Simply Been is Simply Gorgeous

This past Christmas, I participated in a Secret Santa exchange.

My gift was this gorgeous bracelet from Simply Been.

It's personalized with my daughters names on the other side (sorry, I flipped it over so you couldn't read the names... it's my thing) and the font is adorable! 

It's delicate yet sturdy. My youngest has tried her damnest to pull it off my arm without any success. It's also girly and pretty and everything I like.

I wanted to share it with you simply because I love jewelry that shows pride in being a mother. Their motto is: Simply loved, simply unique, simply yours.

Simply Been has lots of options for you to choose from too, you're bound to find something that screams your name.

I did not receive any compensation for this post. I love my bracelet, therefore I wanted to show love for Simply Been.

NYTM Cook: French Dip

I admit it, I've been stuck in a rut with my cooking lately.

I have been falling back on the same old recipes: stir fry veggies, rice and chicken with peppers and spaghetti. Add in the occasional chili, quesidillia or breakfast burrito and you have my every week for the past two months.

Boring, I know.

Today I made French dip sammiches and they were to die for!

And so damn easy.

I got a 3 lb top roast and a packet of Au Jus sauce. Add in a cup of water and put it in the crock pot for six to eight hours (on low).

Save the sauce for dipping!

I picked up some fresh sub rolls from Publix, toasted them and added provolone cheese.

I added mayo, because everything tastes better with mayo.

And enjoy!

Annnndddd I'm going back for seconds.

Special Events at Busch Gardens, Tampa!

When you combine animals and Sesame Street, you have a happy family on your hands.

My girls are crazy for both and I adore that Busch Gardens makes magic for them when we visit.

And visit, we will because we are armed with the (FREE) Preschool Pass.

From a recent press release:

"Saturday, Feb. 11

Elmo’s Warm and Fuzzy Valentine’s Day Party

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family’s favorite Sesame Street friends on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Swap Valentines with the characters and enjoy delicious food served buffet-style.

 

Sunday, April 22

Rosita’s Fiesta

Begin your family’s Viva la Musica celebration on April 22 by joining Rosita and her Sesame Street friends for a special fiesta at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Dance along with Rosita and her friends as they celebrate her Hispanic culture and enjoy delicious food served buffet-style. Then be sure to stick around for the featured concert that afternoon as part of Viva la Musica.

 

Sunday, May 13

Mother’s Day Dine      

Mom is special! So celebrate her special day on Sunday, May 13, at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun and enjoy lunch with Elmo and Friends. Your family will enjoy delicious food served buffet-style, character meet and greets with the lovable Sesame Street characters, family together time and a special treat for Mom.

 

Sunday, June 17

Father’s Day Dine

Make this Father’s Day special by sharing lunch with Dad at a Dine with Elmo and Friends at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun on June 17. Your family will enjoy delicious food served buffet-style, character meet and greets with the lovable Sesame Street characters, family together time and a special treat for Dad.

 

Saturday, Sept. 22

Zoe’s Dance, Dance, Dance Birthday Party

Zoe’s birthday is Sept. 30, and Busch Gardens invites you to celebrate Zoe’s birthday along with her best friend Elmo and their Sesame Street friends on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the park’s Sesame Street Safari of Fun. The dance party is included with a lunch with the characters. Wear your dancing shoes so your family can join Zoe in her favorite pastime.

 

Saturday, Oct. 20

Halloween Monster Mash Dine

Celebrate Halloween at a special party on Oct. 20 at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Your child can do the Monster Mash, meet The Count and his Sesame Street friends and enjoy a spooky, buffet-style lunch. NOTE: Costumes are welcome at the dine, but may need to be removed in order to safely go on rides.

Each special event dining experience is from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The cost is $22 adults and $15 children, and a 6x8 keepsake photo is included per family. Make your reservations at SesameStreetSafariofFun.com or call 1-888-800-5447. Pass members receive a 10 percent discount. Admission to the park is required but not included."


Sounds fun huh? Which one will you go to?

 

Top Five Lists.

I’m on a roll with this whole making list things lately.

Today I am sharing the top five things I am doing instead of homework.

#5 Searching for birthday party themes

I swore I wouldn’t do it this year, I said NO PARTIES. Then Roo went and started school and all her friends were having huge birthday parties and I made the mistake of asking Roo if she wanted one of her own. Of course she said yes (Duh Mom!) and now it’s exploded into a big party and I have a list of things to do a mile long. It’s going to be a pony party and finding cute horse theme birthday stuff is hard! But someone has to do it!

