Over The Top Mommy

Year: 2015

Who are YOU going to BOO This Year? I’m BOO’ing the Teachers! (Plus “Monster” Cookies Recipe) #BOOItForward

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BOOItForward #CollectiveBias

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I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I can’t say that the weather cools down much here in Southern California but you DO start to see pumpkins and Halloween decorations all around. It’s one of my favorite holidays of the year and I get so excited to kick off the Halloween season by BOO’ing people at the beginning of October.

its-halloween-timeIf you aren’t familiar with the modern-day tradition of BOO’ing, it’s really fun and easy to do. You just put together a little anonymous Halloween surprise for someone and deliver it. The surprise usually consists of some type of treats in a cute Halloween bucket, basket, or even gift bag. You also include a BOO sign and instructions so that whoever you BOO, can BOO someone too! (Hey, that rhymes!)

all-I-needI found all of the items I needed for my BOO’ing at Walmart. On the Seasonal aisle, I found giant Mars Chocolate Mix Fun Size bag of assorted candies, including M&M’s®, TWIX®, and SNICKERS®.

found-at-walmartOn the soft drinks aisle, I grabbed a couple of 6-packs of special Halloween “Mini Monster” cans of Sunkist® and 7UP®. They’re adorable with little monsters on them! l also found the ingredients I needed to make my “Monster” Cookies. (It’s a special Halloween cookie recipe we make every year using M&M’s® and TWIX®).

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cut-up-TWIXIn past years, we’ve BOO’d neighbors on our street, friends who live close by, and even relatives who live in our same town. This year I think I’ll do some BOO’ing at my school. I teach first grade and I know of some teachers who would appreciate a little BOO surprise on their desk one morning. ( I know I would!) Teachers are really easy to please and love almost anything.

teachers-love-treatsI decided to make little BOO kits with some snacks and mini cans that my teacher friends could enjoy during their break time. I also baked up a fresh batch of my “Monster” Cookies to include in each BOO’ing kit! (see below for recipe)

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Here are the items I used for my BOO’ing kits: 

  • assorted chocolates from 
  • “Mini Monster” cans of 7UP® & Sunkist®
  • black and white polka dotted paper straws 
  • black and white striped washi tape
  • googly eyes
  • regular tape
  • decorative black and orange plastic patterned popcorn boxes
  • cellophane bags
  • decorative ribbon
  • Mouthwatering “Monster” Cookies monster-cookies

Since I purchased Halloween “mini monster” cans of Sunkist® and 7UP® for my BOO’ing kits, I cut down some cute paper straws a little and used washi tape to attach them to the cans. It makes an adorable presentation.

mini-cans-sunkistI also used some big googly eyes on the popcorn boxes to make them look a little cuter. You could use glue or even tape to attach them.

box-with-eyesAfter I baked my cookies and let them cool, I stacked up a few and put them into a cellophane bag and tied it with a festive Halloween ribbon. My “Monster” Cookies are pretty big so only a few fit in each bag.

fill-with-candiesIt was fun to put the BOO’ing kits together. First, I filled the bottom of each popcorn box with the candies. Then, I placed a Halloween “Mini Monster” can inside, then I filled it to the top with more candy. I set the tied up cellophane bag of cookies on top of the box (I told you they were giant cookies!) and placed the “We’ve Been BOO’d” printables” next to each surprise on each of the teachers’ desks!

as-giddy-as-a-first-graderI don’t know about you, but I get as giddy as a first grader when it comes to leaving surprises like this! I couldn’t wait for them to discover they’d been BOO’d!

BOO-printableTo make BOO’ing easier, MARS has provided a free “We’ve Been BOO’d” sign that you can print out and use with your BOO’ing kit. Just click here to download yours and print.

After you print out the pages: 

  1. Cut out the “We’ve been BOO’d” sign.
  2. Fold the “You’ve been BOO’d” greeting card (page 2) and tape openings together.
  3. Include the card (and sign if you don’t want to remain anonymous) when you BOO someone! 

boo-the-teachersLook how cute these turned out! It’s so much fun to BOO at work! Having a “We’ve Been BOO’d” sign on the classroom door is really fun, too!

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monster-cookies-signHere’s my recipe for “Monster” Cookies. It’s fairly simple to prepare and the cookies turn out delicious every time.

