All posts by superexhausted

These Top Prom Trends Are Guaranteed to Leave Them “Speechless”

It excited for the start of prom season.  Having a junior  in high school prom is in the air.  Dresses are so much fun and the new trends are fun and inspired.

LA-based dress brand releases new spring line for prom season

It’s officially Prom Season, and Speechless has everything you need to leave them… well… speechless! Since 2001, Speechless dresses has earned a reputation for on-trend, jaw-dropping pieces that leave an impression. Now, just in time for Prom 2018, they are ready to unveil a spring collection, bursting with top trends that are inspired by celebrity red carpet and runway themes:

  • Dramatic skirts with high-waists, delicate layers of dreamy tulle and structured, wire hems in blush-worthy shades of wine and pink;
  • Embroidered and hand-beaded bodices for an enticing twist on sexy, vintage glam with lace, pearl and crystal beading. You’ll see shimmering feminine embellishments in classic shades of mauve and nude;
  • Intricate laces accented with sparkles of glitter, foil, and sequins add texture and a powerful pop to classic shades of millennial pink, lilac, and tiffany blue;
  • Statement florals add a whimsical romance to full, yet graceful, dress silhouettes;
  • Illusion cut-outs and back detailing expose a hint of skin with lattice straps, low backs, halter necklines and fanciful bows;
  • Pockets add a comfortable, relaxed feel to even the most sophisticated pieces.

Inspired by bold, free-spirited play, the Speechless spring line is captivating, pairing luxe fabrics and careful attention to the smallest details. “Our design process begins with one question: what do we want to wear right now?” says Speechless Creative Director, Mari Forge, “From there, we socialize, shop, sketch, source and bring these styles to life!”

Just like you, Speechless dresses aren’t made to blend in. No matter which trend you crave this season, Speechless has designed it with you in mind. Are you a floral fashionista, vintage vixen, or spicy starlet? Shop their full collection at Macy’s, Windsor and Nordstrom. Follow Speechless on Instagram @SpeechlessDresses for the latest style inspirations, guaranteed to #LeaveThemSpeechless.

About Speechless Dresses:

Since 2001, Speechless has designed dresses to complement the bold, free-spirited lifestyle of inspired young women. Based in Los Angeles, we hand-select fabrics, prints, and silhouettes tailored for every season of life, creating flawless pieces that powerfully express the many shades of you. Capturing the latest trends of the moment and delivering the fashion and style you crave, Speechless dresses will always #LeaveThemSpeechless.

Sharper Image Holiday Pop Up Shop with Sean Astin

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Last week were lucky to attend the Sharper Image Pop Up shop in Time Square in NYC.  The holiday shopping season got off to a flying start last night, quite literally, in Times Square where Sean Astin was on hand to officially open a playground-themed Sharper Image pop up shop that invites hands-on, try-before-you-buy fun.  My daughter was in heaven she is a huge Lord of the the Rings fan specifically Sam fan.  Later that weekend we watched all 9+ hours of the movies.

As for the flying, Jordan “Jet” Temkin, two-time International Drone League World Champ thrilled the VIP crowd with myriad remote airborne stunts, while New York’s Finest (NYPD) faced off against New York’s Bravest (FDNY) for “best NYC driver” bragging rights on a huge RC car track, complete with hairpin turns and checkered flags.

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The two-story showcase at 4 Times Square returns Sharper Image to brick and mortar retail this holiday season, inviting New Yorkers and visitors from across the country, and around the world, to Shop Sharper by offering a curated selection of premium gifts for play and the home, at prices worth celebrating. It’s high-tech, high-touch, high quality, minus the high price tag.

 

Sharper image pop up shop

“I mean, who doesn’t love Sharper Image. Like so many of us here tonight, I grew up with Sharper Image,” said Astin. “Playing with all the awesome stuff in this store takes me back, while showing off everything that Sharper Image is today … 100 percent fun, and right in the heart of Times Square.”

