Spice up your gal’s wardrobe with this cheerful and easy fit dress by Jelly the Pug.  A simple Aline cut with a big surprise in the back…layers and layers of lovely ruffles.

This dress is perfect for any occassion, day or night. Wear it alone or throw on a long sleeve tee underneath when things cool off. Get great use from this beautiful dress, your little beauty can wear it all year long.

The pretty Patty dress comes in several gorgeous prints, to view them visit www.jellythepug.com

This great idea for a fruity pizza from Family Fun Magazine will have your kids full of excitement ready to eat their favorite summer fruits in a fun way. Fruits in an assortment of shapes and sizes allow your kids to make faces, designs, or fun shapes.

Ingredients:

Crust
1 ready to bake piecrust

Filling
1/2 cup soft spread fat-free or low-fat cream cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings
A selection of berries and sliced fruits (blueberries, strawberries, bananas, kiwis, seedless grapes sliced in half, Mandarin orange sections, pineapple, etc…)
Shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions:

Let the piecrust come to room temperature per the package instructions, then unfold it onto a large cookie sheet or pizza pan.

Roll up edges of the crust, crimping them slightly so that they’ll stay rolled up. Prick the crust lightly with a fork in about 20 places (allowing air to escape).

Bake the crust in a preheated 450 degree oven for about 9 minutes or until it’s lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool.

As the crust bakes, whisk together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract, adding just enough milk to make it spreadable. When the crust has cooled, spread on the cream-cheese mixture with a rubber spatula, bringing it to the edge of the pizza.

Arrange the fruit on the pizza and don’t stint on the creativity. Your kids can make a wild mosaic or a fruit face. If they like, sprinkle the pizza with shredded coconut. Slice with a sharp knife and serve, or refrigerate. Serves 8.

Why get dressed up and go out to a salon, when you can get the same benefits, and remain comfortable in your own space. The following masks are a few I found in my search for great skin with ingredients we all have in our refrigerator and pantry.  

These DIY facial recipes are super easy, good enough to eat and only take a few minutes to prepare. Great skin is only a kitchen away!

Papaya, Avocado Banana Facial (to moisturize)

Ingredients:
1/2 Avocado
1/2 Banana
1/2 Papaya

Instructions:
1. Mash the banana, avocado and papaya just enough so you have a nice smooth paste that you can apply to your face without it running off

2. Spread the paste gently and equally with your fingertips on your clean face and neck; keep the eye area clear. Then lie down, relax and leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes

3. Then wash off mask with alternately cold and warm water and end with a splash of cold; pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Finally apply a moisturizer, this way you “seal” your skin to keep the water inside

Yogurt, Honey, Oats Banana Facial (anti-aging)

Ingredients:
1 Banana
2 Tablespoons plain unflavored Yogurt, with active cultures
1 Tablespoon Organic Honey
Mineral Water

Instructions:
1. Warm up the honey until it becomes liquid (not too hot!) by putting it in a small glass or metal bowl which is immersed in hot water. Mash the banana, add the other ingredients and mix everything well until you have a smooth paste (add either oatmeal flour or water to get the right consistency)

2. Spread the paste gently and equally with a facial mask brush or spatula on your clean face and neck; keep the eye area clear. Lie down, relax and leave mask on for 20 minutes.

3. Then wash off mask  with lukewarm water; pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

This retro inspired dress from Decaf Plush has all the adorable details to keep your little girl looking sweet & stylish. The dresses groovy pattern will have you chirping away with excitment over this fab find. You’ll want to call up the other moms right away and schedule a play date just to show it off.

Plus the pretty pink bird pockets are made from eco-friendly felt. This dreamy dress is an absolute must-have for your darling doll.

To purchase this dress, click here.

Summer time is a great time for kids to enjoy the outside and play hard. However, getting your child to continue to eat healthy during summer vacation can be a challenge sometimes.  I have searched high and low for some kid friendly treats, that are healthy as well as tasty. Even our toughest little critics will be sure to enjoy these:

Veggies and dip; carrots, celery, broccoli and peppers and dip in low fat ranch dressing.

Smoothies: blend nonfat plain yogurt, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and ice in a blender.

Fruit kabobs; dice up your favorite fruits and line them up on a wooden skewer.

Baby carrots and a side of hummus.

Slice a banana in half and smear peanut butter on top.

Baked tortilla chips with white bean dip.

Keep a bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables that are clean and ready to eat on the kitchen table or front and center in the refrigerator so that the kids can reach it.

