time just talking and decorating cookies.  I definitely want to try this again soon!

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I hope you all are enjoying this season.  It’s definitely my favorite and I get sooooo excited this time of year!  I can’t wait to go home and visit my friends and family in Arkansas.  I’m counting down the days!  My DVR is full of Hallmark Christmas movies….I know they are so cheesy, but I still can’t help but indulge in the cheesy romance of each story.  Ha ha!

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

The Process of Buying a Home: My Advice for You #CapitalOneHomeLoans

I remember when Terence and I bought our first home.  We bought it in late 2009 when the market was low and right before Connor was born.  I was so excited to finally be in a HOME.  After being in the military, living in several apartments, and even a 2 year stay with my in-laws….I was happy to have a place to call our own.

Our house was finalized in November and the first thing I wanted to do is put up a Christmas tree of course 🙂

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Fast forward about 5 years and now we are in the home buying boat again.  We sold our house in 2 days this past June and have been searching for a new house ever since.   To say the whole process has been daunting is an understatement.  We have put it 7-8 offers on homes & NOTHING.  The market has totally shifted right now and it’s been so hard to find a house y’all!  I’m the emotional one.  I start envisioning my furniture in there and decorating….only to not get the house and then I have a pity party. I know right?

Our last day in our old house, so many memories!

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I would tell any home buyer to be financially and emotionally prepared.  Don’t buy something you can’t afford, nobody wants to be house poor.  A home is what you make of it.  I didn’t envision us staying in our apartment for this long….but I know that God has a plan and hopefully come spring we will find the perfect house.

5 Things to Know Before Becoming a Homeowner

  1. Save, save, save!!!  Having a good down payment makes a big difference.
  2. Just because a house looks a certain way doesn’t mean you can’t change it.  Like that old wallpaper or avocado green oven in the kitchen.  Don’t let that deter you from buying a house you feel good about.
  3. Location is everything.  Like they always say…that’s the reason we moved.  Our child got older and we moved to get into a better school district.  You can’t change location, but can always change the house or decor.
  4. Get a thorough inspection before buying.  It’s so important because an inspector can see things you won’t & it could save you thousands in the future.
  5. Think about the future and where you want to be.  Is this a 5, 10, or 15 year home and what type of mortgage do you want?

Capital One Home Loans is a great place to start your research.  Capital One has launched a completely re-imagined, personal and digital home loans experience.  This new home loan experience allows customers to pre-qualify for a home loan in minutes from any device, apply online, upload documents and digitally track progress from application to closing. It also includes personalized service from a dedicated loan officer when a customer needs it.

The new tools allow customers to make adjustments (home price, down payment, mortgage type) to see how much they can afford – including estimated monthly payment and APR in real time.  This is one of many steps that Capital One is taking to deliver a next-generation banking experience and make the home loan process simply smarter for customers.
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To celebrate the launch of their new digital and personal experience, Capital One Home Loans is partnering with HGTV’s Love It or List It, Too (I love this show!) stars, Jillian Harris and Todd Talbot, to host a free and open-to-the public Open House event on Saturday, December 12 at the Stonebriar Centre mall in Frisco, TX.

During the event, they’ll share do-it-yourself tips and tricks for simplifying the entire home buying and owning process.

For more information, visit SmartHomeLoans.com

See if you qualify right now with the  Mortgage Loan Calculator

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

 

 

Christmas Appetizer: Tortilla Roll-Ups

This post is sponsored by Mezzetta.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s the holiday season and I sure do love to eat good food during this time of year.  We just finished Thanksgiving and I’ve got a little “turkey hangover” going on.  I love spending time with family and friends.  We also get to eat some of my FAVORITE foods during this time too!

One of my favorite recipes is tortilla roll-ups.  My Mom used to make these for everyone to snack on because you know it takes a good while for the turkey to cook.  You may plan to eat at noon and actually eat at 2 pm.  That’s why it’s nice to have appetizers and finger foods to snack on.

Here’s my recipe for Tortilla Roll-Ups:

Ingredients

  • 1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
  • 1 package bacon flavored cream cheese or bacon bits
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
  • 1/4 C. chopped Mezzetta (Petite Blend) olives, pitted and chopped (These have great flavor, and the red and green colors are extra festive!)
  • 5 flour tortillas (10 inches), room temperature

Directions

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, olives, bacon, green chilies, & sour cream.