“Monster” Cookie Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 10-12 Fun Size Twix Bars, chopped
  • 8-10 Fun Size packs of M&M’s®
  •  1 package of candy eyeballs monster-eyes

“Monster” Cookie Preparation: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. (This is my best kept baking secret.)
  3. Chop up approximately 1/2 cup Twix bars and set aside.
  4. Measure out 1/2 cup M&M’s and also set aside.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.
  6. In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated and brown sugars, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating them in after each one is added. beat-the-ingredients
  7. Beat in the flour mixture gradually.
  8. Mix in the Twix and M&Ms with a wooden spoon. add-the-candies
  9. Spoon generous portions of the cookie dough onto the parchment paper-covered baking sheet. (They’re supposed to be pretty giant.)
  10. Bake 5 minutes.
  11. Remove from the oven and add a few more pieces of each candy plus 1-3 candy eyeballs on the top of each cookie. This will help them to bake while staying visible in the cookie.
  12. Bake 3-5 more minutes or until golden brown.
  13. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

Right now, you can save $2.00 on on ONE (1) 6pk 8oz Cans or TWO (2) 2L and 2 bags of Mars® Candy at Walmart. Click here for coupons. Also, don’t forget to enter the Boo It Forward Sweepstakes! #booitforwardsweepstakes

So are you ready to go out and BOO someone now? I hope I’ve inspired you to “BOO It Forward”! 

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Spend a Magical Morning Participating in the 2015 CHOC “Walk in the Park” at The Disneyland Resort!

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It was such an honor to be part of the 24th Annual CHOC “Walk in the Park” at The Disneyland Resort last year that we’re participating in it again this year!

doing-it-againIn 2014, 16,000 walkers who came out to walk for the children and, as a result, over 2 million dollars was raised. The monies go straight towards helping fund care, family services, education, and research that CHOC provides for so many. As a teacher who is local to the CHOC area, I have know many families who have received services there, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. It’s a pretty amazing place!

a-little-bit-about-CHOC-Walk-in-the-ParkCHOC “Walk in the Park”, presented by the Disneyland Resort, is the largest, most unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. This year’s event will be held the morning of Sunday, October 11 and is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 participants from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan. (I think it’s going to exceed last year’s number.) More exciting news is that the CHOC Walk is celebrating its 25th silver anniversary this year simultaneously with the Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration.

how-can-you-helpThere are a few different ways that YOU can help! First of all, you can participate in the CHOC Walk, yourself. Grab your friends, grab your family, even grab some of your Instagram followers, and join in! There aren’t many things that can drag an adult out of bed this early on a weekend. You’ll be beyond touched when you are surrounded by the crowd. I shed quite a few tears during the event.

youll-be-touchedYou’ll see so many families walking together as a way to say “thank you” to the doctors and nurses at CHOC, as well as honor their loved ones who have been patients there. It’s an experience I highly recommend, especially something to include your own child(ren) in.

theres-something-magicalAlso, getting to walk inside of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure before opening hours is something you can’t even pay to do! It’s a magical experience. Trust me when I say that The Disneyland Resort will have lots of surprises awaiting the CHOC Walkers because they just don’t disappoint. To register as individual or find a team to walk with for CHOC Walk, click here.

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new-for-2015Each year, the CHOC Walk features a special ambassador. This year’s CHOC Walk ambassador is Mac Christman. Read more about Mac’s story here. As part of this year’s event, CHOC Children’s is hosting its first CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.

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The CHOC Walk Ambassador’s Luau promises to be a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family that will take place the day before the CHOC “Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort. For more information about this special event and to purchase tickets, click here.

walk-as-a-sleeping-bearAnother way for people to support the event is to register for the Walk as a “Sleeping Bear.” This special designation allows CHOC supporters who cannot make it on Walk day to still raise money and support CHOC Children’s.

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“Sleeping Bears” receive a CHOC Walk T-shirt and are eligible to earn prizes from their fundraising efforts. For more information about how to register as a “Sleeping Bear”, click here.

were-participatingThere are so many ways you can show support for CHOC Walk! We’re participating again this year to show our own support. Won’t you join us?

Learn more about this year’s event, register, or donate, click here.  Connect with CHOC Walk in the Park on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. Logo images property of CHOC and Disneyland Resort. 

 

My Adventures at CosmetiCare Medspa Continue! This Time I’m Talking About Voluma!

