A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!!

Hi there!!

I hope you guys are having a lovely last couple of days of September!! I don't know about the rest of the country, but in the North East we've had a weekend of rain. I've got my fingers crossed that this won't effect our leaf colors too much.

Here are my fave's from last weeks party:

Fall Rake Leaf from Heatherly Loves.

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar is....

How to Make Ruched Sleeves from The Petite Sewist. This is a really handy and thorough little tutorial that I *know* I will use.... I just recently bought a bunch of solid colored tunics to go with my leggings and boots (Hello, Fall clothing!!!) and this will jazz up the sleeves a bit.

Thanks to all of you for linking up!!

Now, on to the party!!!

Monk Fruit Nectresse Sweetener

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NECTRESSE™Sweetener for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

The makers of Splenda have come out with a new "natural" sweetner made from Monk Fruit called Nectresse. Monk fruit is a type of chinese melon called Luo Han Guo, which has a super sweet taste that is also zero calories. Nectresse is the only 100% "natural" sweetener made from fruit.

I recently got a chance to review NECTRESSE™Sweetener. I have been trying to inspire myself to get back into dieting and exercise and I thought changing up the sugar in my diet would be a good step in the right direction. I tend to avoid the chemical sweeteners (like splenda and aspartame), and when I heard there was a "natural" sweetener out there, I wanted to give it a try. I used Nectresse in a Yogurt Fruit Parfait recipe that I found on their site: 

and here is the recipe from Nectresse:

 

All in all, I would have to say I was as satisfied as I usually am with any artificial sweetener. It will *never* taste exactly like sugar, but it comes close enough. I think when combined with dairy products in particular Nectresse tastes the best. I tried it in my coffee and was not as pleased....then again, this fruit is supposed to be 150 times more sweet than sugar, so my measurements might have been off!!

I like that there is a fruit sweetener on the market. I don't necessarily agree with giving it the title "natural" because the main ingredient in it is not monk fruit but erithrytol, a sugar alcohol that comes from corn in particular. The next ingredient  to make this sweetener is sugar and we're not talking raw sugar, so it has gone through a chemical refining process. Monk fruit is the third ingredient. So, you can see why calling it "natural" is just a tad questionable, right?? Still, I think it is better than using a chemical sweetener for sure.

Would you like to get a

FREE sample of NECTRESSE™Sweetener?? 

Here is a video from Nectresse Spokesperson and journalist Lisa Ling:

 

Golden Mirror Glam Redo

I found this great mirror at a yard sale at the end of the summer for a couple of bucks. I thought, "I can do something with that...." So, I bought it!!! With some lace (spray painted with metallic gold paint), some plain white lace, some plastic "pearl" strands, and some hot glue I added this:

to give the mirror some glitzy glam style. 

Here's my process:

*spray paint some lace ribbon with metallic gold spray paint

*Once dry, trim edges into petal shapes.

*Trim petals on the white lace as well, then form it into a flowery shape by overlapping each petal at the base with the petal next to it and glue it with hot glue.

*Glue the gold in the same way, just make it a tiny bit smaller than the white lace.

*Glue the pearl strand in the middle (I was a spiral on my biggest flower for fun). 

*Glue them onto the mirror. 

That's it!!!!!!!

I shared this post at some of these wonderful linky parties.

Reach Your Goals This Fall: Running For Beginners

Reach Your Goals This Fall: Running for Beginners

Though bathing suit weather has passed and the shorts are going into storage, fall is the perfect time to begin reaching those fitness goals. For busy moms, the kids go back to school, and the weather cools down to make those morning or evening runs more pleasant. We all would love to have more energy, be healthier, and look and feel more attractive. 

Starting a running regimen can be daunting, but sometimes the fear is mental – and there are helpful plans, supplies, and supplements that can ease the process. It can be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. Try glucosamine tablets to help with early runners’ joint pain as your body gets used to the increased movement. Several plans also exist on the internet to help just about anyone become a runner, no matter what their experience and fitness level.

