Neon Be

for the love of all things pretty

Archives for August 2017

The Fall Style Guide For Kids

Neon Be

There are so many reasons why Fall is one of my favorite season’s, the weather, Halloween movies, and the fall fashions to name a few!

Something about the rich colors and chunky fabrics that make me excited for our fall wardrobe! I wanted to share some adorable kids fall styles that are sure to get you excited about the fall season too!

Fall is all about layering and Wilshire and Cooper has done a great job offering these cute pieces that can be paired with different looks so it’s easy to mix and match! Dresses in fall are always a good idea, I love how they style with thick knit tights and boots, this makes wearing a dress more appropriate for the chilly weather.

I am all about unique kids fashions and these styles from Wilshire and Cooper make for the perfect fall wardrobe additions for your little ones! I love how they incorporate unique prints and textures to their designer selections which make these pieces unique and they are sure to make a statement for all those fun fall festivities!

Wilshire and Coopers new fall collection is the perfect mix of on trend styles for children, I love the browns and grays and how they take it a step further by adding the pops of color and how they incorporate rich textures like tweed and faux fur. Nowadays kids parents like create looks for their kids by accessorizing with hats, glasses, ties, head bands etc. They hit it on the nose this fall with this adorable tan beret hat, chunky sole shoes and ray ban style glasses.

Moody Print Crop Top, Dress

They even have items I wish came in my size! I absolutely love the adorable silhouettes each piece carries and how your little one can easily express their unique style with these great Fall trends!

Blue Coat

Our babies style is just as important, and Wilshire and Cooper doesn’t disappoint with their selection of SOOKIbaby’s adorable printed play suits and soft and cozy hooded bear blankets. With price points averaging at $29.95 for this adorable Aussie line, you can rest assured you’ll have other parents wondering where you shop!

Hooded Blanket, Oh Deer Snapsuit

This is 30, Thirty Things I Would Tell My Younger Self

Neon Be

Now That I am 30 it’s easy to look back on things and come many realizations on how all these years have led me up to now. There are so many things I wish I had known in my younger years that I am just now grasping myself.

I wanted to compile a sort of a list of things I wish my younger self would have known.

  1. Don’t slow down, be as active as I was when I was younger.
  2. Body Lotion is your BFF
  3. You’ll be wishing you hadn’t taken your credit health lightly
  4. Take care of your feet
  5. It’s never too early to worry about anti aging
  6. SPF all day every day
  7. You’ll love yourself more now than ever before
  8. Enjoy sleeping in when the opportunity arises
  9. Maybe think twice about eating muffins for breakfast
  10. Never think twice about traveling, if the opportunity is there take it!
  11. Coffee Press is the way to go
  12. You’re a mom, but motherhood doesn’t define you
  13. Skin care is as important as breathing
  14. Start saving early
  15. Never stop dreaming
  16. Always look back on the excitement and how fun it was meeting your spouse
  17. Don’t worry you will know exactly who you are by now
  18. You will love home decor more than handbags (if you know me this is huge I used to be a total handbag junkie!)
  19. Don’t compare yourself to yourself 10 years ago
  20. Believe them when they say losing weight is harder with age
  21. Don’t lose sight of your passion
  22. Embrace style changes
  23. Learn to love things about yourself that you didn’t before
  24. Don’t be afraid of color
  25. Splurge on that nice piece of furniture
  26. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to put yourself first sometimes
  27. Learn to cook family dishes
  28. Don’t be afraid to be in photos!
  29. Your never too old to buy good make up
  30. For goodness sake, stop doubting yourself you’ve made it this far!

 

Back to School Meal Ideas For The Busy Mom

Neon Be

Thanks to Revolution Foods for sponsoring this post! Please know all opinions are my own and I only share with you what I truly believe in and love!

It can be hard for families to adjust to the back to school schedule, especially around meal time. I know for my family its mornings and evenings that are the busiest for us and often it can be challenging to fit in a good meal along with everything else going on. I am not ashamed to admit there are some nights I haven’t even had the chance to think about our dinner!

