Happy Monday!

It’s a new week and almost a new month!

My little guy finds LOTS of reasons to smile. 

This week, he has extra reason to smile because his birthday is on Friday!

What is making you smile this week?

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More Than Brothers–Finally

There was a time when I didn’t think my boys would ever get along. For a couple of years , my days were full of boys bickering, tattling, and crying.

It stressed me out trying to figure out how to make them get along and like each other. The phrase “he is the only brother you will ever have so be nice to him” came out of my mouth frequently.

Moments like this were few and far between.

(This picture is from 2009 when the boys were 6 and 3.)

When Cody turned 5 last year, their relationship all of a sudden changed. I suppose to his brother, Cody was no longer in the “baby phase” and was now a good candidate for a friend. :)

The bickering became less and the moments playing together became more frequent. Is it sappy that the first couple of days of them playing so nicely together made me want to cry? The moment I had been waiting for when they would like each other and want to be around each other had arrived and it made me teary because for awhile, I thought the day would never come.

Not all days are roses and dandelions, but more often than not, I will find them walking together holding hands, hugging each other to say goodbye before school starts, snuggling with arms around each other on the couch and of course, there is the endless “no, we’re not wrestling” wrestling moments.

They are growing up.

Against my will, they are growing up and I am enjoying watching their relationship change.

I know that through the years, their relationship will constantly change. There will be moments where one becomes bothersome in the other’s life. Where Cody will not want his big brother to protect him so much. Where DJ will not want his little brother tagging along everywhere he goes or mimicking his every “cool big brother” step.

I am okay with that.

For now, I am savoring these moments. Enjoying the hugs they give each other - even those where a head slap is snuck in at the end of the hug. Savoring the quiet times when they are sitting side by side on the couch reading together or playing games. 

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Feeding an Addiction–Fonts

My name is Michelle and I am addicted to Fonts – fancy fonts, bold fonts, script fonts, weird fonts…you name it, I've got it. ;)

AND I have found a website to feed this addiction!

www.fonts101.com has a Font’O’Day List that sends you a free font every day. Yup…EVERY day!You can sign up on their website.

The file comes directly to your inbox and you can download and install the zip file.

Here are some recent ones that were sent to my inbox. They will be perfect for digital scrapbook pages!

This is an unsolicited post.  I have no affiliation with fonts101.com. I just enjoy their Font’O’Day.

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Pinspired–Peep Smores

I don’t care much for Peeps, but when I saw a Pin on Pinterest using them in Smores, I couldn’t wait for the After-Easter sales so I could buy these babies on clearance!

My older son’s favorite color is green, so I opted for some green Peeps (does anyone else want to raise their arms up to their sides and yell “MY PEEPS” when you say Peeps? No? Well, um, I don’t either).

We don’t have a fire pit out back (yet) so we made them the good ‘ol fashioned way…in a microwave. :)

We layered the ingredients up….

Then cooked them for about 15 seconds.

The result was an ooey, goooey, green, deliciously marshmallowy smore.

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We Have a Winner!!! :)

…drum roll please! We have a winner for the Sweetie Pea Creations Mango Tan Body Scrub!

CONGRATULATIONS, KRYSTAL!!! Please email me with your address mylifeahappylife@gmail.com.

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Don’t forget to take advantage Sweetie Pea Creations’ introductory special.

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Sweetie Pea Creations–Product Review, Special and Giveaway!

A few months ago, my dear friend Marilyn Barker and her daughter, Jessica began a new business adventure spreading the word about The Salt Project.

Over breakfast, she passionately introduced me to the products. Always willing to try something new, I purchased a small Scrub in a Tub and Body Oil. The hardest part was choosing from their array of scents.

I’m a fruity-scented kind of gal so I went with Summer Melon (though Mango Tan is my new favorite!).

That night, I used the products for the first time. I liked that both the scrub and the oil provided a lasting, but not over-powering scent (I always have this fear that everything scented will smell like Drakkar. If you went to high school in the 90s, I’m sure you feel the same way.) The scrub can be used daily in place of soap. What I really like about the scrub is that it leaves a moisturized feeling even after rinsing the salt scrub off and that it exfoliates as you use it. The Mediterranean Olive Oil and Vitamin E keep your skin feeling soft. One warning, if you are a little clumsy like me, careful while in the shower. The oils can leave the shower floor slippery if not rinsed off completely. :)

The Body Oil Rub is as equally awesome as the scrub. The aromatic scent lasts for 8 hours. Yes, you heard me right – 8 HOURS. No joke. Even after a full day of running around town, at the end of the day I still have the slight fragrance from the Body Oil Rub. I naturally have dry skin. I have used Aveeno for years, but find that I needed to replenish at least some point during the day so I don’t give off that oh-so-unattractive ashy look. With the Body Oil, I find that I don’t need to replenish. My skin stays hydrated throughout the day. SCORE!  Now, I use the body oil daily after showering instead of lotion. A friend also uses a little bit in her hair to add a little bit of shine. :)

Although I love the products for their fragrance and moisturizing abilities, I have to admit that what I didn’t expect out of them was the healing factor.  I have been prone to eczema pretty much throughout my adult life. I have had a patch of dry skin on my leg for years (since my son was born almost 9 years ago). I have used over the counter creams and prescribed ointments throughout the years and NOTHING ever helped to rid me of the yucky dry patch of skin.