Disclosure: I am part of CosmetiCare’s Mom Ambassador Program. I received medspa services in order to write my review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

in-an-ideal-worldI recently wrote about my first visit to CosmetiCare’s medspa for some Botox. It was the first in a series of anti-aging treatments I get to try out as part of their Mom Ambassador program.  I loved what the Botox ended up doing for my face. I feel like the wrinkles that bothered me immensely are pretty much gone, at least for now. I am amazed at all of the non-invasive and non-surgical options that are available to help fight against the aging process.

so-many-optionsThis time, I’m here to share about my experience with one of the injectable fillers they offer in the medspa at CosmetiCare, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC is my new favorite. Of course, I may actually say that about everything I’m trying at CosmetiCare because, so far, I’ve loved the Botox AND now this. It’s so convenient to have the option of getting an “instant makeover” on my lunchtime if I choose to do so.  Nowadays, patients are able to get a lot of the same results that surgery used to accomplish. with virtually no down time and minimal pain.

help-my-faceMy technician and I had a little chat before doing anything. Do you know what happens to your face as you get older? It’s just not good news. I basically learned that as we get older, we lose a lot of the volume in our faces, like in our cheeks, and it can cause our face to sometimes appear gaunt.  I swear there have actually been times when I’ve looked in the mirror and felt like my face was falling. Well, my consultant confirmed that it actually is falling as I age!

Juvederm-boxI’m not willing to stand by and let that happen though! She suggested a little bit of “plumping” using fillers and I said “YES!” to that! CosmetiCare offers JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC. This product is an injectable gel that instantly adds volume to the cheek area. It gives you a subtle lift and helps to restore contour and a more youthful profile to your face, for up to 2 years!

white-lines-on-my-faceThe technician literally drew white lines on my face where she was going to fill it in. It was really fun to see the transition in my face because she showed me one cheek when it already had filler in it. If you’re wondering if it hurts, it really doesn’t. It’s a lot of little pokes and you need to sit still, but trust me, I’m a pretty big “baby” and if I can do it, anyone can. I think the technicians at CosmetiCare are also just really good with their hands. Because they’ve received extensive training, they know how to do the injections quickly and efficiently with minimal bruising.

after-botox-and-volumaSo, I’d say that I’m extremely happy with my results so far. I took this selfie after I’d had both treatments and you can see that both the Botox and the Voluma have done their “jobs”.

What do you think about my results so far? Do you have any questions for me about my medspa treatments? Ask away!

California Water is a Precious Resource. Make Every Drop Count with Scotts® EveryDrop™!

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts® EveryDrop™.  All opinions are 100% my own. 

With the lack of rainfall to replenish our water supply , California is in a serious drought state of emergency. This is a sponsored post written by me for Scotts® EveryDrop™ to discuss how we can each help with the situation. All opinions are my own. 

make-every-drop-countThe reality of  the drought in California is now scarier than ever and it’s not getting any better.  Everywhere I look there are lawns and landscapes that have major portions browning. There are posted signs in the different communities, stating specifics for community water-conservation goals, as well as the strictly enforced watering days. After more than a few consecutive years of a drought here in California, we need so badly to take some major steps to conserve water and make what we’re using last longer.

After our own Governor Brown mandated a 25% cut in water usage in California, many residents have opted for plants that require very little water and some have even replaced lawns with artificial turfs. However, for those who have decided to keep their yards, they are having to maintain them with A LOT less water.  This is where an amazing product called Scotts® EveryDrop™ can help.  The California Department of Food and Agriculture actually approved the registration for Scotts® EveryDrop™ this past summer, as an innovative consumer product that helps residents conserve water.

Scotts-EveryDropScotts® EveryDrop™, developed by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, is a water maximizer for lawns and landscapes, designed to move more water into the soil, consistently and evenly, even in dry, hard-to-wet soils. EveryDrop™ is a unique formula of wetting agents, which help more water penetrate soil and get to the roots, where it is needed most. More water in the soil means less is wasted through surface runoff and pooling. One application lasts for four weeks, so no matter how you water; relying on rain, sprinklers, or hoses, EveryDrop™ helps maximize the water in your outdoor space long after the initial application and it’s so easy to use.

EveryDrop-helps-maximizeOften times in dry conditions, soils compact and cause available rain or irrigation water to bead on the surface and be wasted. EveryDrop® is a watering agent that uses an innovative surfactant technology to help available water penetrate the soil more easily and evenly so it can better reach the roots zone and hydrate the plants. EveryDrop™ helps homeowners use up to 25 percent less water on their lawns and landscapes.

