mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

{DIY Video}: Craft a Robot from Recyclable Materials

I have the most amazingly imaginative 8 1/2 year-old son.  So proud of a fun announcement he has coming soon, but in the meantime, check out the crafty creation he wanted to share with the world!

This is a great idea to add to your Summer Fun List as well! Enjoy!

 

 

Crafty robot-maker also suggests you can personalize your robot any way you like! Think: pom-poms secured with glue dots, pipe cleaner antennae, foamies or even the top of the water bottle that you cut off and use that as a hat! The possibilities are endless!

 

video and photo shot in HD with my Sony NEX-5

The World of Coca-Cola Store: My Goodies

As you may know, I recently attended Conversations with Coca-Cola, a conference experience that gave me some insight into the world of Coca-Cola.  I was so blown away by this company -- they don't just talk the talk -- they walk the walk. 

During our time in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia, we were whisked way from our comfy conference roundtable chairs and given a V.I.P. tour of the World of Coca-Cola.  That was such an experience all by itself that I can't wait to share more in detail about it with you.  At the end of our tour, Coca-Cola graciously treated us to a fun shopping spree inside their Coca-Cola Store.  I could not believe my eyes!  So many fun finds all in one place.

Here are just a few of the fun finds I brought home with me that make me smile and relive the experience all over again!

 

This is such a fun find and I can't wait to have it alongside my Disney keychain - two of my favorite brands "hanging out" together! Although this can be found at the Coca-Cola Store, it was actually given to us at the conference.

 

Seriously how cute are these? The instant I saw them I knew my 3 boys needed to have them. They are fun and easy to clean! {Coca-Cola 10 oz. contour tumbler with lid & straw}

 

And, when I was getting ready to wash the cups for use, I noticed the sticker on bottom. These cuties are manufactured at Berry Plastics,  just 40 minutes away from my house!

 

My go-to cup around the house now!

 

Oh my goodness, how I LOOOOVE this rolling cooler bag! We literally lived out of it this past weekend at our baseball tournaments! So cute and easy to tote around!  Both Allie over at Screwed Up Texan and I picked this up and were so excited to use it!

 

Peace, Love & Coke. I couldn't have said it better myself! This cute tote is my new summer bag! With functional pockets inside and its lightweight design, I will be toting it with me to the pool this weekend!

So I should have ya'll know I've already told the hubs I want to paint our kitchen red and do a Coca-Cola theme.  He didn't say "no", so that's a good sign, right?  Plus I've already got the white cabinetry to coordinate with the Coca-Cola colors!  Hmm...Coca-Cola peeps are you reading this? I'd LOVE to have a Coca-Cola sponsored kitchen redesign and totally make it over with all Coca-Cola themed accessories!  I think it'd go well with my modern tastes!  It also sounds like a FAB blogging project, if I do say so myself!

Thanks to Coca-Cola for such an awesome 2 days and for sharing your vision, values and message with all of us who were invited to attend the conference.  We couldn't have asked for better hosts and I am so excited to share more about my Coca-Cola experience!

 

photos taken with my Sony NEX-5 & Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch

{Disclosure: I was invited to take part in the Conversations with Coca-Cola Social Media Moms Conference.  My conference accomodations including travel, hotel, and expenses are being provided heavily subsidized, however I have not been asked or required to share anything with my readers about the conference or anything related to Coca-Cola.  I am doing this on my own accord. All opinions are my own. No one is the boss of me!}

 

Deliciousness Abound: BLT World Famous Popovers {recipe}

What a whirlwind first day in Atlanta it's been!  I arrived this afternoon and met up with a few of my fellow bloggers and we spent the better part of the day relaxing before official Coversations with Coca-Cola (#cclp) sessions commence.

We're staying at the W Hotel in downtown Atlanta.  This hotel is BEYOND swagger.  Seriously, I can't wait to share more posts with you about it but for now - trust me!  It's hip, modern, witty and just downright an entertaining place to be!

So tonight we headed down to the hotel restaurant and enjoyed each others company.  After everyone ordered their food, drinks, and desserts, our server brought these out:

They're WORLD famous popovers. 