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For those who can’t make it to 42nd and Broadway, items featured at the Sharper Image pop-up can be found nationwide at major retailers such as Target, Kohl’s and Bed Bath & Beyond. Among Sharper Image items sure to delight this holiday season, and well beyond:

  • Drone FPV: first-person POV let’s you see what the drone sees, with video that streams right to your smartphone equipped with VR viewer (included), and auto landing and take-off for maximum control ($119.99)
  • RC Action Flip Stunt Rally Vehicle: two cars in one! Dual sided flip design lets it perform 360-degree spins and flips, complete with with high-performance rubber tires and extra-bright LED headlights ($19.99)
  • Memory Foam Pillow with Cool Touch Cover: there’s never a “wrong” side of the pillow! Vented airflow with ice cool fibers keep you cool, while natural bamboo charcoal keeps odors under control and Visco elastic memory foam molds to your body ($49.99)
  • Robotosaur: run him into a wall, he gets angry and roars, his eyes changing to match his mood. Wave your hands over his nose, he calms back down. With a motion detector-powered “hunt mode,” Fido and Fluffy have some new competition ($99.99)

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The Sharper Image holiday selection, in the pop up shop but also at leading retailers like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl’s, showcases what Sharper Image is all about today.

The day was truly special for my daughter and I thank you to Sharper Image for hosting us for the day and allowing us to have a truly remarkable day!

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Leftover Salad with Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Croutons

Thanksgiving leftovers

The best thing to do after the big meal day is have leftovers after Thanksgiving.  Prep ahead to the leftovers will be amazing if you try my Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Stuffing  make sure you save some of the dried bread (croutons) for the leftover salad.

Start with the greens I prefer spinach add some dried cranberries and apples. Make a light dressing using cranberry juice instead of vinegar.  You will regret Thanksgiving left overs.

pumpkin bread stuffing

Thanksgiving Leftover Salad

  • Spinach
  • Leftover turkey
  • Granny smith apple
  • dried cranberries
  • Cranberry Salad Dressing
  • Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Croutons

 

  1. Make the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread following the instruction on the package remove from oven and allow the bread to thoroughly cool.
  2. Cut the bread in to slices then into cubes.
  3. Place cubes on backing sheet and place in oven at 225 degrees for 2 1/2 hours- till dry and crispy (save some for a salad with left over turkey)

 

Cranberry Salad Dressing:

  • 1/8 cup  cranberry juice
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • Dash of salt to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon of dry Thyme

Mix salad dressing ingredient and shake vigorously (i like a small lidded jar mile a mason jar)

Enjoy your leftovers!

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Disclosure: I was provided samples of the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread and a gift card for ingredients for my post.

Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Stuffing

pumpkin bread stuffing

This up coming week is Thanksgiving you know what is amazing… Stuffing try a twist this year with my Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread Stuffing.  Fall is here Pumpkin spice everything! Krusteaz, makers of premium baking mixes, has an entire line of pumpkin spice mixes including muffins, cookies, bars and quick bread.  Krusteaz has it all Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Pumpkin Spice Muffins, and Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread

Pumpkin Bread stuffing with Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix it is truly a special stuffing for you family sweet and savory . My husband said talk about making something from scratch.  He said yummy goodness that is stuffing he really enjoyed.

pumpkin quick bread

Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix  you will need:

  • Oil
  • water
  • 2 eggs

Pumpkin Bread Stuffing:

  • 1 package Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix- made, cut in cubes, and dried
  • 1lb package of sage sausage
  •  1 small onion diced small
  • 2 celery stalks diced small
  • 2 granny smith apples 1 1/2 cups diced
  • 1/4 tea spoon of rosemary
  • 2 sage leaves whole
  • 1/4 teaspoon of thyme
  • 1/4 of dried cranberries
  • 1 can of chicken broth

pumpkin bread stuffing

  1. Make the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread following the instruction on the package remove from oven and allow the bread to thoroughly cool.
  2. Cut the bread in to slices then into cubes.
  3. Place cubes on backing sheet and place in oven at 225 degrees for 2 1/2 hours- till dry and crispy (save some for a salad with left over turkey)
  4. In a large pot brown sausage , pouring off fat remove sausage set aside
  5. Dice all veggies  place celery and onion in with sausage dripping 1 pat of butter cook to tender
  6. Add sage, rosemary, thyme
  7. Add sausage, and apples to pot.
  8. Add Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread
  9. Add 1/2 the can of broth, and slowly add more as needed.
  10. Allow the stuffing to sit 2 hours (or overnight)  in fridge
  11. Add extra broth , Then Bake 325 for 20min prior to serving

Here is a printable recipe of the Pumpkin Bread stuffing with Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread mix

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Also be sure to save the extra dried quick bread cubes to use as Krusteaz Pumpkin Croutons with your leftover turkey salad

See my post:  Thanksgiving Leftover Salad

Disclosure: I was provided samples of the Krusteaz Pumpkin Quick Bread and a gift card for ingredients for my post

