Amy Michelle

Now that summer has officially kicked off, bring on the picnics, pool days and barbecues! You might even be going to a BBQ this Memorial Day weekend, so here are some tips on what will make you stand out and be the talk of the party – in a good way!

1. Prints and Color  As long as it isn’t white, any bold color such as red or royal blue is great for a barbecue. Or try going for a classic summer print, such as chevron or stripes. That way, if you spill BBQ sauce (we’ve all been there) it is less likely to be noticed!

2. Flat shoes  Avoid sinking into the grass with pointy heels or stilettos and go for flat-surfaced shoes. Wedges are perfectly paired with a summer dress or maxi dress/skirt. If you are wearing shorts, dress it up with a pair of sandals instead of boring flip flops.

3. Comfortable Clothing  Take into consideration that you will be moving around a lot to get food, a drink, or do a fun activity, and wear clothing that won’t restrict you. Opt for a flowy dress or skirt rather than a skin-tight dress or denim skirt. Leave the jeans behind for some bermuda shorts or capris.

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SodaStream turns ordinary tap water into carbonated water in just 30 seconds! SodaStream not only gives you fresh homemade soda, but lets you help the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottles.

SodaStream comes in a variety of different styles with an even larger variety of flavors, such as cola, cream soda, orange mango and even diet soda! It is small and easy to use, so you can keep it on your counter without being noticed or simply store it away.

We love SodaStream because it can be used again and again by kids or adults for up to two years, making it a great investment.

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What do you get when you mix the materials lying around your house with a kid full of energy? Snake bubbles! Here is a fun and easy way to make them using just 5 materials on a perfect summer day!

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Materials:

- 1 empty plastic bottle

- 1 rubber band

- 1 terry cloth or wash cloth

- liquid dish soap

- water

How To Make It: 

Cut off the bottom of the empty plastic bottle. Using the bottom of the bottle, trace an outline of it onto the terry cloth and leave about an inch of overlap. Cut out the traced circle and attach it to the end of the plastic bottle using the rubber band. Dip the end into a mixture of liquid dish soap and water (2 parts soap, 1 part water). Blow away!

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After a massive tornado hit near Oklahoma City on Monday, killing at least two dozen people, many celebrities went to Twitter to offer their condolences.

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Oklahoma natives Toby Keith and Carrie Underwood reacted with understanding.

“My heart and prayers go to those that have lost so much. But Moore is strong and we will persevere. God be with you all,” Keith said.

“Growing up in tornado alley, you always know what could happen. It doesn’t change how devastating it is when something does happen,” Underwood tweeted.

Ellen DeGeneres said, “I just want to send my love to anyone who lives in the path of these storms. First Texas, now Oklahoma. You’re all in our thoughts.”

Many more singers and actors responded to the tragedy, such as Alicia Keys, Kristen Bell, Blake Shelton, Neil Patrick Harris, Shakira, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Others showed their support by promoting a $10 donation to American Red Cross in wake of the disaster. If you would like to donate, go to redcross.org.

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Although it usually only makes an appearance during the fall or for Thanksgiving, pumpkin can make your mouth water year round. Take these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for example, perfect for a weekend breakfast with the family!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (180 ml) solid packed, canned pumpkin puree

1 cup (175 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place rack in the middle of the oven. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray each cup with a non stick vegetable spray.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground spices, and salt. 

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and pumpkin puree, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.Fold in the chocolate chips.   

Fill the muffin cups evenly with the batter using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Place in the oven and bake for about 18 -20 minutes, or until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Makes 12 regular-sized muffins.

Note: The batter can be baked in a 9-inch (23 cm) loaf pan. Butter or spray the loaf pan with a non stick vegetable spray. Bake the loaf in a 350 degree F (177 degree C) oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

See the full recipe here: Joy of Baking

Bright and daring lips are a huge trend this season! Here are some ways to do it without over-doing it:

Be Classic

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A red lip is and always will be a classic. To make a bold statement, wear red lipstick with a simple color, such as black or white. If you are a little afraid of the color’s boldness, understate the look with a print so that the eye isn’t immediately drawn to your lips. Tip: Never wear red with red!

Make It Pop

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Add a pop of color to an outfit with an unexpected color, such as bright or hot pink! These lip colors go best with a different colored top or dress, such as blue or yellow. Think of it as color blocking, but using your lips as an accessory. Tip: Have fun with a pink lipstick!

Play It Up

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When done right, lipstick can also be used to play up an outfit. For instance, if you have a retro polka-dotted dress don’t be afraid to pair it with a bright red lip to play up the decade! Or if you have a darker outfit on, pair it with a deep red to play up the vampy and mysterious style. Tip: Think simple and fun, yet sophisticated!