On the SECOND day of using the products, I happen to look down at my leg and lo and behold, that baby was GONE! No joke! After only 2 days of using these products, it healed a patch of dry skin that found its home on my leg for eight years.

I shared this result with my mom and she asked me to buy her a small size of the Body Oil and Bath Scrub as well so she could try it. She has diabetes and because of it had skin problems on her feet. It left her feet looking rashed and bruised.

Within a few days, she had the same healing results. YEARS of prescription ointments and medications could not do what a few days of the scrub and oil combination did to her feet. Her feet no longer looked bruised and were back to a normal flesh color. AH-MAZING! That made us both believers of these products.

I am excited to introduce these products to you and offer ONE random reader a chance to try the Body Scrub in my favorite scent, Mango Tan,  for themselves!

Mango Tan is a Pina Colada-ish scent featuring a harmonious blend of pineapple, mango and coconut. (Disclaimer: I can not be held responsible if you are hungry or craving a Pina Colada in hand while standing on the beaches of Hawaii after trying this scent.)

Here are the details to enter:

• Entries must be received by Friday, April 20th. Winner will be announced on Monday, April 23rd.
• Leave a comment on this post (not on the blog) about what your favorite scent from those listed above would likely be
• Extra entries can be earned by doing the following tasks. Please leave a separate comment identifying which tasks you have done.
• Like Sweetie Pea Creations on Facebook
• Like My Life…A Happy Life on Facebook

To introduce you to the amazing products, Sweetie Pea Creations is offering the following introductory special to first time customers. This offer ends April 30th so contact Marilyn soon to take advantage of this great deal!

 

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Simple Birthday Card– Cupcake Birthday

For a dear friend’s recent birthday, I put together this quick card.

Here are the materials:

• Floral papers from SEI’s Penelope’s Potpourri Kit
• Cupcake Stamp from Close to My Heart’s Good Times Stamp Set
• “Happy Birthday” from Close to My Heart’s Say It In Style Stamp Set
• Heavenly Blue Ink pad from Close to My Heart
• Black Ink pad from Close to My Heart
• Pink chalk
• Round corner punch from Stampin’ Up
• Paper distresser tool from Close to My Heart
• Baby Blue cardstock (cut to 5.5” x 8.5”)
• White cardstock (cut to 1.5” x 1.5”)

1. Fold the blue cardstock in half
2. Cut the 1st patterned paper (5.25” x 4”) and glue on to the cardstock
3. Cut the 2nd patterned paper (4.75’ x 3.5”) and glue on to the 1st patterned paper
4. Stamp the image onto the white cardstock then color with chalk (or watercolors)
5. Stamp greeting onto the blue cardstock and glue onto 2nd patterned paper
6. Glue white cardstock to card

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Favorite Things

Since moving in February, I am on this kick of de-cluttering and/or organizing everything – my house, my computer, my brain, my life.

BUT there are some essential staples in my life that I will not get rid of any time soon. It got me thinking. Why not share what I love right now and it can be my Favorite Things post.

I wish I was Oprah and could jump out of the screen, point at you and yell “you get an iPad, you get a donut, you get a car!” Sorry, though, that’s not a-happenin’. :)

Without further ado, here is my ‘can’t live without or I might not make it through a day” list of the moment.

1. Keurig Brewing System

   
   I love that when I wake up in the morning, this baby is waiting to pour me a big ‘ol cup of whatever the flavor of the day is.
   
   
   

2. Wolfgang Puck Hawaiian Hazelnut Coffee

   I love Hawaii, I love hazelnut. Put them together and YUM!
   
   
   
3. Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System
   
   

   I started using the Clarisonic about a year ago and it has really made a difference on my skin. I always thought hand washing with a cleanser was enough, but after doing that THEN using the Clarisonic, I found that there was still makeup residue left on my skin. No wonder I was breaking out like a love struck pubescent teenager!! Thanks to the Clarisonic, those days are gone! :)
   
   

4. Mango Tan Scrub from Sweetie Pea Creations

   When my good friend started selling these products, I decided to try them out because she was passionate about it and I was curious. I had not expected to absolutely LOVE these products! I will be doing a feature on the scrub and oil in a near future post. I will share why I love these products and there will be a giveaway. Stay tuned!!!!
   
   
   
5. Pinterest
   
   I know this is not exactly a product or something you can purchase in stores, but it is a daily addiction. I go here when I need some inspiration, am bored, need a craft idea or am trying to figure out what to make for dinner.
   
   
   

What are some of your favorite things of the moment?