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Spread over tortillas.

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Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate over night or until firm.

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Unwrap and cut into 1-inch slices.

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Serve with salsa

Find inspiration for your holiday entertaining and enter for a chance to win the holiday memories sharing pack HERE.

  • Grand Prize (1) – Instant Print Digital Camera plus an Ultimate Olive Lover’s Gift Basket including Mezzetta Olives, Olive Spoon, Cutting Board, Olive Bowl, Cocktail Napkins and Recipe Card.
  • Runner Up Prizes (10) – Ultimate Olive Lover’s Gift Basket including Mezzetta Olives, Olive Spoon, Cutting Board, Olive Bowl, Cocktail Napkins and Recipe Card.

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What’s your favorite recipe during the holidays?  I’d love for you to share 🙂

ICE! 2015 at The Gaylord Texan #VisitICE2015

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We have enjoyed ICE! every year for the past few years here in our home town of Grapevine, TX.  I can’t even put it into words how wonderful it is…but I shall try.

Nothing puts me in a more festive mood than visiting ICE! at the Gaylord Texan.  There is something about all the lights and decorations that you just can’t help but walk around with a wide smile on your face 🙂

This year we were invited to the Gaylord for the first annual Blogger Fam event.  It was so fun and we got a behind the scenes look at how ICE! is created each year.  There is a different theme every year…this year’s theme was “Christmas Around the World”.

You can see our previous visits to ICE! HERE & HERE  & check out the themes over the years.

I’ll let most of the pictures do the talking.  It’s amazing how all this is created in such a short amount of time.

Here are some facts about ICE!:

Experience the magic of Christmas Around the World as you journey through colorful holiday displays. It takes 40 remarkable ice artisans from Harbin, China to create this winter wonderland.  Bring a hat and gloves because it’s a chilly 9 degrees! There are more than TWO MILLION pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures during the Lone Star Christmas celebration in Grapevine, TX.  It also takes two million lights, two million pounds of real Texas snow, 15,000 ornaments, and a 54-foot Christmas tree!

Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world featuring holiday scenes and children from Mexico, Germany, and more!

Enjoy two-story tall ice slides, an enchanting Parade of Toys and larger-than-life ornaments.

Travel through the North Pole and sit inside Santa’s sleigh!

Experience the Frostbite Factory – an interactive ice carving station.

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Conclude your experience with the majesty of a full nativity in stunning, crystal clear ice.

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Hanging out on Santa’s sleigh

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The ice slide 🙂BBP_2140 BBP_2135 BBP_2134

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Snow tubing

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I got to spend a lot of time with these two lovely gals!

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All three of our boys are in Kindergarten this year…they had a blast.  The Three Stooges.BBP_2100 BBP_2090

The inside of the Gaylord Texan is so beautiful!

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Thank you Gaylord Texan for a WONDERFUL stay and we will for sure be back next year for more fun!

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Don’t forget you have a couple of days left to get this deal for 50% off ICE! tickets:

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And the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders event is coming up too! Learn cheers and chants, dance moves, and take fun photos while the whole family enjoys a lavish brunch filled with delicious buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, breakfast tacos, pastries, and so much more.

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Date:  Sunday, December 13
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Yellow Rose Ballroom
Price:

  • $39.99* Adults
  • $19.99 Children (ages 4-12)
  • Children 3 & under: Free

*Pricing includes tax, gratuity and self-parking. Adult beverages for those ages 21 and up available for purchase. One adult cannot accompany more than six children.

Limited seating is available. Reserve your spot today!
Purchase tickets online or call 1-817-778-1000

Take a Load Off With Massage Envy #BecauseMoment #IC

This post was sponsored by Massage Envy as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. 

This season has been so busy.  I love, love, love taking family Christmas pictures and the feeling that the Christmas season brings.  I love helping families create lasting memories even more.  The only thing I don’t like is the toll it takes on my body.

