Clever Girls Collective Archives

Be it So Resolved

January 2, 2013 By Adrienne Van Houten 5 Comments

Did you make a New Year’s resolution? I did, and I’m planning to stick to my goals with a little help from participating products in the Buy 5 Save $5 sale taking place December 30-January 12 at the Kroger Co. Family of Stores. Thanks to P&G and Kroger for sponsoring this post!

2012 is the first year I kept my new year resolutions. It was also the first time I made a realistic resolution. I resolved 3 things.

First to stop playing Farmville, Cafeville and any other Ville games on face book. They had taken over my time and concentration. Part of that melded in to resolve number two, to make a “living” off of this blog. I had been underemployed for many years and this little blog had been an outlet for my feelings and thoughts. But I resolved to make it an income generator even if it meant I lost some readers. Between the advertisers on the sidebars, the pay per posts and guest posts and yes the endless reviews, I was able to survive the year (along with two other income sources).

My third resolve was one I had almost given up on until, it was to get back to the 9-5 world of working. Lo and behold, come September and I am now a member of the working class once again.

For 2013 I am at a loss what to resolve. I am afraid to jinx karma because it was good to me this year. Maybe I need to take a year off and just relish in what I have received thus far.

If you are making a resolution (psst…here comes the paid for part), might I suggest you utilize the 5 for $5 sale at your local Kroger Brand store? All you have to do is buy 5 (or more) products from the list below and you will save $5, Really, it is that easy. If I had to pick one bundle to go with a resolution (and I do, because it is part of the sponsor’s requirements), I would pick the “Take Care of my Body” bundle. Who doesn’t need to take better care of themselves? I think my bundle would include Olay Bar and/or Body Wash (my mom used Oil of Olay for as long as I can remember, it is the one scent {okay Salt and Vinegar chips are the other} that really reminds me of her), Kellog’s Special K (wow this is getting creepy, that was mom’s favorite cereal whenever we would travel), Charmin Freshness (because we need to take care of ALL parts of our body), Always pads (ahem) and finally the Frito-Lay variety pack (what? the bags are small!).

Tell me in the comments what would be your bundle.

Shop and play to win with the Buy 5 Save $5 sale taking place December 30-January 12 at the Kroger Co. Family of Stores! Automatically save $5 at checkout when you use your Shopper’s Card, just by buying 5 participating products. In addition, you can play this quick and easy online game for a chance to win up to $15 off your entire trip.

I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.

Filed Under: Blog

Every Day is a Dessert Kind of Day

May 31, 2012 By Adrienne Van Houten 2 Comments

Thank you COOL WHIP for sponsoring this post. Join us on Facebook for inspiration and recipes for everyday treats. What you add makes it. #coolwhipmoms

I have been watching the twins every day 5 days a week for almost 2 months (maybe only 1 month but it feels like a year). They have a pretty set routine while they are here.

7:30 Arrive and turn on Wild Kratts

8:00 remember they are at Grandma’s house where snacks are plentiful and decide they are hungry

8:30 finish their “breakfast” and decide on a snack from the drawer, usually dried fruit or a squeezie yogurt.

9:00 Sit completely still and watch Super Why with intermittent running up to the tv to point to a letter (I will never be able to get all of the finger prints off the screen).

9:30 Beg to go to the park

10:00 finally convince me to take them to the park (One day last week they didn’t want to go and I had to convince them LOL).

10:30 – 11:30 Play at the park with intermittent running back to the picnic table to see what snacks grandma packed for them.

12:00 home and lunch

12:30 – 2:30 NAP TIME! YAAAAAAAY!

2:30 Madilyn is usually standing with the refrigerator door open looking for what berries are in there. usually there are only strawberries, but recently I received Blueberries and blackberries in my farm box so I gave them some. Madilyn liked them all and easily settles in to enjoy her afternoon dessert. Matthew not so much. What was this foreign food I was putting on his plate? Where were his normal sliced up strawberries? Who moved his cheese?! Grandma to the rescue with a dollop of COOL WHIP whipped topping and he now thinks blackberries are the best thing in the world!

Before

After

4:00 Grandma’s nerves end up on the frazzled side and I threaten to set the kids on the curb and hope someone who loves them will pick them up – SOON!

5:00 They are rescued from the clutches of grandma with the promise of all of this happening again tomorrow. Maybe not the COOL WHIP part because it is quite possible grandma has now eaten all of it straight from the tub.

Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that we are pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

Filed Under: Blog, Kitchen

Holiday Comforts

December 12, 2011 By Adrienne Van Houten Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.

