Last Minute Valentine Ideas * Sweet & Simple Magazine

Are you looking for some fun last-minute Valentine's Day ideas? We have some for you, heart filled and everything lovey.

These easy to make Valentine's are sweet spin on kids sewing cards. Simply cut out some hearts from craft paper, punch some holes, sew together with pretty ribbon and fill with Valentine candies.

These are the Very Best Sugar Cookies, I promise! Top them with some Valentine sprinkles, red sugar or heart shaped red hots.

This Heart-a-Stack game is one for those of you looking for a sweet little game for your kids this Valentine's Day. Simply grab a big bag of conversation hearts and see who can build the tallest stack!

Want to leave something sweet for your sweetheart in the morning? Print out and tape this Valentine's Tear Card on your bathroom mirror for some Valentine's Day fun play together.

Do you do a nice Valentine's Day breakfast too? It's tradition in our house to have French Toast with red berries on top. This Berry Sourdough French Toast is delicious topped with vanilla bean creme fraiche.

Happy Heart Day!

Max Your Tax Cash * Movie Night Craft

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

How do you max your tax cash? We decided to use the Walmart Family Mobile plan to get the most out of our tax return. With the leftover money, we were able to spend some extra money on family time including some travel and regular movie nights at home will tons of snack, treats and drinks.

We are loving the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan and the Samsung Galaxy On5 phone we got for it. My college kids are loving it too. They have been texting me regularly and taking advantage of the 10GB of data (includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G.). My daughter and I Snapchat each other regularly, pin to our Pinterest boards and play games too.

Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan and the Samsung Galaxy On5 phone are such a great value. The price of the phone is so affordable. The mobile PLUS plan not only gives us great coverage in our area it provides hours of data for only $49.88 per month, per line. The Samsung Galaxy On5 is at the the Rollback price of $69 (see below.) 

A few things to know about the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan

• Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data which *includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE then 2G and a free movie credit on VUDU every month ($7 value) for $49.88 per month, per line.
• Plan includes a free VUDU movie credit every month, $7 value (same as a new release rental) per line
• Just pick a phone or Bring Your Own, and get your SIM Kit for only $19.88.

Let's talk about Movie Nights!

With our free movie rental at VUDU and the money we saved from using the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS Plan, we are hosting regular movie nights each week at our house.  We stream our movies with our Chromecast. With everyone on the sofa, chairs and floor watching the movies spills tend to happen so I came up with this fun idea for everyone who joins us.  It's a Movie Snack Caddy to hold your drink, popcorn and snacks! 

Supplies:

• 1 new plastic (cleaning supply) caddy per person
• 1 plastic popcorn box per person
• craft glue (super glue works great)
• assorted gems, stickers and other embellishments
• all the drinks, snacks and treats you want!

This could be a fun activity before the movie. Everyone can decorate their own movie snack caddy. Simply glue your embellishments to the caddy and plastic popcorn box. Allow the glue to dry. If you have older kids like me we used super glue which dries in seconds. 

 The great thing about the Movie Snack Caddy is that you can use them every time you have a movie night.

What are you planning to do with your extra cash and your free movie rental?

Be sure to go check out the Walmart Family Moble section at your local Walmart for plans, phones and more.

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/7e-jr or your local Walmart for current pricing.

Back to School * College Edition

Sponsored by Procter & Gamble products at Bed Bath & Beyond. All opinions are mine of course.

We're calling this the Off to College and Stay Clean Kit. I have 3 kids in college this year, my twins who are 20 and my 18 year old. Besides having some good basic foods to eat the next important factor for college kids is the smelling fresh and clean necessity. Good affordable prodcuts are a must. Our kit includes...

• Gillette Venus Flex Swirl Razor for my daughter 
• Fusion ProGlide Manual Razor with FlexBall for my sons
• Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
• Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash for the boys 
• Olay Moisturizing Body Wash for my daughter
• Secret Outlast Women's Invisible Solid Deodorant with 48 hour protection for you know those long study hours
• Old Spice Antiperspirant & Deodorant one of my sons likes the white solid and the other likes the clear gel
• Tide Pods for super easy no measuring laundry
• Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste to keep their teeth nice and white for those dates
• Oral B Toothbrush 

I swear by my Secret and Gillette razors. I've been using Tide on my kids clothes since they were toddlers. It's gotten them through grass stains, chocolate stains and mud stains I'm sure it can handle any college student grim they can dish out. I have tried other brands and they are the only ones that really work. Bundle these things all up with a shower poof in a shower caddy so they can carry their things back and forth from the bathroom and they are set. 

