Thursday, September 9, 2010

Party like a rockstar







Kid's Birthday Bash





Hosting a child's birthday party can be as simple or detailed as you want it to be! Just make sure that your main focus is keeping the kids
entertained.....





We recently hosted a 3rd birthday train party to die for, and boy did we have fun!


It is so easy to make it your own....
  • Pick a theme

  • Find favors that correlate with your theme
  • Bake a cake or cupcakes in the shape or style of your theme




Get a million balloons, you can never go wrong with balloons
  • Do some easy to coordinate kid's games
  • A pinata, HELLO!

  • Make some adult drinks (you will need them)
  • Have everyone bring a dish, potluck style, it makes the party planning so much easier
  • Dress up the birthday boy, or girl to go with the theme, they will be the main attraction
  • HAVE FUN!!!



Ciao,
M.E.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

One foot in front of the other...

Get off your butt, and get outside! The weather is starting to shift and our Arizona nights are going to be enjoyable again! So get out there and practice that thing you learned to do when you were 1 year old.... oh yeah, WALKING! It's free and doesn't require any special equipment, so take advantage while you can.

Never underestimate the importance of walking. According to Cambridge Community Development here are just a few of the benefits of a long stroll.
  • good for your heart
  • improves circulation
  • helps breathing
  • combats depression
  • bolsters the immune system
  • helps prevent osteoporosis
  • helps prevent and control diabetes
  • helps control weigh







So it's time to hit the streets. And you could even exercise your mind by having a walking companion to discuss the ever changing wonders of the world or just some good ol' fashion gossip, you choose. And don't forget Fido either, all dogs need exercise too so pick up the leash grab your sneakers and get goin'!


Remember to always practice safety first, never walk alone after dark and carry a cell phone. 

ENJOY! 


Caio, 


M.E.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Fast Food

Fresh and easy!


I am painting tonight, which means no time to make a gourmet meal for the fam, but I hate the idea of just going through a drive-thru!







So I will make this short and sweet tonight. Visit Hillside Spot, one of the newest additions to the restaurant selection in Ahwatukee. You can enjoy amazing food that is fresh, quick, organic and locally grown. They completely support local farmers and businesses, and I have been overly excited about every dish I have tried! Hillside Spot serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner-please try the pulled pork san
dwich-delish.....






  • Sun-Thur 6:30a-9p, Fri-Sat 6:30a-10p
  • Letusknow@Hillsidespot.com
  • 480.705.SPOT


  • Ciao,
    M.E.



    Monday, September 6, 2010

    Happy Labor Day!


    MIX IT UP! 

    Check out these beautiful dinning spaces! I love a mix and match table and chair set.






    Photos from emmas designblogg & Simply Grove blog. Two of my favs. 

    Hope you all have wonderful and safe Labor Day, and your dinning rooms are filled with yummy food and people you love!  

    Friday, September 3, 2010

    Shop 'til you drop...




    School girl attire






    School is back in session, and although I hate the traffic it creates in my neighborhood, I love the shopping that inevitably gets better as students start to pack into the dorms for the new year. Living close to campus definitely has it's benefits -one of our favorites is probably the new Five Guys burger joint on campus-and it is time to take advantage of the amazing shopping that Tempe has to offer! Some of my favorite local stores are below, and while a few are chains, they still evoke the unique style that a one-of-a-kind boutique has to offer!








    Pitaya



    They offer really unique and inexpensive basics and fun pieces as well. I have so many go-to items I have gotten there! Best of all, everything is made in the U.S.A.!



    Phoenix, AZ
    524 S. Mill Avenue

    Tempe, Arizona 85281
    tempe@pitaya.com
    480-557-9422
    Mon - Thurs: 11am - 9pm

    Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
    Sun: 12pm - 8pm








    American Apparel


    American Apparel i
    s the place to go for the absolute best t-shirt in town. can you say comfy, cozy, delicious? That is the best way to describe every piece I have ever gotten there, and once again a homegrown company. Everything is produced in downtown L.A.


    Tempe
    Mill Avenue
    526 S. Mill Ave.
    http://store.americanapparel.net
    (480) 317-3000







    Divaz




    They have really fun "going out" finds, plus amazing accessories and bags. And once again, the prices are really great. I have been a loyal Divaz fan for years, and their styles still impress...



    DIVAZ BOUTIQUE
    TEMPE, AZ 85281, AZ US
    2000 E. RIO SALADO PARKWAY
    480-966-SHOP (7467)

    Read more: http://www.myspace.com/divazboutique#ixzz0yVlGz16T










    Loveland Boutique

    This fabulous boutique is literally within walking distance from my house and I have found everything from adorable baby clothes, to handmade jewelry and really unique clothing at this small yet charming boutique.

    107 East Baseline Road - Tempe, AZ 85283
    480.456.8610
    http://www.lovelandkids.com











    Urban Outfitters

    Okay, so we all know the name and have been there a million times, but don't forget about this amazing store. They still have some of the most fantastic clothes around, and the home accessories seem to have gotten better over the years too!



