Fun with Pumpkins

Hey there!

I've been having fun getting the house ready for fall and stumbled across a great idea on Pinterest (of course) using craft pumpkins. I like to use them so I can enjoy our fun creations year after year. They are currently 40% off at Michaels and they have a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. 

My daughter and I bought some scrapbook paper, cut out shapes, and then used Mod-podge to glue the paper on the pumpkin (I chose the gloss version of Mod-podge which gives it a nice look). We then purchased Sharpie oil-based paint pens, also from Michaels (approx $3.99 each), and wrote our name, initials, messages, etc. on the pumpkins. We even added some nice bows to a few of them. I'd like to try using some fun tissue paper next and might use this as an idea for a "fall" teacher gift. The possibilities are endless!  

I hope this easy, quick craft inspires you to have a beautiful fall!

Fab Fall Getaways

Summer is about to come to a close, but the weather and scenery will soon be great for travel and weekend getaways with the family.  Here are three of my favorite fall destinations, all within a few hours drive from Chesterfield:

• Charlottesville:  Carter Mountain Apple Orchard/Monticello.  Every weekend in October is the Apple Harvest Festival at Carter Mountain.  Enjoy great fall views, crisp apples, music, food, and of course the to-die-for apple cider doughnuts.  If you have not been to Monticello in a while, stop by for a tour. They added an interactive visitor's center in 2009, and a cool "behind the scenes" tour that allows you to go to some private rooms not on on the general tour. Oh and while you're in the area, why not stop by the new Trump Winery?  You may catch a glimpse of the Donald himself.
• Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.  This festival has so much to offer:  crafters, wine tastings, sand sculture contests, and the list goes on.  See http://www.neptunefestival.com/events/venue/neptune-festival-events  for a complete listing of events and dates.  We went last year for the boardwalk weekend and loved all the cool crafts, good food, and the fireworks were among the best we've ever seen!  Also, pets are allowed!
• Centreville, VA:  Cox Farms.  This is hands down, the BEST pumpkin patch I have ever visited.  It is a drive, but well worth it.   There's great food, great slides and petting farms for the kids, a not-so-scary haunted hayride, ziplines, and much more.  It's almost like spending the day at an amusement park; there's so much to do!  Check it out at www.coxfarms.com.

What are your favorite fall getaways????

-Rhonda

Captured in Clay

Some of you may already know of the heartwarming, super special sentiments that are "Captured in Clay" made by local Chesterfield artist, Stacey Funk. For those of you that don't, you'll soon be a fan!

Stacey captures your child's, or loved one's, fingerprints in metal clay and transforms them into beautiful pieces of jewelry and special keepsakes. They make amazing gifts for someone special or for yourself. In addition to Stacey's clay work, she also creates beautiful hand painted ceramic plates using hand and footprints and other personal touches.

If you've seen your friends with beautiful silver pendants adorned with their babes prints, it's definitely Stacey's work. Her work is one of a kind and cherished forever.

Check out Stacey's website and treat yourself to a precious keepsake you'll forever hold close to your heart.
http://www.getcapturedinclay.com 
stacey@getcapturedinclay.com

BB Creams, Your new BFF?

BB creams (Beauty Balms) are the latest buzz in skincare. If you haven't heard of them yet, don't fret. They originated in Germany before making their way to Asia and are slowly making themselves known stateside. BB Cream is basically a "do it all" product in one cream. It's used for sun protection, hydration, acts as a primer, smooths skin, softens fine lines and wrinkles, covers up blemishes and imperfections, and evens out skin tone and brightens it!! Holy fabulous-ness! Another great component is that it is tinted, many available in multiple shades. 

There are plenty to choose from, the key is finding which one works best for you. I'm a "New Beauty" girl & religiously follow their advice on my beauty products. But if you don't want to pay for the online subscription or magazine, go online to http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/best-bb-creams and check out Total Beauty's recommendations. They're not quite as sold on them as New Beauty but when you read the comments from the recommendations, they sound pretty darn good to me! I think I'm personally going to try Diorsnow, $50 available at Nordstrom.     