One of my earliest memories of my childhood is sitting around the Christmas tree singing carols with my family.

Singing has always been a big part of my family, we never differentiated from those who can and those who can’t. Everyone was always encouraged to sing loud and proud.

Participation in the St. Gabriel’s church choir was a given. Especially during the holiday season. Mom even had a solo during the Hallelujiah Chorus one year.

There is no discrimination in our choral singing. Even the athiests in our family enjoy the old fashioned religious tunes. O Holy Night is a huge favorite amongst us all. My sister Erika has a clock that sings a different carol on the hour every hour. I do believe that clock stays up year round. She even went so far as to record an entire cd of different artists and versions of O Holy Night. It is one of my favorite cd’s this time of year.

But the best version is the one sung by Kathy and Mom, it brings me to tears every time I hear it. If you click on the link you can hear it as well.

O Holy Night

When I was a school secretary I had all of my music loaded on my computer and I would start playing carols on November 1st. it would drive my principal crazy, but she never told me to turn it off. Christmas music has a way of soothing everyone’s tempers I think.

The part that is the hardest to remember is when mom was in the hospital, she wanted to hear Erika sing. Although Erika was willing to stay 24 hours if that would help mom, we were able to play her Christmas cd (EZ Christmas) with all of mom’s favorite carols sung by Erika. I replay those days over and over in my head especially this time of year.

There will be a million memories generated and associated with Christmas Carols throughout my lifetime, but nothing beats all of us gathered around the tree, some sitting on the floor, some on the footstool and all singing. That one brings me the most comfort.

Comfort is the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday gift list, so be sure to take advantage of Tempur-Pedic’s Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective

Filed Under: Blog

Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt

September 1, 2011 By Adrienne Van Houten 1 Comment

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own.

For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

blah blah blah, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s discuss this sudden fascination with yogurt.

Yogurt has been around for a million years. Heck in some parts of the world, Pakistan for one, yogurt is a staple. It is used as a summer refreshing drink, as a side dish for a meal or as a filler to an entree. When Taj and I first moved in together he always had a LARGE container of plain yogurt in the fridge and didn’t understand why I wasn’t even willing to try it. He had no idea who Mr. Rogers was or why I visited his neighborhood so often, heh cultural differences LOL.

Y’all saw me take my first ever taste of yogurt last week and this week I tried Greek Yogurt. What’s the difference? Hell if I know. I guess the Greek version is “healthier” for you. My friend Sylvia (yes, we are friends again, but one more remark about me being old and it is OVER!) is diabetic (as is Taj) and she uses yogurt as one of her carb options for the day. According to her the Greek is a lower carb option than the regular. I trust her medical expertise, I mean she worked in a health office for the school district for goodness sake, snort.

But seriously folks (now that’s a cheesy line), here are some fun facts about Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt:

Dannon® Oikos® is created through an authentic Greek straining process which gives it a rich and creamy-thick texture.
Dannon® Oikos® Plain and Fruit on the Bottom contains 0% fat, while the Dannon® Oikos® traditional blended varieties contains about 3% fat. Both are an excellent source of protein, twice that of most regular lowfat yogurts.
Dannon® Oikos® 0% varieties contain active yogurt cultures and range from 80 calories (Plain) to 130 calories (Fruit on the Bottom) per 5.3 oz. cup.

Notice they don’t mention the carbs? Yes something may be less fat or even no fat, but that doesn’t make it healthy per se. If I don’t put butter on a baked potato it is theoretically fat free, but full of carbs ergo, still not really good for me.

So really it is a crap shoot. It all comes back to “everything in moderation”. Yes, eating yogurt is going to be 1-2 carb points for the day, which is a much better choice than that candy bar you’ve been thinking about.

By the way, I tried the Vanilla flavor, meh. I really wish it would have blown me off of my feet. Of course I don’t think even Irene could blow me off my feet. Back to the gym!

I have partnered with Dannon to help promote the Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt Series. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about the promotion and product. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. (Good thing huh?)

Filed Under: Blog, Gym, Reviews

How to Have a Spago Summer on a Subway Budget

July 17, 2011 By Adrienne Van Houten Leave a Comment

Thanks to SUBWAY® restaurants for sponsoring my post about summer fun with my kids. Check out the Kids Eat Free program at any LA area location! Just purchase any two subs, two sides and two drinks, and you can get a kid’s meal FREE!

It is summertime! The kids are home from school and BORED, of course you can think of plenty for them to do, the windows, the floors, the toilets to name a few. But they want to have FUN they want to be entertained by YOU.