Being a busy mom is no easy task by any means and I can totally relate! Here are a few things I like to keep in mind when it comes to staying on top of meal times for my family:

  • Meal Plan
  • Offer A Variety Through Out The Week
  • Breakfast and Dinner Are Both Of Equal Importance
  • Multi Task
  • Easy Is Key For Those Busy Days

Revolution Foods offers a great assortment of meals that you can easily make by just adding protein! This makes meal time a lot smoother and less stressful when it comes to figuring out what’s for dinner or breakfast with their delicious breakfast options!

Family friendly meal options are always the best, Revolution Foods offers meals parents and kids will love! The key to keeping your family happy at meal time is offering a delicious variety! With Revolution Foods Meal kits I know that the ingredients that go into each meal I can trust, as they do not contain any artificial flavors. It’s also amazing that dinner for the whole family can take as little as 30 minutes to make!

With the time I save on cooking dinner and the delicious options Revolution Foods offers, It has quickly made its way as a pantry staple. The box itself is a little cook book with visual and text guidance, which I find super helpful!

I was amazed how simple yet full of flavor and delicious their Fiesta Taco meal kit was! There was enough in one kit to feed all four of us and have left overs for my son’s lunch the next day! From prep to plate it only took me about 40 minutes! My husband and kids were happy not having to wait forever for their meal.

What’s great about these meals is that you can customize each plate to everyone’s taste by adding veggies and sauces so it’s ideal for those who have picky eaters in their households like mine! It’s well worth all the smiles and the time we save trying to figure out what’s for dinner!

Revolution Foods is the perfect addition to any family pantry offering breakfast, dinner and yummy lunch bundles (even moms can enjoy these with out the guilt!) Now that you have peaked into my meal time routine and tips I would love to know how you ‘Hero’ at meal time with your family? What tips and tricks have you found useful?

To top off all this greatness they are currently running a giveaway for a months supply of Revolution Foods! Click here to enter!

 

 

10 Creative Ways To Throw The Best Summer Birthday Party

Neon Be

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM3

More than half of my families birthdays are in the summer months, and being in Arizona it’s almost impossible to throw an outdoor birthday party. The key word here is “almost” impossible. In order to make this more possible and fun, I have curated a list of my ten favorite summer birthday ideas!

If you’re like me you don’t always want to go out and spend $$$ on indoor venues for that fun summer birthday party. There are plenty of ways to save your money and still throw a great birthday party. I love saving money for special moments like these with my family. We are big on using Walmart Family Mobile $49.88 TRULY Unlimited Plan which is powered by T mobile, TRULY Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data. My favorite aspect of Walmart Family Mobile is that you aren’t required to sign a contract and you avoid all those annoying activation fees!

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing

 

Like any summer your best bet of enjoying anytime under the sun would be to include water! It’s refreshing, fun and it’s a sure way to win over any party guests!

Pool Games

If you have access to a pool, take advantage and create neat games for your guest to play while swimming! Here are a few ideas that have been a success with kids during pool parties! PS Always remember to take safety precautions when in or near a pool! Don’t forget your life jackets for those younger ones!

  • Scavenger Hunt- Toss in some heavy items that are sure to sink and which ever team gathers the most of the items on their list wins!
  • Jousting on Pool floaties- two against each other, each played straddles their floaties with using a pool noodle to try and knock down their friendly opponent!

There are so many great kid friendly and adult pool games that will elevate your pool party status and make the party a hit!

Fruit Games

What better way to stay refreshed out doors during summer than fresh fruit! There are some cute and creative ways to incorporate fruit into games like watermelon eating contest, or bobbing for peaches!

Ice Cream Bar

If you have enough room in your freezer, You should stock up on a variety of different ice creams and create a fun Ice Cream Bar serving station. It would be fun to offer a variety of toppings and sauces too!

Water Gun Fun

I’d like to think this could be fun for all ages especially if you’re enjoying the outdoors in summer. My theory is as long as your wet or have water near by to spray or jump in you can enjoy being outside! I would recommend placing buckets of Ice water around with little water guns for your guest!