@Krusteaz #Krusteaz

 

Samsung Appliances at Best Buy Make the Holidays Prepping Easy

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The next two months are going to be busy as we all start prepping for the holidays.  When you start planing to cook you favorite dishes,  like my families top choice mac and cheese.   What can make these holidays super easy?   Samsung has a plan to help every domestic cooking holiday a success.  The wonderful new appliances from Samsung at Best Buy can help to enhance your holiday prepping time for entertainment family and friends.samsung prep for the holidays

The Samsung refrigerator is a  four-door family hub that features a shopping list.  Through the wifi the refrigeration can share your grocery list, and you  just peek inside your food fridge from anywhere you are connected. Just think sitting in your car,  you can see with the kids of polished off luncheon meat or even finished all the milk.  The Samsung Refrigerator can scan foods  expiration date so you know when that yogurts going to go bad or the eggs might be questionable. No more does this milk smell bad or this taste funny ? Talk about making the holidays easy and saving on precious  time during a crazy holiday schedule.

One of the other great features that is available in the Samsung’s products Oven Range with Wi-Fi connectivity. Remotely you can monitor your oven to make sure you have the perfect roast for the holidays. While you’re out running around picking up those last minute gifts,  you can turn on your oven on your way home from the store so it’s perfectly preheated, cutting your cooking prep time down. Adjusting your temperature from your smart phone allows you to have complete flexibility in your kitchen.

For me this is a real time saver for me because I always try to remind the kids to turn on for me before I get home from work. In my case the kids always turn on the wrong oven or set the incorrect time, no more delays in dinner.  This is a great feature on Samsung Microwave Combination wall oven with Flex Duo, giving me time to relax and less time in the kitchen.

I can’t decide which is my favorite of the new Samsung appliances at Best Buy the refrigerator or the range?  I’ll just have to get both. Right now at Best Buy they are offering an unbelievable price on Samsung appliances. 10% off when you buy four or more kitchen appliances.Be sure to check Samsung appliances at Best Buy out and have a great holiday.

What are you planning to make this holiday ?

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Camelback Resort Aquatopia a great weekend for you and your Teens Review

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This past weekend we had the opportunity to visit Camelback resort and lodge in the Pennsylvania Poconos featuring Aquatopia.  Camelback was nice enough to host us and sponsor us for the Fasllfest weekend.  We took my son age 16, nephew 16,  my daughter age 12  and with my niece 13 to this great family experience so everyone was happy.

We started the weekend by checking into the lovely resort we ended up with a great room on the fifth floor overlooking the ski slopes during the winter you can actually ski right into the lodge from the slopes which is sound super fantastic to me. Check out this video of what our room look like which was a king bunkhouse room.

As soon as we checked into the room  in the kids immediately wanted to go down to Aquatopia. Which is Camelback resorts indoor waterpark featuring a glass roof!  Which is great because you get the sunshine even when you’re indoors and the temp is perfect 365 days a year. Since we checked in the evening we went to the hot tub first my husband and I went in the indoor/outdoor hot tub. The kids join us for a little bit but they were busy exploring all the fantastic things that are in Aquatopia.  The area features many rides both tube rides and large two rides I can be done together as a family. They also have a Lost River that you can either ride in a tube or you can swim through.  The Lost River features a lot of waterfalls and lights to really enhance the experience of being on the river.  My nephew really enjoyed the Flow Rider which is the first attraction you see when you walk in to Aquatopia. He wrote it for hours he’s been on it a few times but he is doing some tricks check them out right here and at this video.

The great thing about staying is the Camelback resort is your wristband gives you full access to the resort if you choose.  Your wristband is your room key can can also be your wallet so no need to carry anything but a towel and a smile.   We found this was a great option for the teens gave them a sense of freedom.

Here is an video showing a tour of Camelbacks Resorts Aquatopia so you have a full review and layout for the entire family:

In honor of the Fall Fest, we also checked out Kartrites’s Curse a haunted house on Monster Mountain. It was The kids first experience in a haunted house.  I wanted to make sure wasn’t crazy violence but a great time had by all. The kids loved it they thought it was just scary enough and suspenseful enough to really get the juices going.  To be honest we had to push a few through the whole haunted house.

Check out this video of their thoughts pf Camelback’s Resorts  Kartrites Curse Haunted House :

Monster Mountain a also had some really great other Halloween themed events for the weekend that will be going on now through November like the Monster coaster which is in Alpine coaster ride down at night sounded really really fantastic.