    MILL AVE
    545 South Mill Ave. Tempe 85281-3619

    (480) 966 - 7250
    STORE HOURS:
    11:00 AM-7:00 PM Sunday
    10:00 AM-10:00 PM Monday-Thursday
    10:00 AM-11:00 PM Friday-Saturday












    So have fun shopping this holiday weekend, and don't forget to have a glass of sangria at La Bocca for me:)...

    La Bocca Urban Pizzaria & Wine Bar | 699 South Mill Avenue, #115, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480.967.5244 | eat@laboccapizzeria.com laboccapizzeria.com





    Ciao,

    M.E.

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    It's Tailgate Time

    IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON! 

    Can I tell you that I have heard all a girl can take about fantasy football? But there is something about football that gets me excited for fall. I think it must be the tailgating!! 

    Putting together a rockin' tailgate is no easy feat, and though college kids across America do it weekly. Although a good one does take quite a bit of planning. 



    Step 1: Get a head count: You need to know how many people to expect before you plan your grub and beer. Always round up, because without fail someone brings a friend or you see someone you know passing in the crowd. If you have leftovers you can always use it for the next game!

    Step 2: The main course:  Easy is a must. When you are standing outside and cooking on a fold up grill, there is no room for frills. Think classic, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. But you can also spice things by cooking the dogs in beer for example. 
    A great food idea is to eat your enemy! When playing University of Colorado Buffalo's make Buffalo burgers! Or if your up against the Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Cheese Steaks. This will help to keep your menu from being boring. 


    Step 3: Snacks: Football season is made for chips and dips. Any dip you can dream up is perfect for a football game. Just keep climate in consideration. You don't want to serve something that has to stay cold in the middle of an Arizona summer. 

    Step 4: Drinks: Beer goes without saying, but you can't forget its counterpart Water, especially when it's so hot the first part of the season. I don't recommend bringing any sort of liquor to a tailgate, most people spend a few hours pre-gaming and liquor might put you over the edge before the game even starts. And nobody likes a drunk, obnoxious fan.

    Step 5: Games: Tossing around a pigskin is a must! But don't for get the classic Corn Hole or Tailgate Golf! These games are great because you can buy them ready to go, or you can make them yourself. Bonus : if it's homemade, you can incorporate your teams colors or logos on the game! 

    How to make Corn Hole: just check youtube for step by step instructions. 


    Where to buy a pre-made game: www.ajjcornhole.com 

    How to make Tailgate Golf: For step by step instructions: http://www.ehow.com/how_2258249_make-ladder-golf-game.html


    Where to buy pre-made game: www.americantailgater.com


    Step 6: Tunes: Music is a must at a tailgate. It gets the group pumped up and ready for the game. Don't forget to download your schools fight song! www.fightmusic.com

    Step 7: Spirit: Don't forget your team flare! A painted face or at the very least your team colors! 








    GO DEVILS!!

    Ciao, 
    M.E.   

    Wednesday, September 1, 2010

    Health Nut

    Bikini Bod

    What better time to jump-start your workout and nutrition routine than when a vacation is on the horizon?
    And what better way to start than with the right eating habits? I am going on vacation next month and I plan on having a pretty sick bikini body for poolside cocktails and fun:)!...so, my wonderful boyfriend(who also happens to be a pretty buff dude)is going to give us all some healthy eating tips sure to get our bodies in swimsuit ready shape.




    Here are his trusty tips:


    The most important part of a workout
    regimen is what you eat, and when you eat. When trying to burn fat and increase muscle it is a must to eat a largely protein, low carbohydrate diet...but also it is ideal to eat meals either right after a great workout, or at least two hours prior to exercising. Doing this will ensure you will have the body you desire quicker and the results will speak for themselves.










    Eat the following "7 most important power snacks," from Reps Magazine to give your body it's desired caloric intake, and I promise you will feel energized and fueled for your next workout! The first one is a little scary, but don't be afraid...it gets better!





    1. Sardines

    2. Cottage Cheese or Greek Yogurt

    3. Deli turkey meat
    4. Boiled eggs
    5. Tuna
    6. Raw-unsalted almonds
    7. Turkey jerky (lower in fat and better for you than beef jerky)








    -Keeping your body energized is super important when trying to lose weight; so eat small healthy snacks every couple of hours to help curb cravings and keep meals smaller.
    After we have lost those stubborn pounds, the hardest part is keeping them off. A healthy lifestyle is just that, A LIFESTYLE. Yo-yo dieting is the worst thing you can do to your body, and it is sure to not only be unhealthy long-term for your well being, it will leave it's mark on your appearance too. (Most women lose and gain weight in their breasts first, so all of that deflation and inflation is sure to cause premature stretching and sagging, yikes!)

    So what is the best way to keep the weight off long-term?....Muscular Development Magazine says, "A study from from Maastricht University in the Netherlands showed that diets low in fat and high in whey protein were more effective for long-term weight control than low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets."

    In short: work out, snack often, and eat high-protein and low-fat meals. In no time we will all be ready to go bathing suit shopping!

    Thanks Rich, for guest blogging and doing it so darn well:)!

    Ciao for now,
    M.E.