Krispy Kreme Celebrates 75th Birthday w/Freebies!!

After dropping our daughter off at the Childrens Museum for summer camp this morning, my husband & I decided to treat our son to a Krispy Kreme doughnut on W Broad St. As expected, he was in heaven from the moment his teeth hit the warm, squishy awesomeness that is...Krispy Kreme!!

The sweet gal behind the counter informed us that this Friday, July 13th, is Krispy Kreme's 75th birthday. To celebrate, they are giving a 2nd dozen of glazed doughnuts for $.75 when you purchase a dozen. I just might swing by again after I drop off at camp. In fact, if anyone wants me to grab some for you...just let me know since I'll be out there!

Krispy Kreme, 4910 W Broad St, Richmond VA 23230

Hot Light Hours 6-11AM, 6-11PM (or closing)

Cool Summer Fun on the Cheapside: $1 Movies

This is one of my favorite summer deals. Each summer Regal cinemas offers second-run movies, previously free, now $1 with the money going to the Will Rogers Institute.   The movies are Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 am.  You can find the schedule at:

http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx?zip=23112#COMMONWEALTH CENTER STADIUM 20 & IM

Big screen, AC, popcorn...We'll definitely see you there!

~Rhonda

Birthday Party for the Gamers

Want a super-easy party that your videogame-loving kids will LOVE?  Tryout the GameTruck!  The original GameTruck mobile video game theater is a complete party that is brought to you.  A trailer will pull up in your driveway and accommodate up to 16 players at once.  They have 60+ games ranging from E to MA.  A Game Coach is on board at all times to manage the party.  You can literally sit and relax during this party! The mobile theater has (4) flat screen tv’s, (4) Wii's, (4) Xbox 360s, (2) PS3s, onboard generator, heat and AC.  You can also have electronic invitations and access to their Event Manager site.  So far they boast a  98% customer satisfaction rating, and an A- Better Business Bureau accreditation rating.   GameTruck can be rented for a minimum of two hours.  Parties are priced as follows: Mon - Thurs: $285/ 2 hours; $85 for each additional hour Fri - Sun: $320/ 2 hours; $100 for each additional hour.  

We have been to one party so far and have it booked for July.  My boys LOVED the Skylander tournament.  My younger son won and got a special prize bag!  Will update our experience when we rent it ourselves next month!  Stay tuned! 

For more information, see  http://www.gametruckparty.com/

~Rhonda

Body Wraps, Do They Work?

I'm always up for a short cut to weight loss. I admit- I HATE to put forth the effort required for real hard work that sheds pounds. So naturally my ears perked up when I heard about these thigh & belly wraps. My husband won't allow me to purchase one but I'm hoping someone out there will try one and let us know how it works:)

For those of you that haven't heard of them, there are many kinds of wraps made by several manufacturers that promote size and weight loss in days by wearing a band around a targeted area. Some bands say only ten minutes a day is needed to lose inches around your waist, others recommend wearing the bands during your exercise routine to increase your weight loss. Whatever the case, it's my understanding the band is designed to shed only water weight and it will come back quickly. But I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. What if you have a big dinner to attend and you've been dying to get back into that red dress? This could be just the thing to help you look great for the special event. 

Here's a link to the wrap I saw on late-night TV. I think you can even find it at Walmart in the "as seen on TV" section.

www.tummytuckbelt.com  

Got Lice? Got Help!

Yes, you read the title correctly...we're talking about the pesky little nuisance, lice. Unfortunately lice do not discriminate who's beautiful head of hair they decide to invade, but at least there is help in our area if you're faced with a problem. 

Paula Downs, a hairstylist in the Chester area (she's fabulous, btw), offers assistance with the removal of lice. She'll treat the poor little sweetheart that is infected and painstakingly comb for hours to remove every last bug (or whatever you call it). Paula will also make sure that you do your part as a parent, too. She'll provide you with a cleaning checklist of "must do's" at home to ensure the lice do not return. Paula will also guarantee her services!

Paula is very discreet and confidential. Give Paula a call if you find yourself in trouble! 

Paula Downs (804) 439-9557