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Finding and Living Your Passions
Guest blog by Molly from digitalmomblog.com
How happy are you in the place where you are at right now? Are you following your passions?
Check Out Jen & Barb’s This Next “Pursuing Your Passion” Shopping Guide on Thisnext.com
This week, in conjunction with our new video about pursuing your passion, we have created a shopping guide on Thisnext.com Take a look at some of our favorite items from yoga accessories to a items to step up your interior-decorating game! Tell us what you think of our guide on the Jen & Barb Facebook page
Find Your Passion
Guest Blog Find Your Passion by Kimberly from SheScribes
When you ask people what comes to mind when they hear the word “passion”, most people will think about strong feelings of romance, lust and desire.
The dictionary has several definitions for the word passion. Passion can also be defined as an intense drive, overmastering conviction, a strong liking or desire.
Everyone has something in life that they are passionate about and not necessarily on a romantic level. Personally I am very passionate about writing and photography. I may be a mediocre writer and my photography mostly ends up getting lost on my many hard drives, but that doesn’t dim my passion for writing or snapping photos of everything in sight.
When we are younger we have a passion for many different things. As we get older “life” seems to chip away at our passions, or they disappear all together.
I think it’s important to be passionate about something. It can be the driving force that moves your life into a direction that will make you feel happier and more satisfied.
Let me share with you a story about having passion for something changed the direction of my life. (more…)
The Birthday Party Dilemma
From watching Gretta on the show, I can’t believe that her baby is turning 1! I remember watching her pregnant at her house getting ready for the baby … the time goes so fast. When my kids were little, I subscribed to “the more the merrier” philosophy with their birthday parties. I loved to invite their friends from school, their parents, friends we don’t see as often, family, etc. I am so glad I did that when the kids were younger, because now that they are 8 and 9, they don’t want parties anymore. They like to invite two or three of their closest friends and go to an amusement park. You’d think that saves me money, but think again. We live in LA and that amusement park is Disneyland! (But that’s a whole separate conversation.) When it comes to kids birthday parties, my advice to any mom is: Go with your gut, don’t try to compete with anyone else, have fun planning and at the party (the kids can tell – trust me!), serve adult food and drinks (a little champagne for the parents is great), and once the kids are old enough to chime in, let it be THEIR party, not yours.
How do you celebrate children’s birthdays? Share your thoughts below.
Jen
I Love Birthday Parties!
Gretta’s son’s first birthday party reminds me of the party we threw for the twins when they turned 1. We just celebrated with friends and family to mark the milestone. But ever since then, all bets have been off as we’ve gone all out with big bashes for the girls – especially since we only need to throw one party for both of them. Over the years, we’ve had various themes: Dora the Explorer (age 2), princess (age 3), super heroes (age 4), Tinker Bell (age 5), county fair (age 6), hotel birthday (age 7), roller skating (age 
and most recently a “Glee” party (age 9). My favorites have been the princess and the roller skating themes — even the parents roller skated and it felt like we were all in eighth grade again! We try to make the birthday party on a weekend so all parents and siblings can attend too. No Evites – just regular old-fashioned invitations that I then save for the girls to have for years to come. These are not just parties – they’re family memories. I have gotten a lot of criticism for having these “over the top” parties but if there is one time of the year to indulge your children, I think it is on their birthdays. That is their special day and it should be celebrated with a bang!! I don’t apologize for going all out, but of course I think everyone should do what’s right for their family. The years fly by, so enjoy it!!!
Barb
Check Out Jen & Barb’s This Next “Wow Your Guests” Shopping Guide on Thisnext.com
Check Out Jen & Barb’s This Next “Wow Your Guests” Shopping Guide on Thisnext.com
This week, in conjunction with our new video about Wowing guests at your next dinner party, we have created a shopping guide on thisnext.com. Take a look at some of our favorite items from candles and centerpieces to a cute pair of shoes, all sure to wow your friends! Tell us what you think of our guide on our Facebook page Jen & Barb Facebook page.