Many plans offer a tiered program combining walking and running. They recommend alternating the two for specified periods of time. For example, walk for three minutes and run for one during your first workout, and increase the running increments on a daily basis throughout a several-weeks workout until you can run for thirty minutes without stopping. Even these types of plans can seem daunting those who haven’t had a lot of physical activity in a long time. The great thing about them is that you can just work at a pace that works for you. The downfall is that you may not push yourself like you need to in order to make progress and see results.

Consider finding a friend who is at a similar fitness level as you, so you can push each other and hold one another accountable. If you are just starting a running plan, the idea of inviting another person into the process might seem a little vulnerable. Find a trusted friend, or join a beginners’ running group. Changes are that others might feel as vulnerable as you, and you can build a fantastic support group with like-minded individuals. Just give it a chance.

Good shoes, good music, good nutrition, and supplements can help you ease into running. Good shoes and proper stretching prevent shin splints and other ailments, while glucosamine can help joint function. Eating well provides the energy needed to run and helps you feel great too!

This fall, take that step you’ve wanted to take and start running!

Paige One enjoys writing about fitness and knows that running is challenging, but definitely is worth it! 

Ocean Themed Birthday Snacks and A Marvelous Mess Party!!!!

To go with the Ocean Cake I showed you last week, I also made this:

Gummy Fish Jello Bowl from Martha Stewart

and some of these:

Oyster Cookies from Rook #17

My cookies didn't turn out quite like the ones above (I wished I had gotten a picture....but I always do these projects Soooooo last minute, especially for birthdays). I used Nilla wafers instead of Madelines (I couldn't find those darn cookies), white frosting tinted pink between the cookies, and some edible pearl glitter on the frosting.  

The cookies matched the Invitations I made....which I'll show you next week!!

Thanks so much for joining up to my party last week. I am totally loving the fall themes in the air. September is my favorite month. 

The post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is:

Fall Pom Pom Wreath by Todd & Lindsey

Thanks so much for linking up!! If I featured you, be sure to grab this button:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party:

A Mother's Creature Comforts: Soothing Bedroom Features

source

After the kids have gone to bed and the dishes are put away, most moms cherish the precious evening hours to spend with a partner or alone.  Raising kids, maintaining a home, and even working an outside job on top of it all can be a tremendous feat to manage, and every mother deserves a quiet, restful bedroom where she can relax, unwind, reflect, or be inspired.

No matter what the size of your bedroom, many simple and elegant features exist to bring tranquility to your bedroom. Decorative pillows, beautiful drapes, soothing colors, indoor wall fountains, and scented candles set the mood for well-deserved peace and quiet.

Decorative elements in any room can be an easy, inexpensive way to create peace. Since you want to set up a room that is both beautiful and orderly, choose just a few key pieces of decorative elements. If your partner wants to keep his collection of bowling trophies from the 1980s prominently placed on the dresser, or if you have a collection of porcelain dolls from your childhood, consider moving these items to a different location. You won’t diminish the sentimental value of these objects – you just want to refresh your space and keep it calm and orderly.

Purchase or make a few pretty pillows that match your bedding and your favorite colors, and place them on your bed. Matching drapes in a solid, dark color such as plum or navy add an inexpensive elegant touch and also keep out harsh morning light. One easy and inexpensive way to refresh any room is to choose a new paint color to add life to your pillows and drapes. Repainting a room will wow you for months every time you walk in.

Indoor wall fountains not only add elegance and surprise to a room, but they also fill it with the soothing sound of cascading water.  Especially with fall and winter coming, bringing refreshing outdoor elements inside can ease the length of the colder months and create a stunning focal point. Indoor wall fountains are sleek and modern and bring a sense of zen to any space. They can be purchased in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of your room, so they don’t have to overpower other décor or take over the room.