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Carrying around a heavy DSLR camera and huge lens just about does me in.  After a long day of shooting my neck and shoulders are so sore.  It’s hard to put yourself first & it’s easy to just let your body suffer.  Terence and I decided mid last year that we would both start getting massages to help with our overall health.  Because something I love to do should’nt hurt.

Massage Envy is a great place to visit to take care of all your aches and pains.  I truly believe good massages help you live longer!  Everyone in the world takes on daily stress and it effects our bodies, no matter what we are doing.

Getting a massage isn’t just for a holiday or a special occasion, it should be a part of your overall wellness routine.  When I leave a massage I feel like a whole new woman and I can’t tell you how much better I feel.  It’s like my body has just released all it was holding on to and now I can breathe again.

I want to be the best person I can be.  I want to do what I love.  Getting massages regularly helps me do that.  I take care of myself so I can do the best I can for others.  I’m a better wife, mom, and overall person.

And THAT makes me happy! 🙂

So I can help create moments like this…

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Keep up with the latest Massage Envy deals and steals on Facebook & Twitter.

Check out this video below, I know I can relate.

Making the Most of Christmas with #Hallmark

This post is sponsored by Hallmark but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #ad

Christmas time is here * Happiness and cheer * Fun for all that children call * Their favorite time of the year*

I love everything that comes with the Christmas season.  Gathering with family and friends, a visit with Santa, shopping for gifts, and Christmas cards in the mail.  One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays is Hallmark.  They have the cutest gifts and the best stocking stuffers.  From candles, soaps, fluffy socks, stuffed animals, and candy galore….they have it all!

Have you checked out all the Star Wars stuff Hallmark has lately?  Let me just say we have a certain 5-year-old who is counting down the days until the Star Wars movie premier.  It’s everything Star Wars for this kiddo this Christmas.

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Cute little Christmas Yoda, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper.  The Star Wars wrapping paper is also available at Hallmark stores.

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If you searching for a gift for a co-worker or friend the Crafters & Co. gifts at Hallmark are perfect!  Everything from chocolates, artisan-made hand soaps, tea, and candles.  Just a little something extra to show someone you care.

Being a photographer I’m always looking for fun photo backdrops. One of my favorite things to do (and easiest) is to take wrapping paper and hang it behind my subject in a picture.   Nothing fancy…it just makes for a really cute photo!

I got this candy cane wrapping paper at Hallmark, I love their wrapping paper by the way because it’s not the thin, flimsy paper.  It holds up well to folding and taping 🙂

My photo backdrop:

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My handsome subject:

(The reindeer hat and mittens are also a Hallmark find!  Soooo cute and only $9.99 for the set)

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I hope you all have fun shopping, decorating, and gathering this Christmas!

Check out our video below for a sneak peek of all the fun holiday goodies at Hallmark this year.

Chocolate is My Love Language: Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe #SayMore #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you know me well or have been around me a decent amout of time you know my absolute LOVE for all things chocolate!  I recently tried the Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe chocolates and oh my gosh y’all!  Soooo good!  These KISSES are filled with whole roasted hazelnut, creamy layers and delicate crisps.

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Christmas is all about sharing love and spreading cheer.  What better way to say you care about someone than a box full of chocolates???

When I was growing up we would go to church on Sundays and my Dad would ask all the ladies if they wanted a “kiss“.  Of course they would smile and laugh at him…then sort of look at him like he was crazy!  Ha ha!  My Dad would smile back and place a Hershey’s KISS in their hand.  It tickled them and it made their day.  The looks on their faces was priceless when they realized it was a chocolate he was handing them 🙂

My Daddy is awesome like that.  He always thinks of everyone before himself.

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I look forward to the holiday season because of the feeling in the air and everyone just seems to be a little bit nicer.  People give more, do more, and say more.  These KISSES are twice the size of an original KISSES Chocolate.  More to love!  Ha ha!

I’m going to give someone a KISS this holiday….are you?

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Look at the hazelnut center.  I can’t wait to make someone’s day and make them feel special.

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Enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35

Contest opens on November 6, 2015 and closes December 14, 2015

Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Keep up with Hershey’s Kisses on Facebook & Twitter

This video touched my heart.  As Mom’s so many things we do go unnoticed and it’s so sweet what her kids did.  Melt my heart….literally.

How will you make someone’s day this holiday?