Sweet T Makes Three
Guest Blogger: Jenn of SweetTMakesThree.com
While the cuisine is the obvious focus of a dinner party, it’s just as important to focus on atmosphere when “wowing” guests. Nothing will kill a serene atmosphere more quickly than a stressed-out hostess so make sure you’ve planned ahead. Creating dishes ahead of time and freezing them can help ease your state of mind during the day of the party. Many dishes can be prepared and frozen ahead of time such as appetizers and desserts. Cheese canapes, meat/cheese pinwheels, and many dips can be prepared days before your dinner party along with tiramisu, cookies, or pies for dessert. With only the main course to worry about, you’ll ensure that you have time to enjoy appetizers and chit chat with your guests rather than being tied to the kitchen and fretting over each course being served on time. A dinner party’s happy hostess who is involved with her guests, is just as important as the meal being served!
You may have a spotless house and a gourmet meal to offer, but nothing can impress a guest more than a feeling of welcome in your home. Whether guests are visiting for dinner or overnight, a thoughtful hostess will ensure that her guests feel like their company is truly appreciated. A smiling face, welcoming attitude, and perhaps a small gift at each place setting all impress upon your guests that they are special, creating an unforgettable night for everyone. The concept of hospitality goes far beyond serving the perfect meal, so put on your happy face, make your guests feel special, and above all…have fun yourself!
Halloween Help for Moms
Guest Blog by Maria of BlueSuitMom.com
What’s not to love about Halloween? OK, the sugar rush in a wrapper and costume choices might turn some of us into ghouls. But the decorations, change in weather and celebrations make Halloween the much-anticipated kickoff of the holiday season. Embrace the fun with these costume and candy tips to make Halloween all treats, no tricks!
Costume choices. Options for children and adults are far different from years ago when the closet produced enough of a wardrobe for a costume. Children have a dazzling array of choices, especially from online stores like Just Kid Costumes (http://justkidcostumes.com). Adorable outfits in well-organized categories make this store an easy choice.
Sneaking Candy. No, this is not about skimming off your favorite chocolate bar or candy corns off the top of the pile. To keep candy consumption under control, have plastic storage bags ready when sorting the Halloween night haul. Bag up an assortment of candy in several bags, marked with each child’s name, and store in the freezer for treats spread out over the holidays.
Baking Supplies on Hand. Many popular candy items double as great baking supplies. Holiday goodies made with M&Ms, Snickers, Heath bars and more can be pulled out of the Halloween bags and stashed away for a few weeks until the holiday baking starts. Separate these treats and you’ll save time and money when you’re baking for the holidays.
It’s hard to believe Halloween is almost here, which means the holidays are right behind them. Enjoy the festivities and have fun!
Halloween Candy For Sale!
Halloween is one of my kids’ favorite holidays, however there is a lot of planning to do for it: finding or making costumes, decorating the front lawn cemetery, and putting giant spider webs on trees. This year the twins are going as cheerleaders. One will be a traditional college cheerleader, and the other a vampire cheerleader (still not quite sure what that is but I have bought fangs and blood). Where we live is one of the best places to trick or treat so people come from everywhere. You have to have a minimum of 600 pieces of candy ready at the door. So you can imagine the amount of candy that the girls get – it is truly insane!! The next day my husband and I have the girls trade candy with each other (which takes a good hour). Then they set up a big candy store with price tags for each piece of candy (another 2-3 hours.). Once everything is set up my husband and I go shopping and buy back (with lots of bargaining) all the candy so they have money to buy something they would really like! It’s a win-win for everyone! The only downfall is my husband and I end up eating all the candy (Almond Joy is my personal favorite).
Here’s to another year of no cavities! What are some of your Halloween traditions?
Happy Halloween!
Barb
Should Parents Dress Up on Halloween?
My husband and I have dressed up every Halloween with our kids and we love it! However, when we’re out trick or treating, we have gotten some looks from other parents who clearly would never consider dressing up. I don’t care what anyone else thinks! My kids love this tradition. If my kids didn’t like it, I am sure we wouldn’t do it, but we all have the best time. Why not get in the spirit with your kids? Why not get to “play” a little with them? You may even find that taking the time to dress up puts you in a really fun mood! Dress up and have fun! There will come a time when our kids are too old for trick or treating, so live it up now!
What are you and your kids dressing up as for Halloween?
Jen