You don’t have to invest a lot of money or hire a decorator to refresh your space and make it more restful for you. Try these or a few of your own ideas to add solace and peace to your space.

Paige One looks forward to writing about ideas on how a mother can create a relaxing space of her own. Decorate interiors with beautiful elements and add elegance with stunning decor pieces.

Ocean Theme Birthday Cake and a Marvelous Mess Party

For my Munchkins birthday party, we had an Ocean theme. Ove the next week or so I'll be sharing the different parts of the party that I crafted and organized to make this theme work....and it really did, it was so much fun!! The cake was really fun to make. I'm no fancy cake decorator, but I can admit I've stepped up my game since the days of the flat sheet cake. Now with this cake we're talking layers and we're talking homemade chocolate candies, we're talking edible glitter gel, and even a little spoon flick to make the top of the frosting resemble waves. 

To make the candies, I just bought a shell mold at AC Moore, melted some white chocolate, poured it in the containers and popped it out when it was ready. Really easy, and I thought it gave it a nice look. 

For the waves on the top frosting: Frost the top and then, with a small spoon, press the flat part near the tip into the frosting and pull up on the end of the handle in a vertical direction.

Here is the recipe:

Here is the recipe:

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1 small pkg Jello instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup sour cream

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups mini chocolate chips

Read More http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/the-best-chocolate-cake.html#ixzz1isFAy4Oz

~Set the stove for 350 and mix all ingredients except for chocolate chips in a *large* bowl. Once it is thoroughly mixed, add the chocolate chips and place it in two greased 9 inch cake pans. 

It should bake for around 45 minutes, but check it at 30 and every 5 minutes or so after, remembering that the melted chips can trick you.

You're going to love this cake!!!

Last week we had some fun projects linked up (as usual). Here's my favorite!!! I'll be featuring this project on my sidebar for a week:

Fine-Feathered Friend from Turtles and Tails. Love the feathers in this.....it's totally a fall look.

If you were featured, here is your button:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party!!!

Watercolor Tape Resist Craft

I spent the whole summer hosting kids crafts 3 times a week at the library that I work at, and I haven't posted anything about it. I've been totally out of the craft blogger zone!! I'm going to try to jump back into it again, with at least a craft a week....and I figured I'd announce it on here so I'd have something to hold myself to publicly. :-)

Here is a really simple exercise to try with kids. 

Tape Resist!!

I bought a whole bunch of simple blank notecards and let the kids use masking tape to make designs on them. Then we painted around them with watercolor paints, let them dry, and removed the tape!!

The same effect can be made with rubber cement. 

I shared this post at the following parties:

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Fall time is officially two weeks away – is anyone as excited as I am?! With fall time comes amazing things, like my birthday, decorating for the holidays, and hot cocoa and hot apple cider. Not to mention it’s time to fill your home with festive decorations and get crafty! Let’s go through some of the many things to look forward to, so that you’ll become just as excited as I am if you aren’t already excited about everything fantastic that the fall time brings. ;)

Fall time Decorating – Decorating your home with fall time elements is fun, especially when it involved pumpkins, acorns, fall foliage, and other fall inspired décor pieces. If you currently have wall fountains in your home and other modern pieces, don’t be afraid to incorporate fall time decorations. If anything this type of décor will add to your stylish home, not take away from it!

Photoshoot in a Leaf Pile – Every autumn I love to bring my smart phone or camera outside with me after the leaves have fallen from their branches. It’s so much fun taking shots of the piles of leaves and then having someone take a photoshoot of me and my family! There are also many creative ways to capture your memories during the fall time, and taking pictures when the leaves have fallen is a must-do activity.

Baked Pies and Other Yummy Foods – Mmm isn’t making food during the fall time a lot of fun? There are so many delicious snacks and desserts to make, from pumpkin pie to pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! Let’s not forget that Thanksgiving and Christmas fall after autumn time as well, and with these holidays comes even more delicious food such as mashed potatoes, turkey, green beans, and more food that’s far too good to pass up.

