Valentines Ideas

Marshmallow hearts & Hot Coco

It is time to start planning for Valentines. Can't wait to do some fun crafts with the kiddos.

These darling Valentine Ideas are all found on Martha Stewart. 

I heart breakfast, so this year, I think I'll do these cute heart shaped pancakes.

For our wedding, we received a heart shaped ceramic pan.  For the the last 8 years, I have made heart-shaped brownies for Valentines....

It is now tradition.

Emmerson Made Valentines

I love the designs from Emerson Made. 

They now have darling flowers for Valentines!

And I just love the big poppy flowers!

GIVEAWAY RESULTS

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Giveaways are fun! So, to all those who did not win.....let's do another one!

Stay tuned and I'll announce another giveaway courtesy of All Modern. 

For now, the winner of the beautiful orange scarf and amazing book: Half The Sky is.................

Monica!

Favorite Hair Products

Now, to reveal my favorite hair styling products....

Recently, someone recommended to me CHI products. 

I have and love my CHI flat iron, but had never tried their products.

I'm so glad I followed the recommendation, because I love their products! 

So, after I towel dry my hair, I work through with Silk Infusion. Then, I blow dry and if I feel like I need a little more silk infusion to help with frizz, I'll work a little more in. 

Then, I spray the Iron Guard on before I flat iron.  This helps protect from heat damage. 

 

After I straighten or curl, I then use d:fi D:struct Pliable Molding Creme - to help the side bangs stay to the side and help manage and shape the ends.  I have a lot of hair, but it is fine, so it needs some direction and shaping. You may or may not need to use this product. 

I love this product for all of my son's hair and my husband uses this as well. 

It has a great smell, not to sticky, but shapes and lasts great!

My favorite hair spray I mentioned in a post before.

 

Now for those no-wash days, I can't live without Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo! 

Spray this at roots, shape again with blow dryer, and it is almost better than the wash day.

I cannot recommend a root spray yet. 

I have tried so many, but I'm not in love yet.

So, if any of you have a recommendation, I'd love one.

Favorite Shampoo & Conditioner

So, after much deliberation,

(yes, I read a lot, talk to many beauticians and sales people at beauty supply stores,

and try different products)

I have come to my top three product hair lines.

I take in consideration these things: how color safe it is, how it smells, how it helps my tangles, body, volume, shine, manageability, how it feels, etc.

I love deals, so I ALWAYS buy when I find a great deal at those beauty supply stores in the mall.

Also, I love to rotate.  So, I rotate through these products, but next I'm going to try Aveda.  My hairdresser loves Aveda products. I really like the way my hair feels and smells after a visit to her,

but for now...these are the top 3.

1.Pureology 

Serious Colour Care &Hydrate

Although very pricey, I only buy when I find a great deal,

but I have been told by many that this is the best product to help retain color!

So, when you spend a lot to have hair lightened or darkened,

it is pretty important to keep that color!

2. Joico KPAK

Love the feel and smell.  This is a new favorite!

3. Redken 

Hair always feels soft and is very easy to manage after using this.

I use a deep conditioner about 2-3 x's a month.  Maybe I should be doing this more...but for now this has worked for me.  Some great products are Purolology Hydracure, Redken Real Control Intense Renewal, and right now I am using Phyto ultra nurishing cream and I love it!

Hair Spray Love: KENRA

Is it weird to love your hairspray?  Seriously!  This is THE best hairspray!  Being the product junkie that I am, I have tried so many different hairsprays!  I found KENRA, and fell in love.  However, I have not been faithful, and have tried others, just for the fun-of-it, but I ALWAYS regret straying..... I always come back to the tried and true product.  Love the smell. Love the hold. Love the last.  I am very confident in saying that it is the best out there!  I always seem to buy it on special at a beauty supply place in the mall.  They always have promotions so it's not too expensive.

Guest Blogger on Or So She Says......

I am a guest blogger on the blog: "Or so she says...." 

I was asked to write about the post I did on The Girl Effect and  Half The Sky. 

Come see me over there!

GIVEAWAY!

Let's kick off the year with a giveaway! Yea! 

How about a 2-part prize! :)

First, the winner will receive the amazing and inspiring book "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." It is a new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, and it will move you, just as it horrifies you. The authors are trying to start a movement to raise the status of women and help end global poverty. They feel the best way to "fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls." 

I received a copy for Christmas and I feel it is so important, I'd like to give a copy to another lucky lady!

IN ADDITION to the book.  

I will also send to you a wonderful ORANGE linen scarf, because right now, on  

a pina colada blog,

I"m lovin' orange and lovin' scarves.  

Good Luck to you all! 

Guidelines: 

*You have up to 3 chances to enter 

(let me know in the comments which enteries you have completed)

1. Leave your name and email in the comment section. (example: Alisa at apinacoladablog@gmail)
2. Tell your friends (through Facebook, Twitter, or your blog) to come on by! Or, post my button on your blog.Then tell me you did (example: Alisa: put button on blog)

3. Become a subscriber (on sidebar), or Follower (link on top bar). (example: Alisa: became a follower)

*giveaway starts today, Jan. 6th,and ends 

Sunday night at midnight, 

CST Jan. 10th,2009

*Winner will be announced Monday morning.  

*Be sure to leave me your email. 

If you'd rather not leave an email because of concerns with spam, shoot me an email telling me you entered so I can contact you easily. 

Orange-you-glad it's a New Year?!?!

Orange makes me happy!

Orange is inspiration, it's joyful, social, cheerful and fun. Orange stimulates the appetite and aids digestion, keeps conversation flowing.....it's really just completely fab !!

Let's all smile to orange....

Green Chair

For some reason this chair just makes me happy.

Fun, bold, and bright...what's not to love?

This could really make a statement in just the right room.

Zoku Quick Pop Maker

Now, where I am currently living it is FREEZING, however, these frozen pops are still looking quite fun.  The idea is you can create your own customized pops, including cream-filled varieties --in as few as seven minutes. All I'm saying is these pops are looking much more appetizing than the normal Otter Pops my kids like. Is that a lemon I see? Kiwi? Ohhhh! Where is the beach right now? Where is the sun? I'm thinking this Zoku Quick Pop Maker would be a fun tradition to add to a family night tradition.

Jonathan Adler Home Decor

I have been such a fun of Jonathan Adlers home decor lately.  Especially the really great vase pictured above! These are just  a few samples of the amazing and unique wallpaper, vases, stoneware, throws, pillows, etc. Don't all of these things just make you go "ahhh! I'd love that in my home!"

Happy New Year!

I can't say 2009 was my best year to date.  We had many challenges, but we were also blessed in many ways.  Noteably, the birth of Baby G. I have much hope for 2010!  I'm excited for a fresh start. There are so many things I'd like to accomplish and change.  I really want to work hard at being more organized, accomplishing more in my day, and being completely present and placing the most value with the time I have with my husband and children. After all, it is the little things and little moments with my children and Mr. D that give me most joy.  I hope 2010 brings us all more joy, hope, and happiness!