It’s hot and humid here in Florida, but it’s no excuse to not dress-up for date night. Mabel’s Magic Dress can be found at French Connection for $198. Its a Sunnie Day with these adorable peek-a-boo pumps at Piperlime for $69. What girl doesn’t love a coach wristlet – Julia $98. Who says black and white is all they have to offer? Eye-catching pink shines brightly at White House Black Market in this silk flower cocktail ring, $28 and long pink pearl and rhinestone necklace, $88.

Ready. Set. Go. Date night, here I come!

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Dancer’s are the athletes of God – Albert Einstein

My 1-year-old daughter is girl after my own heart. I was a ballerina for over 20 years.

She hears music and the dancing begins. The huge smile and pure happiness in her movements spark my soul.

My four-year-old son can’t help but join in. They twirl round and round until one falls to the ground.

Rides in the family car are filled with giggles. The two car seats are bouncing to their lively dancing. I can’t help but smile as I listen to their laughter and singing to the songs on the radio.

Little Miss Diva is a natural. Today she was sleeping in her car seat when Usher’s OMG came on. Her little legs were bouncing along to the beat. Gotta love it!

I wake-up everyday looking forward to the joy my Little Dancing Diva brings to my life.

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Lycopene in tomatoes has been the subject of numerous studies the last several years. Lycopene has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. The antioxidant function of lycopene has been linked in human research in the protection of DNA inside of white blood cells. Prevention of heart disease has been shown to be another antioxidant role played by lycopene.

Lycopene from tomatoes has been repeatedly studied in humans and found to be protective against a growing list of cancers. These cancers now include: colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung and pancreatic cancers.

It is very easy to add tomatoes to your diet. My two favorite ways are by using grape tomatoes for healthy snacks and salsa. I hate store purchased salsa, it never tastes the way it does in a restaurant. This is a recipe I found that makes delicious salsa.

I Love Salsa
Ingredients:
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and very coarsely chopped
6 cloves garlic, dieced
2 large vine-ripened tomatoes
1 (28 0z.) can crushed tomatoes (garlic flavored) or diced tomatoes if you like it chunky
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. cumin
1 sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
juice of one lime

Directions:
Chop the jalapenos and garlic. Toss into a large bowl. Continue to chop the rest of the vegetables and add them to the bowl. Once the vegetables are all chopped add the can of tomatoes and stir with the chopped vegetables. Combine the lime juice, cayenne pepper, cumin, red wine vinegar and salt with all of the other ingredients in the bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.

Source:  adapted from a recipe http://annies-eats.com

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Wow, what a year. 2009 had it’s moments of ups and downs.

This past year-and-a-half has been full of struggles. My husband lost his job twice due to the problematic financial industry. We have been living on limited funds and finding creative ways to make money stretch.

But at the same time, I wouldn’t change anything. My beautiful daughter was born this year and she is such a blessing.

If I changed anything it would affect the whole course of my life. I may not have my son or daughter. Both of my children were born during very difficult times in my life. I believe everything happens for a reason.

I know that you have to go through a valley to reach the peak of a mountain. I realized that late one night when all my struggles and worries were keeping me up.

Laying in my bed crying, I was feeling sorry for myself. Why me?

Why not me?  Who am I to think that I should never go through anything.

Then I felt a warm comfort and realization. God was with me and I felt safe.

God reminded me that he loves me. He provided for my needs. I did not recognize it, but my needs were met.

My husband had a job during my pregnancy providing the insurance to cover the maternity care. He hated the job, but it provided for our needs at the time.

I believe God told me, I gave you what you needed at that time in your life. It may not be what you wanted, but your needs were met. I provided for your needs, why don’t you trust me with your dreams?

Why is it we don’t trust God with our dreams? Is it because we don’t think we deserve it or we don’t think he cares?

I know God will give you your dreams. In my shallow worries of the daunting day-to-day tasks, I didn’t realize that I had been given my dreams.

I always dreamt of having a son and daughter. God gave me the two most amazing, beautiful children I could ever ask for. They are healthy, happy kids. They bring so much joy into my life.

I have a wonderful husband who loves me. I am much happier loosing my home and being jobless then I will ever be without them. I am thankful everyday for my family.

HE gave me my dream!