For my daughter I'm adding in a little liner and lipstick. The CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner can give her a great no smudge line and the CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick comes in so many pretty colors. 

They are ready to head out to fall semester with a good solid collection of keep clean basics. 

Did you know that Bed Bath and Beyond carries Procter and Gamble prodcuts? The Harmon section inside Bed Bath & Beyond has all of your back to college essentials, like Tide, Secret, Crest, and more P&G products. And guess what? Right now Beth Bath and Beyond is having a special for college students heading to school. When you buy $40 worth of the participating P&G items at Bed Bath & Beyond, you’ll receive a $10 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card! Perfect for some new towels or washcloths. Don't you just love freebies. 

My favorite College Speak term is MOMCLEAN. It's definitely something my college kids need to work on but I know they will get there. It's just a matter of experience. But as a mom I know I have my own LEGDAY's.

What's your favorite College Speaker Term?

Terms:

• MOMCLEAN (a): Clean like it came right from your mom’s washer
• SPEAKYCLEAN (a): So shiny you have to say something about it
• HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start
• LEGDAY (n): A great day for showing off those legs
• FRESHZEN (n): A student who is completely focused on fresh
• ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap

Share your own #CollegeSpeak term for the chance to win a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card and the following P&G products:

• CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner
• CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick
• Gillette Venus Swirl Razor
• Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
• Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash
• Secret Outlast Invisible Solid Deodorant
• Tide Pods
• Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste
• Oral B Toothbrush

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by Procter and Gamble products at Bed Bath & Beyond. All opinions are mine of course.

Best Quotes

This is one of my favorite quotes. I hope you enjoy it. If you click on the image it will enlarge. It's an 8 1/2 inch x 11 inch so you can print it to a regular sheet of paper. Happy Easter!

Mashed Potatoes * Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Recipe:

Perfect Browned Butter Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes 
Recipe & Photo by:
Kitchen McCabe


It's that time of year for Thanksgiving Dinner. If you making it your first time or if you are assigned to bring something we're collected a few recipes from our favorite bloggers. Between now and Thanksgiving day we are collecting some of the best Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes on our Pinterest THE Hearth SOCIETY board. Follow along you might just find a new family favorite this year #YUM

Recipe:
Slow Cooker Garlic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Recipe & Photo by:
Simply Gloria

Recipe:
Buttermilk Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Recipe & Photo by:
Foodie Crush

Recipe:
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Recipe & Photo by:
Self Proclaimed Foodie

Recipe:
Restaurant-Style Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Recipe & Photo by:
Delicious as it Looks

Don't forget to check out more Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes on our Pinterest board.

Traveling with Kids * Tools of the Trade * Travel

Traveling with kids can be fun and exciting way to experience the world together. As a mom of 3 and two of them twins I know that coming up with a good strategic plan for all the paraphernalia required for a comfortable trip is essential. Properly prepared you can have a great time together making memories to last a lifetime. 

Diapers and wipes, check.. changing pad, check... change of clothes, check ... a stylish backpack for dad to carry everything check without looking like he has a purse, check. We love the Picos Pack from Pacapod. It doesn't even look like a diaper bag which was always my goal when choosing a diaper bag for my kids.

The Diono Monterey High Back Expandable Booster Seat is for kids 40 lb to 120 lb. I first like the grow with me feature so it lasts as your kids grow. The 11 position adjustable headrest and the dial should width adjustment makes sure it's a good fit as they grow. Second it's durable to withstand an active kids who we all know can really beat up their stuff. My favorite travel feature is that the booster bottom is detachable which makes it easy to bring on the airplane and in rental cars while traveling. Diono also has a travel bag to put your car seat in for easy carrying. My favorite comfort travel feature is the two sided cup holders are perfect for a snack on one side and a drink on the other. I think the moms need one of these too!

Snacks and drinks are a must when traveling with kids. Heck there a must for me too! I love love love the Pura Kiki 100% plastic free bottles. They are stainless steel with a wide opening for the best cleaning. No more rotten stinky plastic sippy cups. They have thier own silicone nipps and sippy tops but are also compatible with most high quality brand nipples and sippy tops. They also have a screw on top to use as a snack cup too. Bonus, they come in such cute bright colors and offer an insulated version.

Moms know a stroller is a much kids and babies need a place to sit while you run through the airport. Our favorite is the Maclaren Twin Techno Stroller. Even if you have one kid the twin stroller gives you a place to put all your luggage and bags needed. It can hold up to 110 lbs. It fully reclines, has  undercarriage storage space and folds up nicely to be checked at the gate right before boarding the plane. Bonus, Maclaren offer some great accessories for the stroller plus a sturdy travel bag cover.