#4 Checking Facebook

I do this everyday… I have a great group of friends online and we congregate on our groups page all day long and it’s a great way to distract yourself from homework, deadlines, children….

#3 Staring out the window

My desk is right under a window and I spend 80% of my time staring out at the bright blue sky (I love Florida) and watching the clouds pass by.

#2 Doodling

I am a compulsive doodler. There is not a blank piece of paper out there that is safe from my pen. I tend to start with pretty, curly swirls and then go on to an octopus, or skull or quotes from Shakespeare.

#1 The Kardashians

I am serious about this one… The reality show on the Kardashians is on the E channel allllllllllllll the time. ALL THE TIME. So I flip on the tv and I watch… and watch… and watch. All the while I am asking myself WHY. But I still do… am. 

My Top Five Disney Movies

It's no secret, Disney movies rule this household.

It's safe to say that 8 out of 10 movies played here are of the Disney brand.

And I'm cool with it. Disney movies are always adorable, have catchy songs and happy ever after.

I decided, for your reading entertainment, to name my top five Disney movies.

#5 Toy Story
I was fifteen when this movie came out, and I went and saw it in the theaters with my family. It was hilarious. It was the first Disney movie I can recall that added a lot of humor into it, even humor that parents can laugh at. When Roo was two, this movie was on loop everyday at our house. She loved Buzz and Woody, even had little dolls of the character.

#4 Pete's Dragon
I remember seeing this movie for the first time on ABC's Wonderful World of Disney. I thought it was the coolest thing, having animation and live action at the same time. It was so cool. And Roo agrees with me on this one, she loves dragons and Pete is no exception.

#3 The Little Mermaid
After I saw this movie, I wanted nothing more than to be a mermaid. I can't imagine one little girl that didn't want to be a mermaid after this one. The songs in this one are also amazing and get stuff in your head long after the movie stops.

#2 Tangled
Oh, Rapunzel... Oh, I adore thee. Seriously. When Roo and I went to the theaters to see this one, I fell in love. The characters were great and the humor was spot on. I still laugh when we watch it at home. Rapunzel also stepped up to the plate and knocked it out by saving her true love, what a great way to teach girls that you don't always need to be rescued.

#1 Beauty and the Beast
A timeless movie that still makes me teary eyed! Oh, it's perfection. A smart, strong lead female that doesn't take any crap, especially from a Beast! What more do you need? This movie will always stay at the top spot of my list.

Finding Nemo 3D Trailer

My daughter's adore Finding Nemo.

The beauty of the film, the story, the colors, the humor!

And most importantly, the fish.

My girls are fish crazy.

So they (okay, Roo is going crazy not Turtle because Turtle doesn't really get what's going on, but when her sister is excited and jumps around she is excited and jumps around) are crazy about Finding Nemo coming out in 3D!

Here is the Official Trailer from Pixar and Disney.

Love is in the air at Enzian

I don't know about you, but this month is flying by for me. Seriously, didn't I just celebrate the New Year?


Now that February is knocking on our door, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.


Yes, Valentine's Day.


The Enzian Theatre is celebrating by playing romantic movies up until February 15th.


Here is the schedule (from the press release):


"Thursday, February 9, 7PM
Popcorn Flicks in the Park
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
Central Park, Park Avenue, Winter Park
FREE
http://www.enzian.org/film/sleepless_in_seattle/

Saturday, February 11, 12 NOON
Saturday Matinee Classics
ROMEO AND JULIET
Special introduction from Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Enzian
General Admission:  $8
Enzian Film Society Members:  $5
http://www.enzian.org/film/romeo_and_juliet/

Sunday, February 12, 10AM
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER
Valentine's Brunch
Fall in love all over again with an elegant brunch, live band, and stunning presentation of AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.
Enzian
Doors to the theater will open promptly at 10AM
Buffet will be available 10AM to 11:30AM
Film begins at 11:30AM
General Admission Pair:  $125
Admission for Two
Brunch Buffet for Two
Two Complimentary Mimosas
VIP Pair:  $250
Admission for Two
Brunch Buffet for Two
Two Complimentary Mimosas
Reserved VIP Table
A Bottle Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER on DVD
http://www.enzian.org/film/an_affair_to_remember/

Tuesday, February 14, 9:30PM
Cult Classics
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX
Enzian
Only $5
http://www.enzian.org/film/everything_you_always_wanted_to_know_about_sex/

Wednesday, February 15, 8PM
Wednesday Night Pitcher Show
MY BLOODY VALENTINE
On the lawn at Eden Bar
FREE
http://www.enzian.org/film/my_bloody_valentine/"

There is something for everyone.

Make sure you check it out and enjoy.