I was glad my kids went to Year Round schools, they were in

Matthew and Madilyn

school for 3 months and then home for 1 month. It was perfect, they retained more and I only had to entertain them for 30 days. Easy peasy.

In Los Angeles (as I am sure in other parts of the world as well), it isn’t easy to entertain kids on a budget, but here are a few gems that are low on cost and high on fun.

Natural History Museum: Come check out the extraordinary Dinosaur Hall, visit halls of habitat dioramas full of animals from all over the world, watch creepy crawlers in the Insect Zoo, and let your kids explore with hands on learning in the Discovery Center.

Location: 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-DINO

Hours: 9:30am-5:00pm daily

Admission: children 4 and under (FREE), Children 5-12 ($5), Youth 13-17 ($8), Adults ($12)

California Science Center: Learn about how things work in this massive museum, including the complicated ecosystems, human inventions, and how animals survive. Almost the entire museum is hands on, so you won’t be saying “Don’t touch that,” to your little ones.

Location: Exposition Park, 39th Street & Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037

Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm daily

Admission: FREE

Amy’s Playground: This indoor playground has everything to get your child running, jumping, playing, and imagining. Enjoy special days of music, arts and crafts, and dress-up, as well as an onsite hair salon and toy boutique.

Location: 1115 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 (626) 799-0304

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00am-6:00pm, Fri 10:00am-5:00pm

Admission: Kids under 2 ($7), Kids 2 and up ($9), Additional siblings ($7), Parents (FREE)

Los Angeles Zoo: With the completion of the Pachyderm Forest, visitors can now see three elephants in a larger than life exhibit. From birds to mammals, the Los Angeles Zoo is a great place for the kids to explore and learn about wildlife.

Location: The zoo is located at the northeast corner of Griffith Park, where the I-5 and 134 freeways meet.

Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm

Admission: Children under 2 (FREE), Children 2-12 ($9), Adults ($14)

Griffith Park Pony Rides: Whether your kids are beginners or happen to have a love for speed, there is a level to suit their needs. Choose the walk-around ponies, where you can move along side your kiddies as they ride, or send them off alone on the trails and watch them trot. Don’t miss the Griffith Park train.

Location: 4400 Crystal Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Hours: March-August 10:00am-4:30pm (closed Mondays), Sept-Feb 10am-4pm

Admission: $3 per ride

Descanso Gardens: Come explore 160 acres of gardens, woodlands, and chaparral, observe wildlife, relax in the Japanese gardens, and visit the numerous ponds full of beautiful Koi. Perfect for getting into nature and running free.

Location: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm daily

Admission: Children under 5 (FREE), Children 5-12 ($3), Adult ($8)

Kidspace Children’s Museum: Learn and discover with an outdoor/indoor museum, completely hands on and absolutely educational. Climb and crawl, ride a bike, or splash in the water, there is nothing your kids won’t be able to do. Your kids will learn everything from insects to earthquakes!

Location: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd. Pasadena CA 91103

Hours: (June, July, Aug) Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:00pm, Sat & Sun 10:00am-5:00pm (Sept-May) same except closed on Mondays.

Admission: 12 months and under (FREE), General ($10)

Griffith Park Observatory: Teach your kids all about the planets and stars at the iconic Observatory, where all there is to know about astronomy lies inside. Peer at the stars, weigh yourself on Venus, and explore the entire universe.

Location: 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles CA 90027

Hours: Wed-Fri noon-10:00pm, Sat & Sun 10:00am-10:00pm

Admission: FREE

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Twizzle Me This (adrienneshouse.com)
Last Week of School (ezynda.blogspot.com)
Monte Carlo (adrienneshouse.com)

Filed Under: Blog

Short Shorts

March 9, 2011 By Adrienne Van Houten 3 Comments

Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

When I was little, whether it was to save money or just because, my mom used to cut my hair. I do not have easy hair to cut. I have VERY curly, very unruly, very odd hair. Needless to say it can be a bit difficult to cut this head of hair into something that looks decent. Most times I ended up looking like this. No, that is not a boy, that is me in Kindergarten.

Throughout my childhood, my hair has always been a contention. From twirling it into knots and having it break and be uneven, to being a lice magnet whenever someone in the neighborhood got it, so did I. I didn’t even have to go in their house, it just came and found me.

I was never a girly girl, so I never learned how to blow dry or style my hair and even now at 43 I still don’t know how. I eventually let it grow out so that it became so thick and heavy that you couldn’t see any of the curls but the frizz was beyond the beyond.