Frozen blueberries or strawberries on top of non fat yogurt make a refreshing afternoon snack.

 Make your own frozen snacks using unsweetened fruit juice, water and seedless watermelon chunks. Pour into ice cube trays, add wooden sticks and freeze

Half a turkey sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread with a sliced apple.

String cheese and whole wheat crackers.

Low fat graham crackers with peanut butter

Cereal Parfait (shown above), with Low fat or Non fat yogurt, cheerios and top with raspberries & blueberries.

With the summer heat, your hair can be hard to manage. Keeping your hair down can be hot and sticky if you’re spending a lot of time outside with the little ones, and sometimes a plain ponytail just isn’t enough to quench our thirst for a fun, summery style. This is a very beautiful and fun variation of a French Braid that is perfect for moms, teens, tweens, and little girls! This style is great for any occasion, whether it be to a play date, strolling on the beach or a night out on the town. Revamp that original french braid with this super cool Waterfall – French Braid.

Instructions:

Here’s a sweet twist on an enduring kid combo.  A layer of jam is sandwiched between a moist peanut butter crust and a crumbly peanut topping. YUMMY!

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups flour, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, at room temp
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups creamy or crunchy peanut butter
1-1/2 cups seedless jam, such as raspberry
1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt, then set aside.

2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat the butter and both sugars intil well blended, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer spedd to low and add the vanilla, eggs and peanut butter. Beat them until well blended. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat until a soft dough is formed.

3. Spread two thrids of the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan, then spread the jam evenly on top. Scatter small mounds of the remaining dough over the jam layer and sprinkle it with the peanuts.

4. Bake the dessert until golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through, about 45 minutes. let the dessert cool before cutting into squares. Makes 18 bars.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 bar): Calories350, total fat 18g (28% DV), Saturated Fat 6g (30% DV), Cholesterol 33mg (11% DV), Sodium 252mg (10% DV), Total Carohydrate 41g (14% DV),
Fiber 2g (9% DV), Sugars 26g, Protein 8g (15% DV).

Sarah’s diet constists of 3 things:  Family, Fitness & Fun. As a mommy of 3 she has gotten creative in having them lend their little hands in the kitchen, as well as in their at home gym.  When the apron is off and the yoga mat has been put away Sarah enjoys a night on the town with her husband and friends.

It’s time to ditch the dark, earthy tones for some pretty polishes that pop! In full bloom for the season are 6 new shades from Essie’s Summer Collection, including the gorgeous  Braziliant featured here.

No time in Mommy’s busy schedule for a mani/pedi? Simply apply two coats of this lovely lacquer and watch your nails beam to their full potential. Essie’s Nail Lacquer is chip resistant, long lasting and provides flawless coverage. So you can go ahead and Shine on into Summer.

To purchase Essie’s Brazialiant Polish, click here.

Jessica is a mommy of two fabulous kiddos and two beautiful pups who enjoys all things fashion. She has several years of experience in the fashion industry working in Sales & Marketing. In her spare time she likes to work on art projects with her son, play dress up with her daughter and listen to her favorite music; Classic Rock. She also enjoys a mommy & daddy date night anytime Grammy is available.

Here’s a colorful medley that makes a delicious summer dish. You can serve it as a salad or a chunky dip, scoop it up with tortilla chips, YUM!

Ingredients
 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 1/2 cups diced avocado (1/2 inch pieces)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup finely diced red onion

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper.

2. Add the corn, avocado, tomatoes, and onion and toss to mix. Serve at room temp.

Sarah’s diet constists of 3 things:  Family, Fitness & Fun. As a mommy of 3 she has gotten creative in having them lend their little hands in the kitchen, as well as in their at home gym.  When the apron is off and the yoga mat has been put away Sarah enjoys a night on the town with her husband and friends.

Many children are born to run, why not run after them in style?  Add a fresh pop of color and a dose of sweetness to any ensemble with these magical Missoni Jelly Flat Thongs. Perfect your summer get-ups and upgrade from dreary rubber flip flops to these fab flat sandals.

With the Missoni classic print on the soles of your feet and the printed bow on top, these sandals will have you feeling fierce and of course fabulous!

To purchase these Missoni Jelly’s, click here.  

Jessica is a mommy of two fabulous kiddos and two beautiful pups who enjoys all things fashion. She has several years of experience in the fashion industry working in Sales & Marketing. In her spare time she likes to work on art projects with her son, play dress up with her daughter and listen to her favorite music; Classic Rock. She also enjoys a mommy & daddy date night anytime Grammy is available.