They also had “Lights out” zip lining that sound like fun where you could ride the zip lines that were lighted for the night time. My kids are not the greatest with Heights so we decided not to do that but I think if you had a thrill seeker they want to take spirit something different I definitely think the Halloween themes at Camelback resort are perfect for a unique Halloween experience.

The food at Camelback resort was wonderful they have a great buffet which is about $16 for adults little less for kids that’s in the morning for breakfast I can highly recommend it. Wondering what they had check out my video on the food at Camelback.

Wanted to know what else they had when you need a break from the water a Camelback Arcadia which was an out of the water experience for the entire family. Arcadia featured rock climbing, Llser tag, laser room, mini-golf, hi hi ropes challenge course and also an arcade. At Acadia  you could buy different passes depending on what type of experience you wanted so we had a Discovery pass which was about $29 that included all day rock climbing, unlimited mini golf, unlimited high ropes course, unlimited laser room, and one trip to the laser tag. Plus a five dollar credit for the arcade.

Check out the different experiences at Arcadia below in the videos.

Fall Fest : They also had a lot of other weekend activities that would be great for your younger children such as pumpkin painting, doughnut decorating, apple chucking, balloon animals, and many more activities.

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I have to say this weekend was a truly spectacular weekend for my entire family not only is Camelback Resort and lodge perfect for the younger kids but it is amazing for the older kids.   Which if you go to these types of waters parks sometime they tend to only focus on the little kids. The Camelback Resort designers created an experience for the entire family.  My teens loved every minutes and there was something to do for everyone.  We found one day would not  have been enough time.  We spend 2 nights which was great to get the full experience,  if we were skiing/snowboarding we would want a week.  My kids, niece, and nephew had a wonderful weekend.    Everybody fell sleep as soon as we left which is the sign of a good weekend.  Be sure to check out Camelback Resort and Aquatopia as your next fall family getaway.

Camelback Lodge Aquatopia

Meal Planning with teens Aug 2017

Meal Planning on Budget with Teenagers

The summer is great .. my kids are done with camps.  My son was unable to find a job.. which is no go and bad because he is my housekeeper this summer.  Mom that is me shelled out $300+ for said teenager to become a life guard and get his license. He .. that is my son never got said leife gaurd gig.. hello life guarding is the easiest job.

Now he has to pay me back.. the lovely teen age boy is doing all the laundry, dished, house cleaning, and  painting to pay me back. If he does nt he looses hos internet.  He also helps with cooking along with his sister.

This past week they made my beef and gravy.. it was yummy

This weeks menu is one made for them;

Monday : Kielbasa and Perogies

Tuesday: Tomato sandwiches

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meat sauce

Thursday: Beef brisket and corn

Friday: Lobster Boil (on sale at Shop-rite $5.77 lb)

Saturday: Homemade calzones

 

What are you making this week/

Be sure to stop back for more ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

International Cat Day and Best Feline Friend

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With International Cat Day happening on August 8, and Happy Healthy Cat Month in September, now is the perfect time to address the ‘cat in the room’—and that’s your feline friend’s diet. I’ll be the first to admit my own cat’s diet isn’t ‘purr’fect. [CAT NAME] can be a picky eater, or ignore her water bowl even when it’s placed right next to her food. I struggled to understand how I could address these issues. But then I realized I wasn’t alone—my cat was just experiencing one of the three most common cat concerns: picky eating, weight gain, and urinary tract issues.

I learned about the Big 3 by partnering with Weruva [http://www.weruva.com/]—a luxurious, natural pet food dubbed “people food for cats” which is launching a full line of gluten, grain, and carrageenan-free cat food in honor of International Cat Day. It’s called B.F.F. OMG! (that stands for Best Feline Friend, Oh My Gravy), and it’s all about preventing these Big 3 Cat Concerns.

If your cat has any of these, you might want to consider changing their diet:

Is your cat picky? Picky eating is usually a problem with texture, since cats are carnivores whose tongues and teeth are perfectly evolved for meat-eating. It’s easy to see why a cat might dislike something without real shreds of meat—would you eat a steak with the texture of tapioca? Weruva’s food features these shreds of real meat right off the bone, which is why my cat took to it like a duck to water (or a cat to gravy)!