I know God will continue to provide for my needs. He is my Jehovah Jireh – my provider.

This new year and new decade I will give God my dreams knowing that he will provide for my needs and bless me with my dreams. There is nothing HE can’t do.

God loves me!

It seems so simple, but it is such an amazing love. Too often, I get carried away with the struggles life presents that I forget about my loving Father.

Wishing you a blessed 2010, 

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All my life I have been a crest girl. When I was a kid, my parents purchased crest toothpaste for my sister and I. We grew-up on Crest and never thought about switching brands.

For the last few months I have been searching for a toothpaste that will leave my teeth feeling clean all day. I love the feeling of running my tongue along my teeth and feeling how slick my teeth feel.

I have tried Arm & Hammer Complete Care Fluoride Extra Whitening Toothpaste with Baking Soda & Peroxide, Crest Pro Health Whitening Toothpaste and Colgate MaxFresh Fluoride Toothpaste Breath Strips Whitening Clean Mint. All three toothpaste brands cleaned my teeth, but the feeling only lasted a few hours.  

One night I saw a commercial advertising Aquafresh Flouride Toothgel – Deep Impact. I was intrigued by the foaming action of the toothpaste. I wanted more information and went to the Aquafresh website.

On the Aquafresh website it states, “Given that 40 percent of your tooth surface is hidden between your teeth, getting your mouth healthy and clean can be a challenge. But Iso-Active’s revolutionary gel activates the moment you start brushing, transforming into a micro-fine foam. This active foam penetrates hard-to-reach places around your mouth, protecting between your teeth and giving you a whole-mouth clean.”

I purchased Aquafresh Flouride Toothgel – Deep Impact on my next trip to Target. When I used it that night I was amazed. I could not believe all the foam the pea-sized amount of gel made. When I did the tongue test, my teeth were very slick. I was happy. The next day I woke up with clean, slick feeling teeth.

Overall, I am very pleased with Aquafresh Flouride Toothgel – Deep Impact. My main complaint is the gel seems to always stick to the lid of the can and the pump itself needs to be wiped down after every use. Minor complaints, but I will purchase Aquafresh Flouride Toothgel – Deep Impact again.

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I love this strapless hi-low gown from White House Black Market. 

If you have beautiful legs but don’t want to bare them in the winter cold, this theatrical, asymmetrical skirt with hidden pockets is a great alternative. A slim-fitting bodice artfully holds you in from all those wonderful holiday meals. What girl doesn’t want a little help holding it all together?

Add a splash of color and feistiness by wearing this pink cocktail ring.

Beautiful, fun and feisty.

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Dear Husband,

I love this bedroom. It’s romantic and everything I dreamt of as a little girl.

Yes, it does need some color. Gray walls will be replaced with a pleasing shade of purple. Purple is the color of royalty. Purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic.

The linens and accessories will be a shade of violet with splashes of yellow.

I know it’s feminine but seriously, what married man cares what the bedroom looks like. To him it’s only purpose is for two things sleeping and sex.

So now you know. Let me rest my pretty little head in this girly room. Treat me like a princess and I will treat you as a king.

Love,

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My 4-year-old son is an artist. Throughout our house his art work is displayed. We have original drawings of houses taped to our dining room wall. In our living room, we have a beautiful rendition of Christmas trees. He has a wonderful imagination.

I love his creativity. For Christmas I asked my mother-in-law for an easel as a gift for him. The reviews are not so great for the easels that look great and have everything I want. Plus, my husband hates toys that clutter. I’m sure he will love the kitchen my family purchased for our kids.

Frustrated, I checked out amazon and saw the Crayola Glow Dome.  We have the Crayola 3-D Chalk and my son loves it. Overall, I am very happy with Crayola products.

The Crayola Glow Dome description:

With various light and rotation settings, the Crayola Color Explosion Glow Dome brings drawings to life with the illusion of animation. A fun, new interactive way to draw, the clear Glow Dome and inside panel become see-through canvases for creating imaginative scene. Using colored glow markers, the dome lights up drawings when turned on. This award-winning toy is fun for one, two, or even three friends to play with at a time.

The Crayola Glow Dome may be the answer to my easel dilemma. It’s compact in size and won’t be an eyesore. My son can keep the creativity flowing and my walls can be tape free.

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