Travel * Florida's Amelia Island Plantation * part one

After visiting the Amelia Island Plantation in Florida I decided that there is just way to much goodness about the resort to write it all up in one post. I will be featuring Amelia Island in a 3 part feature starting with my favorites for a relaxing vacation getaway that I find perfect. Just look at that lovely row of beach cabanas above. When I think of a great relaxing getaway there are 3 big things that come to mind Cabana on the Beach, Spa treatments and good food. Omni Hotels and Resorts know how to do all three very well and with Amelia Island they kept their ever good reputation and well exceeded it.

Already a historical favorite resort, the Omni Hotels & Resorts spent $85 million to Re-Imagination the legendary Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort into the 404 rooms on 1,350 acres of private luxury resort to the stunning resort it is today. Yes, 1350 acres. Now you know why I need at least 3 parts of this feature.
With a huge new pool multi tiered pool including an adults only infinity edge pool, a 10,000 square foot family friendly pool and 3.5 miles of immaculate beach sun and water are abundant.
For me the poolside and beach side service while sipping a cool drink and reading my favorite magazine is ideal.

I also love that there is an adults only pool. I'm more of a pool lounger-floater-wader than a swimmer and the idea of relaxing with out kids splashing around sounds lovely.
One mark of a truly luxurious hotel resort is in the details. See the quality furniture and beautiful landscape, it's in the details.

A great resort always has a great spa. At the full service Spa and Salon is just "footsteps from the Sea." Taking a green and organic approach free from harmful chemicals, artificial ingredients and preservatives.
I have sensitive skin and I'm allergic to petrochemicals which aren't good for your body anyway so I LOVE this about the Amelia Island Spa.
How does a Seaside Sensory Journey that includes a cool down treatment using natural silk proteins and plum wine sugar acids or a Plantation Blossom Ritual that includes a warmed exfoliate of lemon, papaya, cherry blossom, and rice powder cream sound? You will be polished, buffed, masked, and massaged to a state of relaxation and calm.



The food is good, really good so good it will all be covered in part 2 of our 3 part feature.

Summer Potluck Salad Recipes * Taste Pin

Summer is in full force with picnics, get-togethers, family reunions backyard BBQ's and potluck dinners. We collected to sweet recipes from Pinterest to give you a few ideas for salads to bring and share.

Recipe:
Chicken Bacon and Avocado Salad
Recipe & Photo by:
Gimme Some Oven

Recipe:
Fusilli Pasta Caesar Salad 

Recipe & Photo by:
Taste and Tell Blog

Recipe:
Best Potato Salad Recipe

Recipe & Photo by:
One Good Thing

Recipe:
BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad

Recipe & Photo by:

Damn Delicious 

Recipe:
Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad

Recipe & Photo by:

Cooking Classy

Sweet Ride 2014 * the Rugged Hauler * Nissan Titan Pro- 4X

When we look for a truck we look for something that is a rugged, tough, hauling machine to take us and our toys almost anywhere. The Nissan Titan Pro-4X delivers as our rugged hauler. From it's uphill power to the undercarriage skid plates you will be ready for some rough and tumble fun.

When it comes to hauling your trailer, boat or other toys the Nissan Titan Pro-4X has the largest standard engine in its class. It can handle up to 9,500 pounds of towing with 317 horsepower. We love that the Titan offers shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive which means you don't have to stop to switch from 2-wheel drive to 4-wheel drive. When your on a serious back country muddy road or in some deep snow the last thing you want to do is stop to change from 2-wheel drive to 4- wheel drive and risk getting stuck.
When off road you will drive in comfort with the Rancho® off-road shock. You won't have to worry about damaging the underbody while driving on rough rocky roads with the underbody skid plates.

The crew cab is ready to take your crew out for the weekend with seating for 5. If it's just the two of you fold up the back seats for more cargo space in the back which allows for more options for vertical hauling.

We love the seat fold configurations that allows for an on-the-road desk/table. Great if you want to sit on the back seat and work on your laptop, or set up lunch while traveling.

From cellphone holder, note pad holder, organizer tray to drink holder you will be ready at a moments notice right from the drivers seat. Bonus, the Titan offers a side of truck build in tool storage locking space so you can use the whole back of the pick-up for more important things.

 Can't you just see yourself setting up camp in this back of the truck tent. Looks like so much fun plus you won't risk getting wet in the morning on the dewy ground.


As Nissan quips it's innovation that will excite you.