The Java Mama’s Favorite Things {2}

If you haven’t already got your holiday shopping going on then you better get that party started!
One of my favorite things to give….and get is anything from 31 Gifts.
I love my purse I got last year, it was perfect for traveling all over Europe with.
It was cute and stylish and the perfect purse to travel with.
I also have a makeup bag I just love from 31 Gifts.
In December, for every $31 spent get a “holibuy” for only $5!


{$5 “holi-buy” items include: Mini Utility Bin, Thermal Tote, Cinch Sac, Timeless Wristlet or Timeless Beauty Bag}

 


ENTER TO WIN:

My good friend Michelle is an awesome

 Thirty-One hostess and is offering one of you a $25 gift certificate!  Go check out her site here!

Check out my party here, and if you’d like to order go right ahead!!!

 Thank you so much Michelle!

Remember to leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing from Thirty-One Gifts is to be eligible for the gift certificate!  I’ll choose a winner on Monday, Dec 3rd.


 

These are Few of My Favorite Things….

I love Christmas.

 

I love everything about it.

 

The traditions, family, food, and first and foremost what it stands for….

Jesus our savior was born, and because of that we can all live today! Amen!

 

I also love celebrating, singing songs, the spirit of giving!

 

Through this blog I’ve met so many wonderful people and we’ve shared so much throughout the years.  Ya’ll have given me advice on parenting, food, what kind of concealer to buy so I don’t look like a zombie….etc.  I could go on and on….but that would take forever!
So, in the spirit of sharing and giving I wanted to share a few of my favorite things….now it’s not going to be like Oprah yuns…..but it will be fun and you’ll score some good deals and maybe some free stuff too 🙂
First up is one of my favorite places for paper goodies!  Milo Paper is such a cute shop.  They have an adorable line of Christmas cards and gift stickers this season.  Not to mention they are some of the nicest folks around….they’ll make sure your order is exactly how you want it and the best quality too.

Love these gift labels!
Milo Paper is offering Java Mama readers
40% off anything on their site!!!!
Woohoo!!!!
Use code : java2012
(You have to create an account on the website for the promo to work)
Have fun shopping ya’ll!
I know you will be very pleased with everything you see at Milo Paper 🙂

 

If you like getting mail then you’ll like this!

I recently joined a new monthly subscription program called Citrus Lane.

“With Citrus Lane, you’ll get a box every month filled with cute and practical products recommended by real moms.  Tell us your child’s birth date (up to 3 years) and we’ll do the rest.”

This was probably my favorite item in the box and I’m sure it’s the highest priced item:

Great for snacking on the go or hiking
 Also great for snacking- an insulated snack bag

 Lotions

I’ve never heard of this brand, but any way I can squeeze fruit or veggies in is good in my book!

We love Ella’s Kitchen products.  I have never seen these two in the store so I can’t wait to try them out….although I am not sure this is age appropriate for Connor.  He’s two and we are obviously on solids, but he still eats a veggie or fruit pouch every now and then!

 Coupons
JOIN CITRUS LANE TODAY!!!

Right now you can start  your monthly subscription for less! Take 20% off the cost of your subscription with code 20TODAY. You’ll save $15 on three months, $25 on six months, or $50 on twelve months

(These opinions are my own, Citrus Lane has no affiliation with this review)

If you have a favorite product of the week go link up HERE

And if you LOVE getting things in the mail like me….
Then you can check out all the great subscriptions below :

KIWI CRATE ($20 Monthly – Enjoy monthly projects that spark creativity and curiosity for kids ages 3-7. All materials and inspiration included.)

BARK BOX ($17 Monthly – high quality, hand-selected goodies and essentials for dogs)

WITTLEBEE ($40 Monthly – customized box of clothes from newborn – 5 years old.  Fill out a style profile & you’ll receive a new box of clothes every month.)