Got a fat cat? The problem is in the kibble. It’s filled with unnecessary carbs, which are almost impossible for cats to process (they don’t produce amylase, an enzyme which helps humans digest their food). Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! has no kibble to worry about because it’s 100% real meats in their true form. bfD_cat_food2671

UT-why? Urinary tract issues often stem from dehydration—even if you’re giving your cat plenty of water. In the wild, cats stay hydrated through the food they eat instead of what they drink. Cats are used to ‘eating’ their water—but most wet foods don’t have nearly enough hydration to keep them satisfied. All of the products in Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! line are over 85% hydration, which satisfies my cat’s hydration needs.

I love Weruva products because they are considered ‘people food for pets.’ The new line of B.F.F. OMG! cans and pouches feature land proteins like boneless and skinless white chicken breast, salmon, beef, duck, lamb and more. All recipes are grain, gluten, and carrageenan free. And if you are a BPA-free home, check out the pouches because they are are BPA-free. Best of all, my kitty loves it!

Health isn’t just for humans, and I’m glad I took the time to learn how to feed my BFF properly. Even better, in the process, I found my kitty’s new favorite food. She especially likes Weruva’s [YOUR CAT’S FAVORITE] flavor, which you can read about at http://www.weruva.com/. You can also explore the whole B.F.F. OMG! lineup there, and find a flavor your cat will ‘paw’sitively adore, at Chewy.com

Has your cat experienced one of the Big 3 Cat Concerns? Share your experience in the comments!cat _food_2658

 

Yard sale Mid Century finds

This past week I found some great items while on the road and looking for rust gold.

This is a amazing belt.. some gentleman wore this for sometime he was an avid fisherman id kids probably got him for this as a gift. I now want to share it with you in my etsy store .vintage_leather_belt_3__1-106

My next find, I found at a great thrift store it was sitting on the shelf.

Imagine mid century lamp was sitting in Tommy’s bedroom next to his bed.  He was waiting to see if Sam Sheppard the man who went the fastest in a plain would reach the outer limits of space. The next year he would watch John Glen walk on the moon reading every book and comic book hoping that he would make contact with the aliens. You can fin it in my Etsy store. Click here https://www.etsy.com/listing/534450546/mid-century-atomic-lamp-side-lamp-wood

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This vintage Irmi inspired lamp with train and musical dog is a great find everything works.

My story for this great lamp is:  I belonged to Jack and Carol who were expecting there 1st baby.  Carols mother bought the lamp for her new 1st grand child.  When baby Steven was born he was named after Jacks father.  The baby was rocked to sleep every night by the sweet Twinkle Twinkle little star of the puppy in the lamp that the little boy called “BoBo.” As he grew every night Carol would ask every night you want to hear the puppy the sleep boy would say “Bo Bo” Carol would wind the dog and the child would drift off to sleep.

If you are interested in have BoBo and his little train friends in your home.  check out my etsy store : https://www.etsy.com/listing/548251133/vintage-irmi-nursery-originals-nursery
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Check out my etsy store

BabyPopBoutique

Sony Xperia XZ Premium New Sony Unlocked phones at Best Buy

This post is a sponsored post for Best Buy

Frustrated by phones that are specific to a carrier.  These new New Sony Unlocked phones sold exclusive at Best Buy are not only versatile but allow you freedom from a carrier.  You can move if you want to any carrier  At&t, Verizon,or Cricket.   Now those are options with phones that offer many option like a Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra with the edge to edge display or the Sony Xperia XZ with eye motion 19 MP camera.

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra Xperia XA1 Ultra

Display This phone has a border less 6” edge-to-edge Full HD display – provides an extraordinary mobile viewing experience. Camera Features two outstanding cameras – new 23MP main camera previously found only on Sony’s flagship smartphones and a 16MP front-facing camera upgraded to include a 23mm wide-angle lens  Available Only at Best Buy

Sony Xperia XZ

Xperia XZ Premium

4K HDR Display and Super Slow motion Camera.  The 4K HDR Display is the first of its kind in a smartphone.  The 19MP main camera comes with the world’s first Motion Eye camera system, featuring Predictive Capture to help you get just the right shot, and Super slow motion video recording, which captures life in ways no other smartphone can. Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.  Performs exceptionally for creating Super slow motion videos, watching 4K HDR videos, or playing the latest PlayStation games on PS4 Remote Play

Available at Best Buy  These unlocked Sony phones work with the following major carriers – AT&T, Verizon and Cricket