And they are deeeee-viiiiiiine!!  At first we were dumbfounded - not really sure what they were or how to eat them.  But then the server explained to us what they were and told us we could also sprinkle a bit of roasted sea salt on them after buttering the popovers.

Yeah, that's roasted sea salt there in that funny looking container.  Let me tell you -- I totally wish I would've snapped a photo of the popover when I'd opened it up and buttered it and sprinkled the salt because it was DELISH!  I think I ate it so fast and by the time it occured to me to snap a photo of it, it was too late!

But then the server did something amazing!  He brought out these little recipe cards for us. So now, YOU can try the World Famous BLT Restaurant House Popovers!!  Check it out:

Popovers - recipe by BLT Restaurants

Makes 12 popovers

Ingredients:

4 cups milk, warmed

8 eggs

4 cups flour

1  1/2 heaping tbsp salt

2  1/4 cups grated gruyere cheese

Preparation:

Place popover pan in the oven.  Heat the oven and pan to 350 degrees.  Gently warm the milk over low heat and set aside.  Whisk the eggs until frothy and slowly whisk in the milk (so as not to cook the eggs).  Set the mixture aside.  Sift the flour with the salt.  Slowly add this dry mixture and gently combine until mostly smooth.

Once combined, remove the popover pan from the oven and spray with the non-stick vegetable spray.  While the batter is still slightly warm or room temperature (definitely not cool), fill each popover cup 3/4 full. 

Top each popver with approximately 2 1/4 tbsp. of the grated gruyere.  Bake at 350 for 50 minutes, rotating pan half a turn after 15 minutes of baking.  Remove from the oven, remove from the pan and serve immediately.

Serve with butter! These are completley yummy and filling!  Enjoy.

photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch & enhanced with Google Picasa

Avocados from Mexico: Homemade Tex-Mex Migas {recipe}

I don't know about you but around here, avocado is practically a food group of its own.  Being a Mexican-American, it is just part of our culture to eat avocados regularly.  They have been an integral part of the Mexican culture for centuries. 

I even remember the first time I ever tasted one.  My grandpa sat me down at the kitchen table and and cut into one and just plopped it right there in front of me and told me to eat it.  I am sure the look I gave him was not a very accepting one.  At first, I didn't want to taste it because I had no idea what the heck it really was!  But I succumbed to the pressure of wanting to please my grandpa and I remember taking a bite and the texture of it was just right -- not too soft and not too hard and that little bit of salt with it was just divine! 

Now that I'm an adult, I love to use avoados to make homemade guacamole, slice them up to top my BLTs, and just eat them whole with just a tad of salt sprinkled on. We also regularly serve avocados as a topping when we have nacho night and on top of our beef and bean tostadas for dinnertime here in our home.

One of my favorite ways to use avocados in the kitchen is to use it as a topping to migas for breakfast.  Growing up in Texas, migas were a delicious and hearty way start off the day.

Right now is actually a great time to enrich your body with the benefits (and taste) of Avocados from Mexico, because although they are available year-round, their peak season actually runs from September through May.  So go out and get you some yummy Avocados from Mexico and try this recipe for a healthy, delish, and different breakfast treat!

 

Saute a few onions and corn tortillas.

 

 

Mmmm....almost done! You may need to have a taste just to keep your mouth from watering by this point!

 

Welcome to Heaven! My finishing touches of some pico de gallo and fresh avocado made this dish even better!

 My take on the best Tex-Mex Migas? Here you go!

What you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or other favorite cooking oil - oh and I didn't measure this, just eyeballed it in the pan!)
• Corn tortillas (I used two) shredded/torn into bite size pieces
• 1/2 cup diced onion (I didn't really measure, just chopped till I thought it was enough)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• Store bought (from the produce section) - or homemade - pico de gallo OR your favorite salsa!
• 1 Avocado from Mexico (sliced and diced into small pieces)
• A big 'ol hefty fork!

How to get it:

Add oil to pan over medium heat. Add onions and corn tortillas and begin a light simmer. Once onions become soft and translucent and corn tortillas are softened, add eggs to pan and cook thoroughly while mixing onions, tortillas, and eggs until firm. Add salt and pepper, if desired. Spoon the migas onto a plate and pile on the pico de gallo (or salsa) and fresh avocado. Grab that hefty fork and dig in!