EveryDrop-applicationAs a first grade teacher and a mom, I’ve always made it a point to teach both my students and my own daughter about the importance of water conservation. I’ve taught them that “Everyday is Earth Day” and I’ve tried to help them see that they, too, can make an impact on our Earth. There are so many little things we can all do at home on a daily basis, such as turn off the water when brushing our teeth, take shorter showers and avoid baths unless totally necessary, and minimize the water usage during the washing of your daily dishes. Sadly, these things I’ve taught the kids to do are just part of what is going to make an impact at this point.

California residents, up and down the state, have to really consider their use of water on their lawns and landscapes too now, IN A BIG WAY. Well-fed lawns and plants are more efficient at using available water. For optimal results, feed your lawn and plants with Scotts® and Miracle-Gro®. California water is a precious resource and we have to make every drop count!

 

For additional information about EveryDrop® and to find more water conservation tips, click here.

 

{Giveaway} “Dear Sofia – A Royal Collection” Now Available on Disney DVD! FREE Printable Activities, Too!

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Now out on Disney DVD! Join Sofia as she receives guidance from Disney Princesses and goes on a daring adventure with Mulan in the Kingdom of Wei Ling, soars through the skies with Jasmine on a magic carpet ride, and discovers important lessons about friendship and life’s true gifts from Belle and Tiana. Packed with endless fun, music and heart – plus two additional episodes – “Dear Sofia: A Royal Collection” is a not-to-be-missed celebration highlighting the qualities that make a true princess – honesty, loyalty, compassion and grace.

DearSofiaARoyalDollectionDVD.jpg_cmyk“Dear Sofia: A Royal Collection” includes 6 adventure-filled episodes, plus a FREE Sofia-themed stationary set for kids to write a hand-written letter to Sofia. Each child who submits a letter will receive a response back from Sofia in the mail. I also have a special activity for you! Just click on the image below, print out and have some fun!

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enter-to-win-your-very-own-copyI’m also giving away a copy of this DVD to one lucky reader. Enter below on the Rafflecopter! Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Spread the Love With SNICKERS® Teacher Emergency Kits! (With Free Printable) #EatASnickers

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are mine alone. #EatASnickers #CollectiveBias

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I absolutely LOVE teaching first grade! My students are so adorable and at that age, they’re like little sponges that soak up just about everything you teach them. Many times, their questions are super random and adorable, too!

i-heart-first-gradeIt takes A LOT of energy and enthusiasm to keep up with my first graders though, especially in the afternoon. I’m pretty powered up in the morning from my coffee, but in the afternoon, I sometimes wish I had a pick me up to get me through to the end of the day. We have a very long stretch from lunch to dismissal and I sometimes feel like I start to “lose my enthuse” when I start to get hungry!

SNICKERS-personality-barsHave you seen these adorable SNICKERS® bars at Walmart yet? They’re in the check out aisle and each one has a different “personality” on the wrapper.

SNICKERS-personality-bars-checkout-aisleSome of the labels are pretty funny. I couldn’t decide which one described me best when I get hungry so I bought them all! I’m pretty sure I’m a “Drama Mama” at all times though, not just when I”m hangry! I took them to my classrom to stock up my desk so when it’s hungry o’ clock, I can sneak bites when my students aren’t looking! Shhh, just don’t tell them. Every SNICKERS® is packed with roasted peanuts, nougat, caramel and milk chocolate and they hit the spot every time.

SNICKERS-Drama-MamaI also decided to spread the love to the other teachers on my grade level because there’s no way I’m the only one experiencing those mid-afternoon pangs of hunger and bouts of energy loss. I put together some “Teacher Emergency Jars” to bring to work and surprise them with.

SNICKERS-teacher-survival-kitHere’s what you’ll need to make your own “Teacher Emergency Jars“:

  • SNICKERS® bars (about 5-7 regular size bars fit in each Mason Jar)
  • 1 Mason jar for each kit you plan to make. I found a super cute one with a brightly colored lid.
  • Decorative ribbon, burlap, or even tulle of your choice. I went with some blue tulle for mine.
  • tape or washi tape
  • “Teacher Emergency Jar” printable (Download yours for FREE by clicking on the image below.) You could also use a handwritten label.teacher-emergency-jar-printable-trio (1)

These are very simple to put together. Here’s how to assemble yours:

  1. Remove the lid from Mason Jar and fill with the SNICKERS® bars.
  2. Print out my printable I printed mine out on cardstock because it’s a little sturdier. You can also make your own, or even hand write something to stick on the jar. Use either tape on the back of it or a couple pieces of washi tape to stick it on the front of the Mason Jar. Don’t worry about the washi tape not looking perfect. It’s supposed to look sporadically placed.
  3. Replace the lid and close up the jar.
  4. Tie some ribbon or tulle around the top of the jar.
  5. Give to those special teachers in your life.

assembling-teacher-emergency-jarI guarantee that any teacher who receives one of these will be appreciate of your thoughtfulness, especially because it includes SNICKERS®!