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Cheesecake and Chocolate Strawberries

I have been craving the cheesecake truffle strawberries from Truffle Berries in Fairfield. If you are local to Fairfield and have never been there, then GO!!!! You will not regret it. She has a huge array of sweet treats.

My weakness at Truffle Berries was her strawberries dipped in cheesecake then in chocolate. It was heaven in the form of bad-for-you-fruit!

For some reason, those babies have been on my mind so I decided to whip some up (especially since the 99 cent strawberries at Ralph’s were too good of a deal to pass up).

I was a tad bit too lazy to make cheesecake so instead, I went instant…like J-E-L-L-O instant. Fortunately, they had a Cheesecake flavor instead pudding.

Once the pudding set, I dipped the strawberries into the cheesecake pudding then refrigerated them for about an hour.

The instant pudding didn’t quite harden the way I had hoped it would so my attempts at being lazy didn’t work in my favor this time. For my next attempt, I will be sure to make some cheesecake from scratch so I can get it the right consistency of thickness.

While the strawberries sat in the fridge, I used my handy dandy Wilton Melting Pot to melt milk chocolate wafers. If you like to use melted chocolates frequently, then I highly suggest buying this little pot. It melts the chocolate down smoothly and keeps it at a low heat to prevent the chocolate from re-solidifying.

When dipping the strawberries, do not make the mistake (like I did) of swirling them in the chocolate. If you do, you will get this cheesecake/chocolate mess.

Instead of swirling, dip each side of the strawberry into the chocolate. They will look MUCH prettier.

You can tell which ones were swirled and which were dipped.  

My taste testers approved of them so I look forward to trying it again with thicker cheesecake.

Let me know if you try this recipe out!

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Dining Chair Makeover–Easy Peasy Reupholstering

Our dining chairs were getting pretty filthy (thanks to my boys, Thing One and Thing 2). Pretty much everything from noodles to apple juice and chocolate milk has made its way to these chairs. I have been wanting to reupholster the cushions for quite some time, but would either forget or just get lazy.

One day, I came across Fashion Fabrics in Chula Vista. I found some fabric that was on sale for $1.50/yd so I figured it was worth a shot to try this whole reupholstering thing. If it didn’t work out, I wouldn’t be out of too much money since it was only $2.25+tax for 1.5 yards of fabric. SCORE!

The chairs needed some more cushioning so I purchased 2 yards of 1.5” foam from Joann’s Fabrics. To save money, I used a 50% off coupon. The foam is about $16.99/yd so it was cost effective to use the coupon.

Here are the chairs in all their stained glory. Gross, right?

I started by removing the seat from the chair. You can choose to remove the existing fabric and cushion or be lazy like me and just cover it all up with the new stuff.

The next step is to outline the seat on your foam. I used a sharpie to do this.

Once the foam was cut, I laid it out on the fabric and made sure there was enough allowance around the foam to allow me to wrap the fabric around the seat. There was about 3”  or more of extra fabric around each cushion.

Next the fun part – you get to play with a staple gun!

Lay the foam on top of the fabric and put the seat on top of that.

Pull the fabric tightly over the cushion and seat and start stapling about every inch. Don’t worry about the corners just yet. It will be easier to take care of them once you have finished securing all the sides.

Once you have finished your first side, then work on the side opposite of the side you just finished working on. Be sure to pull on the fabric tightly before stapling it down.

The corners were tricky so I did more of a pleat. I tucked the corners so there would be a pleat on each side of the corner. Be sure to use extra staples on the corners so it doesn’t pull up.

Once you are done stapling the fabric on, attach it to your chair.

Voila! The chair looks new again!

It is amazing what a little touch of color can do. I love the look of the new chair vice the old simple color one.

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Do you Pinterest? If so, feel free to  !!

If by chance you ever find anything on the blog you would like to Pin, I have made it easier for you to do so.

At the bottom of each post, you will now find a “Pin It” button. One click and you will be able to pin away! :)

Happy Pinning!!!

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The Dog Run–Good Eats in Chula Vista

My husband, boys and I are always willing to try new food places and had to try The Dog Run after passing it quite a few times and also after reading its great reviews on Yelp.

Since quite a number of the reviews were on the TJ Dog, I decided to try that one first. My husband and I also decided to share a plate of their delicious Bacon Ranch Nacho Cheese Fries (can you feel the pounds just transferring to you by osmosis as you read that name???).

The TJ dog consisted of a bacon wrapped hot dog, grilled onions and green peppers, tomatoes, mayo, mustard and a hot sauce.  With its conglomeration of toppings, I wasn’t quite sure how it would taste, but figured that it was worth a taste.

Two words – YUMMY and FLAVORFUL!

Combined together the toppings work deliciously together. Again, YUMMY! I’m not a big fan of green peppers, but on this dog, I’ll eat ‘em!

The staff is customer service oriented and very nice. They periodically check in with you to see how you are doing and ask if your meal meats your expectations.

We will definitely be back for more!

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