Fall Time Activities – Depending on where you live, its fun going to bonfires by the ocean, finding a corn maze to explore, and visiting a pumpkin patch before Halloween hits, that isn’t far from your home. All of these activities are family friendly and most are fairly inexpensive as well! Even though I’m in my late twenties I love participating in fall time activities. They are a great way to soak up the autumn time before it ends and winter sinks in! Oh wow, now I’m really getting ahead of myself. Its best you enjoy the fall time, pumpkin spice, and everything nice that comes with it.

Sierra is a freelance writer and owner of Paige One. Her birthday falls one day after the official start date of autumn (September 22nd), and the fall time is her favorite season.

A Marvelous Mess and the Feature!!

Great links last week!! I hope you all got a chance to visit a few new blogs and leave some comments. 

Here is the post I'm going to feature on my side bar for a week:

Gilded Fall from From Generation to Generation. Love this look. I have been meaning to try gilding....the color, especially after applying the toner, is just so rich. 

And, if you were featured, here is your button:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party!!!

Quality Health Care: What you and your Family Should Look For

Sometimes finding quality health care can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Every health care service is different and often times it is impossible to know if the doctor, office, and hospital will provide the most excellent health care that is available. So how can you be sure to find quality health care for yourself and your family? There are a few ways to measure health care that will lead to excellent care when it is needed the most.

Consumer Ratings

The first thing to consider when searching for quality health care is by reading consumer ratings. You will want to look for positive answers to your questions, such as finding out if the doctors communicated well and if the members received the health services they wanted. Not all of the ratings will be accurate, however, so be careful with your research and use your best judgment.

Clinical Performance Measures

Some use what is called HEDIS, which is a clinical performance measure. If you’re wondering how the measures work, they essentially look at a health care organization and evaluate how they treat and prevent illness in patients of all ages. One example is analyzing whether children get their shots when they need them. If they do, this is a good sign that the health care is superior quality.

Consult Friends and Family Members

Perhaps family members who live in your same city have an idea where to find excellent health care. It never hurts to ask them who they recommend and what their experience has been at the health care location they go to. Friends will also have experience with this matter as well. Ask around, do your research and you will feel better about your decision when you finally find the right physician, family practice and hospital to go to.

Depending on where you are located, find a family practice that will satisfy your health care needs by using consumer ratings and clinical performance measures as your guidelines. Once you find a family practice that you feel is a great fit, you no longer will have to be concerned!

For example, there is a Cary family practice or a Raleigh family practice that will fulfill your health needs by offering quality care. Isn’t it refreshing finding a family practice that will make you and your family feel like you are in good hands? So do your research and find quality health care for you and your family today.

Sierra is a freelance writer who loves to write about a variety of topics, from fashion to fitness.

What a Brave Costume....

I had a chance to review another fun costume from the Costume Supercenter. I chose to review Merida from the new Disney movie Brave.  The reason I chose Brave is because I feel that for the first time in a long while, Disney made a female character who can take care of herself and stands up for herself. In a world filled with Princess adoration in young children, I think it's very important to encourage the idea of women and strong and self-sufficient rather than weak and dependent on men.

The costume is fun and simple, with a fun celtic style, slightly puffed sleeves, a wide belt, and a velcro back. The material is satiny and has lovely hues. I have found that when buying costumes, in general, you should always add a size up. This is a great costume for dress-up or for Halloween, though if you live in the Northeast like me, you'll need to be wearing layers to go trick-or-treating.

Something else to consider when buying this costume is accessories!! What about Merida's bow??

For more information about Disney characters, try this website:

http://www.units.muohio.edu/psybersite/disney/disneyculture.shtml

Disclosure: I was given product in return for an honest review. 

A Marvelous Mess #76 and Features!!!

Sorry..... I'm running late!!

Here's the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week:

Record Clock from Live Love Laugh

                                                         Congrats!! Here is your button!!

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party!!!