So who are YOU when you’re hungry? Take the super fun SNICKERS® quiz below to see who you are when you’re hungry. (I took it and got “Drama Mama”! No surprise, right? )

[playbuzz-item url=”https://www.playbuzz.com/joemurphy10/a-who-are-you-when-youre-hungry” info=”true” shares=”false” comments=”false” recommend=”false”]

 

{Giveaway} VeggieTales Live! Coming to the City National Grove of Anaheim on Friday, October 23!

Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and all of their Veggie friends are coming to the City National Grove of Anaheim on Friday, October 23, in the all new fresh, funny, and unforgettable VeggieTales Live! Little Kids Do Big Things tour.

veggietales-at-anaheimVeggieTales Live! Little Kids Do Big Things is a must-see, fun filled celebration for families and VeggieTales fans of all ages. Join the VeggieTales crew in a musical review that celebrates that with help and faith, even little kids can do big things too! This all new production features live performances of Veggie silly song favorites like The Hairbrush Song and I Love My Lips as well as songs that inspire like Big Things Too. Children will be thrilled to see their favorite Veggie friends live on stage performing in a rollicking musical review of VeggieTales greatest hits. This high-energy show is sure to delight children and families of all ages.

veggie-talesVeggieTales is the best selling brand that delivers stories and songs kids love and values parents appreciate. It is the go to brand for families for wholesome quality entertainment that promotes values and lessons kids use for a lifetime such as telling the truth, sharing and forgiveness.

Tickets to VeggieTales Live! Little Kids Do Big Things tour can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or at The City National Grove of Anaheim theater box office. A limited number of VIP tickets are available, which include premium seating and a special meet and greet with your favorite VeggieTales characters!

For the most up to date tour itinerary & additional ticket and tour info, please click here.

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I’m also hosting a giveaway. The City National Grove of Anaheim is providing one family 4-pack of tickets to the VeggieTales Live show on October 23, 2105 at 6:30 p.m for one of my lucky readers!  To enter my giveaway, just follow the directions on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with The City National Grove of Anaheim on Facebook and Twitter.

This is not a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own. VeggieTales images property of VeggieTales. 

NOW Is The Perfect Time to Grab Your 2016 Knott’s Season Pass!

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Now-is-the-perfect-timeI’m LOVING the arrival of Fall, even though it’s still boiling hot in SoCal! However, the “official” arrival of Fall means that all of the big holidays are just around the corner! Can you tell the holidays are my favorite time of year?

our-family-loves-knottsFor anyone who’s a lover of Knott’s Berry Farm (like me), the end of the year is the BEST time to grab Knott’s Season Passes for the upcoming year. Yep, you can buy Knott’s 2016 Season Passes right now at their lowest prices of the year!

with-snoopyYou can pay them off with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments. Yes! Knott’s will let you make payments. That makes it even more affordable.

2016-knotts-berry-farm-season-pass-regularBuy your 2016 Season Pass now and enjoy unlimited visits in 2016 with no blackout dates plus discounts on food and merchandise! Regular Season Passholders also receive a discount on tickets to Knott’s Scary Farm!

knotts-scary-farm-ticketsKnott’s is also offering a 2016 Gold Season Pass. You also have the option to make payments with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments.

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With the Knott’s Gold Season Pass you get 2 parks in 1. If you opt to purchase a 2016 Gold Season Pass you’ll enjoy 2 Parks,  including all the thrilling rides at Knott’s Berry Farm and cool slides at Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. It pays for itself in less than 2 visits! Gold Season Passholders also receive a discount on Knott’s Scary Farm tickets.