Sponge Ball

If you guys haven’t heard of a sponge ball, it’s basically a sponge cut into strips and then held together by a rubber band or string to create a ball shape. It’s great to have a bunch of these placed in a bucket of water and have for guests to surprise their friends with a splat of water! You can even get creative with this and incorporate these balls into a game like tag!

Sleep Overs

If the weather doesn’t permit for outdoor fun because let’s face it sometimes it just too hot out. Sleep overs can make a great alternative to a birthday party. You can still incorporate games and snacks so it still have that Birthday Party feel kids love so much.

Indoor Movie

This is often our biggest hit as our family loves movies! With Walmart Family Mobile $49.88 PLUS Plan will receive a free VUDU◊ movie rental credit valued at $7.00 each time they renew their service. VUDU◊ offers a great selection of movie titles and there is always somthing for everyone.

Water Balloons

There is a endless amount of games you can do with water balloons here are a few of my favorites!

  • Spoon and water balloon race
  • Water balloon baseball
  • Free for all water balloon fight
  • Water balloon basket catch
  • Water balloon pinata

Slip and Slides

This is an easy way to transform a back yard into a water wonderland!

Summer Afternoons/Evenings Are Best!

I’m sure we can all agree during the summer, its best to avoid peak sun time. With kids out of school usually its not as big of an issue throwing a later birthday party.

 

Summers are made for creating memories and enjoying the kids on their summer breaks. I do what I can to save through out the year for our summer vactions and birthday parties. Thanks to Walmarts best pricing in a no contract wireless plan with the $49.88 PLUS Plan from Walmart Family Mobile, powered by T-Mobile. I can put more money to things that matter while still having a great phone and coverage!

Want a summer full of savings?! Be sure to head over to your local Walmart and check out Walmarts Family Mobile great selection on phones like this super sleek and easy to use LG L59 Grace! How will you celebrate this summer? I would love to hear your cool summer birthday party ideas!

 

*Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.

†To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

◊Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent. May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU’s website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fried Fish Tacos

Neon Be

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SoftsoapTouch  #OurCaringHands  #CollectiveBias

 

Every now and then we get homesick and miss our family back in California. I know it must be harder for my husband since his parents live out there and he only has me and my immediate family out here in Arizona. I like to try and bring a little bit of home here to him by recreating dishes he so enjoyed back home!

 

What better way to bring that good ol’ California cooking to AZ than with one of my Mother in Law’s Fish Taco recipes!

 

We absolutely love our fish and this recipe couldn’t be more delicious and fun to make! We started by heading to our local Target and picking up all of our essentials. Anticipating a mess I knew I would need to stock up on some essentials like SoftSoap® Hand Wash Plus Lotion™ which I found in the aisle that carried body soaps and hand soap!

We decided to fry up some shrimp, along with some Tilapia fish and have some tacos. As you can see the ingredients used are simple!

In California, it’s common to have a lot of seafood, it definitely brings back those memories of helping my in-laws cook up a feast! I wanted to involve my husband and my son in joining me in the kitchen where we weren’t just cooking a meal but enjoying each other’s company.

You want to start off by thawing out the fish in cold running water, this thaws the fish fairly quickly.

You also want to make sure to prep the fish if necessary by cutting it down the middle to make smaller strips, This makes it easier to consume in a taco.

Once your oil is hot enough for frying you can start by dipping your fish strip into the batter and evenly coating then placing in the hot oil.

I highly recommend in between dipping each fish strip, as this can get very messy! SoftSoap® Hand Wash Plus Lotion left my hands feeling clean and soft! My hands tend to get dry and irritated after continuous washes and with the SoftSoap® Hand Wash Plus Lotion, my hands were left feeling hydrated! It is the only hand wash made with a touch of lotion.

You want your fish to be a golden brown before pulling it out of the oil. To make sure you get an evenly fried and cooked fish you have to turn them over after a minute or two.