Variations on this:

Don't be afraid to experiement with your favorite ingredients! That's what's great about migas....you can add just about anything! Try mixing in bacon or using sour cream as a topping along with some fresh cilantro. Either way, you can't go wrong!

{Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Avocados From Mexico. However, all opinions expressed are my own.}

Think I'll have a Coke & a Smile #cclp

You remember those Coca-Cola commercials, don't you? "Have a Coke & A Smile!"?  Oh, yes, that tagline will always stick with me when it comes to thinking about Coke products.  And speaking of Coke products, did you know their headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia? I've actually never been to Atlanta for any length of time, except for our first Disney trip back in 2007.  We made it a road trip and stopped in Atlanta for the night, but didn't do too much while we were there.

Well, I'm happy to report that's all about to change because next week I'm headed to Hot-lanta to attend Conversations with Coca-Cola, an invite-only event for social media moms that will span two days of fun. learning, and connecting.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of my bloggy buddies that I've come to know and love from other events and to learning more about the Coca-Cola Live Positively philosophy.  I know we'll also be brainstorming about ways to utilize social media more effectively for branding and outreach to do more good.

There are a slew of other fun bloggy peeps attending as well, so I hope you'll take a moment to follow our #cclp tweets on Twitter.  I know I am looking forward to sharing more with you about Coca-Cola and can't wait to get there next week!

Now I'm off to get my packing and calendar planning done (for my hubs, who will be in charge of the kids) before this weekend is up!

{Disclosure: I was invited to take part in the Conversations with Coca-Cola Social Media Moms Conference.  My conference accomodations including travel, hotel, and expenses are being provided heavily subsidized, however I have not been asked or required to share anything with my readers about the conference or anything related to Coca-Cola.  I am doing this on my own accord. All opinions are my own. No one is the boss of me!}

photo taken with my Samsung Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch

Because sometimes "Thank You" needs to be said out loud! #DisneySMMoms

My head's still swirling from the AH-MAY-ZING experience that is Disney Social Media Moms!!  Our family returned just 2 short weeks ago from the conference which was followed by 6 extra days at the most Magical Place on Earth! 

And now, as the pixie dust settles and I sort through all of the wonderful information that was shared and the memories made, I realize that before I can share any of it, I must do one thing first.

 

And yet, somehow it doesn't seem like enough. Thanks so very much to so many magical people who made our family's dreams come true!  You'll not soon be forgotten.  And thank you to the happenin' blogger peeps I had the privilege of talking, laughing, learning, and sharing with throughout the entire weekend.  You made me feel validated and surrounded by awesomeness. 

I am looking forward to sharing more with you about this magical journey I was blessed to be a part of!

 

{Disclosure: I was invited to take part in the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration conference.  My travel and expenses were heavily subsidized as part of this program, however I was not specifically asked to share anything with my readers about the conference or anything related to Disney.  I am doing this on my own accord. All opinions are my own. No one is the boss of me!}

video shot in HD with my Sony NEX-5

A little bit of Florida, right here at home.

The past 4 weeks have been a whirlwind!  I've been to Florida twice and it's been amazing!  Every time I visit someplace with palm trees, I get all sappy and start talking about wanting to move there.  I have just always had an affinity for them and the warm weather they are surrounded by. 

Last month when I was in Miami, I saw this lovely little miniature palm tree on sale at the aiport and I snagged it for just under ten bucks.  Just recently I repotted it and am crossing my fingers that it will grow into the 4 to 5 foot plant it claims to.  The plant is from Palms of Paradise and has pretty easy instructions.  Watering it twice a week and keeping it out of direct sunlight is definitely something I can handle.  I don't really have time for high maintenance plants.  See, I knew I was drawn to palms for a reason!

I am finally making a dent in all of the 'to-dos' that have piled up since I've been traveling.  I've got loads of photos and notes to sort through so that I can share more about the FABULOUS Disney Social Media Moms conference I attended....I can't wait to tell you all about it! Stay tuned.  For now, say a little prayer for my little palm tree plant.  I would be beyond stoked if it stuck around for a little while....at least through next winter!