In 2008, a friend of a friend offered to cut my hair. I became intrigued and terrified at the same time. She wanted free reign, she wanted to make it short. I remembered short hair, I remembered the “pixie” cut from my mom.

I let her do it. She cut and cut and cut and cut (I had not had it cut in many years before that) and I LOVED IT! I still had a bit of an issue with the curls, but I could tame them with a simple cute headband. It was easy to manage, simple brushing, and a breeze to wash.

I have worn it this way ever since.

Recently, there was a bit of a set back. I was due for a hair cut around the beginning of the year. I have been sick and didn’t go, and didn’t go and didn’t go. Now in March I finally went but I went somewhere new. Dumb ass. I was feeling good after a doctors appointment, relaxed in the chair, told her I wanted it short, closed my eyes and this is what happened. Sometimes trying something new is good, sometimes, not so much.

Filed Under: Blog

The Fab Five

January 25, 2011 By Adrienne Van Houten 4 Comments

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend’s wish!

This isn’t the first time I have told you about special bloggers. But let me elaborate on 5 specific special people.

It all started with my sister Erika. When she got pregnant she was living far away from all of us and in order to help us be a part of her pregnancy, she started a Blog. None of us knew what a blog was, but we were very happy to have it. Every day she posted about her health and progress. When J was born she posted a picture every single day for his first 6 years. Note to Erika, you have been slacking lately. Because of her initiative, everyone in our family – my mom, myself , my two other sisters, my uncles, cousins, my kids – started blogs as well. Some are still going strong and some have petered out. But none the less we have been more in touch than other families. It was through my mother’s blog that we kept the extended family up to date on her illness and even her memorial service.

Erika introduced me to Casey’s blog. Such beautiful pictures of her daughter, funny stories and honesty that blew me away. She has taught me through blogging to take that risk, dance that dance and just live life because you are alive.

Casey introduced me to Twitter. And that changed my world.

Through Twitter I met Erin. I have introduced you to Erin before. Long before Lupus started taking it’s toll on her, she was a driving force on twitter during the 2008 election. She was chosen to do a live interview with President Obama. I was in awe to know someone of her “stature”, and then I realized she was just like me, a mom struggling everyday to make things all fall in to place.

Erin introduced me to BlogHer, and my world exploded.

I have met so many fabulous bloggers via the BlogHer conferences it would be impossible to name them all here. But two in particular had a huge impact on my blogging life.

Sue Bob taught me that it wasn’t the size of your blog that mattered but the size of your self. I almost didn’t attend that first (to me) conference in San Francisco because I thought I was such small potatoes. Sue Bob interjected immediately with a Pshaw! When she offered to take my picture with her infamous Red Stapler, I was honored and over joyed.

When I did decide to attend that first BlogHer conference I was stuck with no roommate and no way to pay for a room by myself. From the outreach of Twitter (again) Karoli offered me a bed in her room. Without knowing squat about me, but knowing that which I offered of myself in my blog, she trusted that I would not be a deranged fool. She spent that conference not only attending sessions and parties but soaking in the city and sharing it with her readers through her beautiful photography.

There are so many people in my life who have touched me in so many ways, some I notice now and some I will realize later on.

To these 5 Fabulous Bloggers I say thank you for touching me. Now I have to go wash my hands.

Don’t forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend’s wish. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses
Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Filed Under: Blog

Small Business Saturday

November 22, 2010 By Adrienne Van Houten 4 Comments

Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now Small Business Saturday.

With the onslaught of Cyber Monday (and a downturn in the economy, wut?) Black Friday just isn’t what it used to be.

Speaking of a downturn in the economy, that brings the thought of Small Business Saturday to the heart of the solution. Remember the adage “Charity Begins at Home”? Why not try that with your Mom and Pop stores in your neighborhood? How many of those stores will close in the next year? How many may have a fighting chance to survive if you and your neighbors do your Holiday shopping with them instead of the Big Box Stores?

I changed gears a little this week myself. When ordering a cake for Caitlyn’s birthday I started with the big Grocery store up the road. Disatisfied with the service and selection, I vowed to go to a local bakery. We have so many in our neighborhood, I can’t believe I have never stepped foot in any of them.

I ended up at Paradise Bakery and I am so glad I did. Not only was the service better but it was personal because I actually knew the person behind the counter. Granted the price was a bit higher, but in the end it was worth it, to help them and to get what I wanted.

It isn’t often that I order specialty cakes (I prefer baking them myself usually), but if I ever do, I will go back there again.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective (link to http://www. clevergirlscollective.com), which endorses Blog With Integrity (link to http://blogwithintegrity. com ), as I do.