MY GLAM BAG ($10 Monthly – makeup bag full of beauty products- not necessarily name brand)

BLUUM ($9 Monthly – 4-5 baby care and mom wellness samples to pamper you and your baby)

BIRCHBOX ($10 Monthly- box full of makeup samples – name brand)

MANPACKS (Men’s underwear, socks, razors & more – every 3 months.)


LOST CRATES ($38 Monthly – includes notebooks, pens, and stationery to staplers, picture frames and dozens of other desk accessories.)

ECO-EMI ($15 Monthly – Organic & Natural products delivered to your door)

GO GO GIRLFRIEND ($12.99 Monthly – trial to full size samples of health, home and beauty products.)

UMBA BOX ($26 Monthly – A box of handmade and curated items delivered to your doorstep)

CRAVEBOX ($10 Monthly- products, gadgets, doodads and supplies focused around a theme, activity, occasion or hobby that our Members love.)

JULEP MAVEN ($20 Monthly – trendsetting polish colors and cutting-edge treatment products each month customized in a gift-able Sneak Peek Box)

BLISSMO BOX ($19 Monthly – organic & eco-friendly products delivered right to your door)

Favorite Products of the Week

 Okay I have LOTS of favorites every week!
It’s hard to narrow it down because I like so many things 🙂

I love Milo Paper.  They make the most adorable family calendars.  You can get a weekly or monthly one.  All you need is a dry erase marker and it’s easy to clean and stick on your fridge.  Lord knows I need some organization in my life.  I love the style and color I picked out…. GREEN!

She also designs the cutest stationary as well.  Check out Connor’s cards :

I saw this at the grocery store the other day.  I just about fell over.  DARK CHOCOLATE MOCHA WHIPPED CREAM???  It’s from a company called Blosm and they have several other flavors as well.

My favorite nail polish all fall and winter is this $1.99 NYC gray.  It will work great for spring/summer as well and it was so cheap and doesn’t chip!  Sometimes cheaper is better!

And last but not least my head is spinning with ideas for this kiddo’s 2nd birthday party coming up.  It’s my one time a year to party plan and let my creative juices flow!  Since he’ll probably be my only baby boo I’m trying to convince Daddy that its worth every penny and we should celebrate his birthday the best we can….yes we have a budget, but thanks to Pinterest I’ve been going a little CRAZY! Ha ha! 

I plan on making his cake and doing most of the decor myself.  So hopefully I can get it all done for around $100-$200 and we are not going to have food this year.  Just cake/hot chocolate bar/ and favors 🙂

The hot chocolate bar will be for these bad boys:
I was thinking of letting the kids fill a bag with cocoa and all the toppings then taking it home.  Or should I just let them drink it and top it off there?  Thoughts???


These are a Few of my Favorite Things

 I am loving this Hervana blush by Benefit.  It’s the perfect color combination and looks GREAT on anyone!

 Mango Body Butter from The Body Shop…….mmmmm delish!
 Uni-Ball Vision Eline fine point pens…..I love a good fine point 🙂
 Taking pictures of diva doggies!
I got to take pictures of Kindra’s precious Pecos last night…it was so much fun!
The girls got me this cute Starbucks mug = LOVE.
Thank you!!!!
Freeze It hairspray…oh what would I do without you???
My fro would be outta control!

What are you loving???
I always like to hear what people think is awesome….so thought I would share some randomness today!  :-)

Starbucks Holiday Drink Recipes

On average, Americans consume 3.1 cups of coffee a day and if Starbucks is your brewery of choice, that’s $33 per work week for a grande-sized pick-me-up.
So why not make them at home? With the right recipe you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink without putting a dent in your wallet.

Recipes Below :

Gingerbread Latte

Recipe:

First prepare the Gingerbread Syrup

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce hit and allow for syrup to simmer. Leave uncovered for 15 minutes and then remove from fire.

1/2 cup fresh espresso

8 ounces milk, steamed
Prepare a double shot of espresso and steam 8 ounces of milk. Pour 1/2 cup of espresso into mug, add 1/4 cup of gingerbread syrup followed by the milk. Stir and serve hot.