My Feature in the Walmart / Johnson & Johnson Coupon Booklet with Aveeno, Stayfree, & Neutrogena

Photo credit: Mark Jackson - www.markoshoots.com

Have you discovered me in your mailbox yet?  A couple of months ago I was literally pinching myself when I learned that I was selected to appear in a nationwide marketing campaign for Stayfree & Carefree products, Aveeno, and Neutrogena.  Me?  Joining the ranks of Jennifer Garner? Wow! I was floored and honored and humbled.  This gig was unlike anything I've ever done before and I had such a great time!

It was fun to see my entire house turned into a photo studio.  We shot in my living room, kitchen, bedrooms, family room, and even my master bathroom.  So exciting to see my own home featured in a national ad campaign!  The photos above are a peek at the #SmartSavings you might find in your mailbox soon.  If you do, I'd love for you to drop me a line that you received it!

A whole team of peeps came to my home to do an in-home photo shoot, which I was giddy about!  I've done modeling before (in my much younger days!) but never had someone come to my home and have the pressure of having just the right setting and space for what was needed.  I was so relieved that although the shoot lasted all day long, we were able to get the work done AND have fun during the entire time!

This work-from-home mom could get used to jobs like this!

The entire team was so pleasant to work with and made MY job easier!

A photo studio -- in my kitchen!

 

I will totally never look at my kitchen the same way again!

Working with the entire team they sent over was amazing.  They made a day of work super fun and interesting.  They made me - a mom - feel like a superstar and even joked and shared a few laughs with my hubs and kids.  I was actually sad to see them leave later that evening once we wrapped up.  

It was easy for me to be excited about the product lines we were shooting photos for.  I have always loved Stayfree and Carefree products and stock them for my own personal use.  And recently, I visited my local Walmart store to check out their amazing selection of skin care and health & beauty products on my own. 

See all those little red "roll-back" signs? That's more money in your pocket and more product for you! And did you know they will even price match based on competitor's ads? Sa-weet!

I actually ended up picking up this little box of goodness on an impulse.  I mean seriously...who doesn't want an anti-fatigue eye treament?!  I've only used it twice but love the texture and the rejuvenation it seems to give my under-eye area, all for just under ten bucks!  The exact price at Walmart is $9.97.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the great selection of bath and body products for kids that were available. 

To see more, check out my Google + shopping trip recap here.

Many thanks to Johnson & Johnson and Walmart for featuring real consumer moms as part of this coupon booklet ad campaign.  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to represent these brands and look forward to working with them again in the future.

{Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric -- BUT, all opinions and thoughts expressed in herein are that of my own. No one is the boss of me!}

I love food. I love friends. Yes, together.

It's no secret that I LOOOOOVE food.  I am a little insane about it, in fact. I adore dreaming up what I am going to eat from one meal to the next and I'm such a brat when my mom's around because she offers to cook up just about anything my heart desires.

My love of food and friends is now spreading to my own children.  Growing up, sharing meals with company was always more fun than doing it alone.  We always had PUH-LENTY of aunts, cousins, and grandparents around for meals.  Since I live two states away from my own family, my closest friends are like my family here.  They have some amazeballs kids, too, so we're able to get together quite often to share each other's company along with good food.

Although I don't claim to be a good cook, I do feel like we all deserve to eat well, so I try!  I am also not afraid to let my hubs take the reigns when it comes to cooking either.  He's more of a great cook anyway, so might as well, right?

Eating together - whether it's with family or friends or, heck, even both - makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. Eating delicious food while in the company of your favorite people just makes food taste THAT much better!  My friends and I are fortunate enough to get together regularly to watch our TV shows or play bunco, and even if it's just sharing appetizers and desserts, there's some major bonding time that goes on with being together.

One of the great reasons that I always look forward to the summer season (besides the fact that it's getting warmer outside) is because there is more opportunity for me to get with friends and family for that summertime barbecue or outdoor party. 

And speaking of summertime parties, check out this video of Chef Aarón Sánchez for Sierra Mist's #ComerJuntos as he shares how to make an awesome refreshing drink for your guests!

 

And, who could resist this Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake? Mmmmm!!

 

{Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect & Sierra Mist Natural, however all the thoughts and opinions are that of my own. No one is the boss of me!}

 

{Wordless Wednesday}: Mousekeeping at its finest

 

We'll miss this!