Once Jude saw us dipping the fish he was eager to get in on the “dipping the fish in batter” action. He was too afraid to touch the shrimp so his job was battering the tilapia for us. He kept referring to the batter as “goo” but once it started to thicken and dry on his hands he wanted nothing more to do with it!

SoftSoap® Hand Wash Plus Lotion to the rescue! Jude couldn’t help but notice the amazing smell of Shea and Cocoa butter!

This is the cream we use for the fish, It’s super simple and we don’t really measure it out but base it on how it tastes.

  • Mexican Crema
  • Mayo
  • A bit of sour cream
  • a couple squirts of lime
  • paprika
  • salt to taste


Save Print
Fried Fish Tacos
Author: 
Recipe type: Tacos
Cuisine: Seafood
Serves: 4-6
 
Fried Fish Tacos
Ingredients
  • Fish of choice, Tilapia used
  • 2 Cups of flour
  • 2¾ cups of water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbls baking powder
  • 1 Tbls of mustard
  • 1 Tbls of powdered chicken bouillon
  • A dash of paprika optional
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Tortillas
  • Limes
Instructions
  1. Thaw fish under cold water
  2. Preheat cooking oil for frying
  3. Mix egg and water
  4. Pour mixed egg mixture, baking powder, mustard, chicken bouillon, into blender/food processor, gradually mix in flour
  5. Mix until liquefied into a semi thick consistency
  6. Pour batter into bowl big enough for submerging fish
  7. Fry until golden brown and Enjoy!
  8. Note: This can be used with most anything we also fried some shrimp

Once you have finished frying your fish you are ready to prepare your tortillas and table. This recipe is something we always look forward to having, it’s made with a lot of love, and brings us the feeling of being with our family in California.

Nothing is more rewarding than knowing my family enjoyed a meal we prepped and cooked together, especially if it turned out just like his mama’s cooking!

My Solo Road Trip With The Kids

Neon Be

I headed to California a couple weeks ago, just myself and the boys. My husband’s work schedule didn’t allow for the time off and we had a family event to attend so I decided to be brave and go! I must say it was a lot of pre planning on my end to ensure the actual 5-hour drive there wouldn’t be a complete failure.

I made sure to pack snacks for both boys, extra water to fill sippy cups and even purchased two iPad holders for the back seats for some on the road entertainment. I purchased the Ipad holders on Amazon, and they were actually rather inexpensive for the convenience and saved me from some possible on the road melt downs.

If you guys haven’t taken advantage of Netflix’s download and watch on the go feature you are missing out! I made sure to down load some of their favorites before hitting the road and it was a huge relief. Jude was such a huge help being the extra pair of hands I needed. It was really neat to see him take such good care of his little brother. It’s moments like these that moms live for!

 

I will suggest a couple things, just in case you ever find yourself on a long road trip with your kids:

  • Carry the snacks up front with you for easy access- Since Eli is too young to properly eat a snack out of a baggie I brought along a snack cup to fill as needed.
  • reusable water bottles
  • trash bags
  • wipes
  • chargers for devices
  • Plan fun pit stops

I can’t imagine having gone on this trip with out making some stops on the way. We decided to stop in Palm Springs on our way home from California. The boys loved getting off and walking around the Dino Park located just outside of Palm Springs. We got to capture some pretty neat photos and step into this really neat Dino land.

I drove into Palm Springs for a lunch break and some shopping before hitting the road for the final stretch home. If you’ve never been to Palm Springs I highly suggest eating at Blaze Pizza located in downtown Palm Springs.

It is near a lot of local shopping and other attractions, I wish we had the chance to spend the day there! I found some great deal at the West Elm adjacent to Blaze Pizza. Before taking off we were able to enjoy yummy ice cream and have our last “potty break” before hitting the road back home.

This plan worked out perfectly, the boys were tired enough to nap more than half the way home which left me at peace while making our way back to AZ.

Although we missed Israel and wished he had been with us to share these memories, I loved making these memories with my boys! This trip was so different than our previous trips. I made the plans, I drove the whole time and I cared for my babies with no breaks. As tiring as it sounds it was an amazing adventure I am sure I will never forget.

 

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