Caramel Brulée Latte
Recipe:

2 oz. espresso or strong coffee

8 oz. steamed milk

1 oz. vanilla bean syrup

2 tbsp. caramel ice cream topping
Brew coffee or espresso. Line mug with caramel topping, add syrup and then espresso. Steam milk and pour into cup.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Recipe:

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons

2 tablespoons canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee)

Combine milk, pumpkin and sugar in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until steamed. Remove from hit and stir in vanilla and pumpkin spice. Transfer the mixture into a blender and process for 10 seconds or until foamy. Or you can simply whisk the mixture until foam appears
Pour into mug, add espresso and enjoy.

Peppermint Mocha

Recipe:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

3 tablespoons powdered cocoa

3 tablespoons warm water

1/2 cup hot espresso

1 1/2 cups hot milk

Stir the water and sugar in a saucepan until sugar dissolves and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and add peppermint extract. Allow mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
Mix cocoa and water in a mag until paste forms. Add espresso and 1 1/2 teaspoon of the peppermint syrup. Finally, add the milk and serve hot.

Eggnog Latte

Recipe:

1/2 cup eggnog

1/4 cup whole milk

1-2 shots espresso

Sprinkle of nutmeg for garnish

Combine cold eggnog with cold milk and steam. Add espresso shots to steamed eggnog mixture and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Chai Tea Latte

Recipe:

3 cups water

3 cups milk

6-8 black tea bags

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Bring water and milk to a boil. Add remaining ingredients, return to boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags then filter. Serve hot or iced.

Read more: HERE

Fun Finds Friday

I know you’ve been asking yourself “What did Connor do while Mom & Dad were away?”  And if you didn’t then I just want to let you know that we did not leave our baby unattended to eat carpet fuzz, play in the toilet, and change his own poopy diapers!  Ha..ha..
My Mom & Dad graciously drove here from Arkansas over spring break to watch Connor James.  I know he had the best time with them and he was spoiled completely rotten.  I think it was a great bonding time for them.  I came home from our trip to find his closet full of new clothes and he now has an insane infatuation with Elmo.  I sure hope Elmo is a girl because there have been some serious slob fests going on with Elmo these days!  I can never tell because Elmo has such a high voice???
Elmo love
We got this cute owl shirt at Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC.  It says “Whooo ate my candy?”
See what I mean???  The dude is in LOVE!
And we even found Connor’s girlfriend while we were in Central Park! 
Look it’s ELMO!!!
I did get frequent text pictures from my parents pertaining to their daily activities…..
 Connor got an Easter “Thing-a-ma-jig”
AKA: Little critters that sing and make noise when you squeeze their arms
Trying to fill Poppy’s shoes 🙂
Loving on Elmo in PUBLIC! Slow down on the PDA Connor 😛
Riding the train with Nana
At the zoo with Nana and Poppy
Connor also got to spend Friday and Saturday with his Grana & Pop (Terence’s parents)
We are very grateful for such wonderful babysitters so we could have a vacation together!!!
THANK YOU!!!
………………………………………………….
I have gotten not one…but TWO free Starbucks this week!
1.  At Kroger they have a Starbucks in the store.  My drink is actually .70 cents cheaper at the Kroger for some reason???  They also scan your Kroger card and you get points and randomly get a free drink.  I GOT ONE.
2. Today I was in line and pulled up to pay and the girl said “It’s free today!”  I have no clue…BUT I GOT ANOTHER FREE DRINK!  Holla!

If you want to be added to the Starbucks wall on the right just email me your lovely mug at beckylbranch@gmail.com

Did you know that Apple and MAC Cosmetics are teaming up to create a new makeup line?  Crazy!

Look at these cuties :

I really want to try GiGi’s Cupcakes in Dallas.  I love Sprinkles, but these just look divine!  And I just got an email with some of their new cupcakes for spring…..droooooool……

Smore’s & Chocolate Cream Pie
Everyone have a great weekend!!!