This week, we are loving The Voice’s Judith Hill and the Swon brothers! Judith Hill has an interesting past as a backup singer for the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson. Zach and Colton Swon, on the other hand, provide a unique experience singing country as the first duo to be on the show. Both made it to the Top 10 and our ears couldn’t be happier!

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 We are also loving this red-orange nail polish color by OPI called “Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It” which is subtle yet daring!

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Simply Lemonade with Blueberry is the perfect drink to cool off with during the summer! It is refreshing and sweet, without tasting too sugary. Definitely a must-try!

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Get your son or daughter’s creative juices flowing with these adorable and kid-friendly frames, perfect for hanging in any child’s room. The only materials you need are an unpainted wooden frame, a giant wooden letter, scrapbooking paper, and your imagination!

The Frame 

To decorate the frame, pick any color of paint and tell your child to paint away! You can also use stamps to add detail to the frame by creating a border or additional shapes.

The Letter

You can purchase a giant wooden letter matching the first letter of your child’s name at any Michael’s or JoAnn’s near you. Decorating the letter is also at the mercy of you and your child’s imagination! You can paint any design on it, from polka dots to stripes to stars. If you don’t want to use paint, you can cut any scrapbook paper to glue on top of the letter. Attach the letter to the back of the frame with super glue!

The Background

For the background of the frame, you will also use scrapbook paper of your choosing and simply tape or glue it to the back of the frame. It’s really that easy!

Any additional decorations are completely up to you and your child, such as stickers, bows, etc.! As the for the finished product, hang it in your son or daughter’s room as a reminder of how special and unique they are, just like this DIY frame!

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Is it just a slow news week for the media or is the female-empowerment singer really going to be a mother again?

Shortly after Mother’s Day weekend, rumors swirled that Beyoncé Carter was pregnant again, making her first child Blue Ivy a soon-to-be big sis.

Although there have been no confirmations yet from either Mr. or Mrs. Carter, there have been numerous recent hints to the big news.

First, Beyoncé spent almost $1,000 on chicken wings and other miscellaneous snacks at a Dublin restaurant that signal standard pregnancy-cravings.

On Tuesday, Beyoncé was forced to cancel her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in Antwerp, Belgium due to dehydration and exhaustion, according to her rep.

Both incidents raised eyebrows and spurred hope that another child would be born into fame this year, including those of Kate Middleton, Kim Kardashian and Jenna-Dewan Tatum, just to name a few.

Whether the rumors are true or not, Beyoncé has talked about wanting more children in the future.

If you ask me, another beautiful and fierce Carter baby is definitely not a bad thing, especially if she uses an AM tote!

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This turned out to be a really nice, quick dinner.  Serve over rice or couscous to soak up all of the juices and sauce.  The chicken is marinated for a few hours and then seared.  The marinade is reserved and then boiled and served as a sauce.  If you don’t like the idea of using the marinade as a sauce you can either double it and reserve half before adding the chicken or you can  serve it without the sauce.  

serves 4, prep 10 minutes, marinade up to 2 hours, cook 15 min, adapted from Fine Cooking, Winter 2006

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp oil
• zest of 1 lime
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• pinch cayenne
• 1 small fresh hot chili, such as Thai or Serrano, minced (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Fresh limes, cut into wedges

1. Trim fat from chicken breasts.  Starting on thick side of the breasts slice the chicken breasts almost in half, then open each like a book.
2. Place each open breast between two pieces of plastic wrap, wax paper or inside a large, open, Ziploc bag.
3. Using a small heavy pan, bottle or smooth meat mallet lightly pound out each breast into even thickness.
4. Mix all remaining ingredients except fresh cilantro and limes.
5. Add chicken and marinade to a large bowl or ziploc bag and chill in the refrigerator for up to two hours.
6. Your chicken doesn’t take long to cook so you can use this time to get your dishes prepped and ready.
7. Once you are ready to cook the chicken, remove each breast from the marinade.
8. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a rolling boil.  Boil continuously for at least 2 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
9. In a heavy skillet or grill pan, heat a splash of oil over high heat.
10. Cook the chicken in batches to prevent over crowding the pan.
11. Place the breasts in the hot pan and cook without turning for a couple minutes
12. Flip the breasts over and cook until the other side is golden, it shouldn’t take long depending on the thickness of your chicken.
13. Place cooked breasts on a plate in a warm oven or under foil while cooking the remaining chicken.
14. Sprinkle with fresh lime juice and cilantro. Serve with sauce on the side.

If you typically have these ingredients on hand this is a quick, cheap main dish to throw together.  It would be delicious on the grill or as kabobs as well.

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