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So here’s another option. It’s one of my FAVORITE options to add onto Knott’s Season Passes, especially for families! I’m talking about the Knott’s Regular Season Pass WITH the Dining Plan! It can be expensive to spend a day out with your family and have to feed them meals. This is such an affordable option and allows you to save so much money on food for your family, when you’re at Knott’s. You also the option to make payments with Season Pass Easy Pay Payments.

kbf_2015regularpass-dining_storeWith a Season Pass Plus All-Season Dining, you get all the exclusive benefits of being a Season Passholder, plus one lunch and one dinner at participating locations throughout the park every day you visit Knott’s Berry Farm in 2016. Beverages are not included.

knotts-hatsNot only do Knott’s Season Passes make a great gift for friends and family, they are an incredible deal for any family, large or small! They’re affordable and allow you to create new memories together, throughout the year!

For more information and pricing for Knott’s Season Passes, click here.  Connect with Knott’s on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

I’m Loving the Non-Surgical Options at CosmetiCare Medspa! First Up: Botox!

Disclosure: I am part of CosmetiCare’s Mom Ambassador Program. I received medspa services in order to write my review. All opinions are 100% my own. youre-only-as-old-as-you-feelWhen you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?  We’re all going to age eventually and basically have 2 options: embrace it and just age gracefully or be pro-active about the whole thing. In my opinion, both of these are perfectly fine options and it’s a personal choice that every individual has to make. Personally, I’m going to do whatever I can to fight this aging process. I’m going down with a fight!

do-you-like-what-you-seeThank goodness for CosmetiCare, Orange County’s leading cosmetic surgery center and medspa! They help thousands of clients each year to love the way they look. With a motto like “Love The Way You Look“, I know they totally “get” me! 

love-the-way-you-lookCosmetiCare is located in beautiful Newport Beach, California. (Yes, it’s where some of The Real Housewives of Orange County had procedures done.) They offer a variety of both surgical and non-surgical procedures. As part of their CosmetiCare Mom Ambassador Program, I’m excited to try out some of the anti-aging treatments available in the medspa and share my thoughts and results with you, my readers! Some of my girlfriends are also participating in this program and we’ll all be sharing about their experiences on CosmetiCare’s site, right here.

Cosmeticare-medspaThe CosmetiCare medspa is an amazing place. Nowadays, it’s more common for women (and men) to be seek out non-invasive, non-surgical options, as opposed to cosmetic surgery, to keep them looking their best. On my first visit, I received a private, one on one consultation. All of the consultants at CosmetiCare are highly trained professionals that listen to the clients and figure out a custom treatment plan, according to what the client is hoping to achieve.

forehead-beforeI shared with my consultant that the wrinkles in my forehead area and between my eyes really bothered me. I also told her how much I disliked my crow’s feet. I shared how frustrating it was for me to take any pictures outside without my sunglasses on,  because I’d always photograph so wrinkly or look like I was frowning. She suggested I try some Botox. I was totally onboard for trying Botox. I’d heard friends talk about getting it done before and now it was my turn. 

crows-feet-beforeOk so let’s talk about Botox. I never realized how much of a difference Botox can actually make on your face. I thought my crows feet were a lost cause. I look back and think about all of that high school tanning and cringe now!

botoxIt’s a good idea before getting any injections, like Botox, to avoid alcohol and Ibuprofin during the days prior. This helps minimize bleeding and bruising. Your technician will most likely provide you with an ice pack to numb the area she’s going to inject, a little bit. The injections don’t “hurt”, they’re just a series of tiny pokes in each area. They feel weird but there’s honestly nothing to be afraid of. I brought a water bottle to squeeze while getting the injections.

between-brows-after

I received Botox in my forehead, in between my brows, on the outside area of my eyes, to target my crow’s feet, and even some above each eyebrow, to help lift the area some.  The procedure was over pretty quickly too. After you get Botox, you can usually see the results within 5-7 days afterwards. I can tell a huge difference in my face now and am so pleased with my results. If you look at the picture I posted above, it was taken outside, in the daylight and is unedited and has no filters on it. The area between my brows and my forehead used to wrinkle up if I was outside without sunglasses. The Botox has worked a miracle in that area. I was told that it should last about 6-9 months.

cosmeticare-succulentIf you’ve ever been curious about Botox or any other injectables, I would recommend you just make an appointment with one of the medspa consultants at CosmetiCare and go have all of your questions answered. Most likely, you’ll want to schedule and do it right away after you meet with them because that’s how it happened for me! They say you’re only as old as you feel! Thanks to CosmetiCare, I don’t feel as old anymore!

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