Target is a TRAP!

Yes, I confess. Target is a huge weakness of mine. I fall into a horrible trap of spending money that I didn't intend to spend almost every time I go. There's something about the cute containers of random stuff for $1 as soon as you walk in that just put me into shopping for a bargain mode. Often times, I walk in to get chicken for dinner, and walk out with pillows, a new pair of heels, a dress and/or skirt, cute picture frames and a scented candle... then get home and realize I forgot the chicken!

Well, the genius people at Target have found a new way to suck a minimum of 1 hour out of me at my next shopping adventure there... Phillip Lim for Target! As a working woman, I think I've naturally developed the unavoidable habit of always looking for work clothes. Usually, I'll take my online coupons to New York & Company on a busy Saturday, or scour the clearance racks of the career wear sections at TJ Maxx and Loehman's. Target is my other favorite shopping stop. I can always find something cute, colorful and at a great price. Phillip Lim for Target has clean lines, warm colors for the fall and great fits for the office. Take a look at some of my favorites! And the big whopper.... Everything pictured is under $100!!! See you at Target! I'll be the one in the checkout aisle with a blazer, peplum top, a pack of chicken and a sack of potatoes...

Follow Me on Pinterest!

Hey y'all! If you haven't checked me out on Pinterest, make sure to put that on your to-do list stat! I pin lots of great things, that usually become inspiration of this blog. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Sienna Taylor (thepaintedface) on Pinterest:

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Breakfast on the Go

Here's a great recipe I whipped up a little while back. I did these little cups of greatness on a Sunday, and froze them. I had breakfast (which I usually don't get unless it's microwaveable or from Starbuck's) for the entire week! No bad, unhealthy fast-food, and no spending money during the week... MOMMY SCORE! Check it out!

Breakfast on the Go Recipe

FYI - I used the Evernote Food app to document this recipe. Great app for recipes you conjure up and want to remember for later.

Behavior Charts - Reward System for Kids

What an awesome find!

So, I was browsing Pinterest looking for a behavior chart for Mekhi. Now that school is back in session, we'd like to implement a more structured behavior system at home. Nothing crazy going on, but we've noticed that he responds very well to rewards.

This site is a free source of all types of printables for kids. From chore charts to behavior charts to routine schedules, there's hundreds of options to track and reward your kids. I had to share! I plan to put up a bulletin board in Mekhi's room where he can track his behavior, work off a routine list for morning and evening, and view a weekly calendar of important events for the week. The Dollar Tree in my neighborhood has everything I need to set it up. I'm be posting that as soon as it's done.

In the meantime, here's an example of an awesome reward chart from the site:



Behavior Charts - Reward System for Kids - Parenting | Kid Pointz:

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Athena

Meet Athena! She's the newest addition to our crazy little group of goofballs :-)

We rescued Athena, and she couldn't have been more of a perfect pooch. Her previous owner had super bad allergies and couldn't take care of her any longer. Poor guy! Nonetheless, it must've been heart wrenching for him to do because she is just ADORABLE!! Mekhi, our 5yr old, now has the little sister he's been patiently asking for!

Me-Time Makeup

For a long time, I have always been fascinated with makeup. When I was in high school and college, I always experimented and dabbled in these av ant guard and drag-queenish looks. I've always been a makeup artist at heart, having done my share of weddings, photo shoots and editorial work. Now that I'm a working mother, I find myself opting for more subtle, professional and most of all, quick-to-apply looks. As a busy mom, my thought has always been that I can still have time to make myself look presentable and somewhat pretty.

Most moms are morning people... I'm not always one of those. The thought of waking up and putting on a full face of makeup in the morning can seem like a daunting task. Over the years, I've learned to change my ideology about my beautification sessions.

Putting on makeup in the morning is now my "Me-Time". No one is awake, no one is asking for breakfast and no one is reminding me of bills that need to be paid that day. It's quiet, still, and the only time of day that I truly have to myself. So, this "Me-Time" is my time to do a quick 15 minute makeover and rejuvenate that sassy, pretty girl in college that could pull a few phone numbers by lunch time :-)

Here's my beauty regimen:

1. 5 Minutes - Base
• Apply foundation and powder all over face. I like to use a cream-based foundation and finish with a mineralizing powder. It covers everything, but doesn't look "caked-on". It also lasts through morning meetings, client lunches and after-school activities.
2. 3 Minutes - Conceal & Set
• Next to the Bible, my iPhone and my son's classroom calendar, my concealer is the most dependable item in my purse. Concealer is essential for undereye coverup and eyebrow shaping (which can take YEARS off your face, even between waxings! I'll have a video up soon with step-by-step instructions).
• Use a Blotting Powder or matte setting powder to set the concealer, and eliminate any shine.
3. 7 Minutes - Draw & Color
• The last step to my beautiful makeover is eyes, cheeks and lips....although I usually wait on the gloss until I kiss my boyfriend goodbye for the day (he loves me, but not my lipgloss). 
• I use a felt tip eyeliner because it's fool-proof and easy to apply. Then I apply mascara. Stay away from water-proof! Unless you're a synchronize swimmer, you don't need it!
• Blush always brightens and calms the face. Blush is ALWAYS necessary. A simple pink, no matter what you skin tone, will work.
• I work in a progressive office, so I can get away with a bold rep lip some days. However, if you need to be more subtle, use a simple lip gloss. It completes and puts together the whole look.

And there you have it! 15 minutes to looking like you tried, and all signs of being a zombie because you were up for 4 hours with a sick baby are erased! Give yourself "Me-Time" wherever you can fit it in. You deserve it!

Stay tuned to the blog! I'll be listing a very Oprah-esque product list of My Favorite Things - The Makeup Edition very soon!!!

CPK Weeknight Refurb

One of my 5yr old's favorite meals is pizza. My favorite meals are the ones that don't take more than 30-45 minutes to prepare. So, in true Momphoria fashion, here is my recipe for a California Pizza Kitchen classic that kids love, and can easily be prepared ahead of time.

BBQ Chicken Pizza is a great choice for a weeknight meal when time (and energy) are at a minimum. Good thing is, you probably have most of the ingredients already on hand. You'll need:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and cook in 1 tbsp on olive oil on medium heat until browned on both sides and cooked completely through. Remove and place on a plate to rest.
3. Graciously dust pizza dough (which I get pre-made in the fridge at Publix in the bakery section) with flour, and roll out to your desired size.
4. Spread a thin coating of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce on pizza dough. I have used several different types of BBQ sauce for this recipe, and have found that this brand works best.
5. Layer a healthy heaping of mozzarella cheese over BBQ sauce.
6. Chop up the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and layer over the cheese.
7. Chop thin slices of red onion, and layer over chicken.
8. Spray cookie sheet or pizza stone with cooking spray, and place pizza on it. Bake in oven for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is completely melted.
9. Garnish with chopped cilantro (totally mandatory), and let cool.
10. Slice and serve!

Now, I suggest pre-prepping these ingredients ahead of time. You can easily cook and chop the chicken, slice the red onion and chop the cilantro on the weekend, then assemble and bake during the week.

Here is your finished product!

If you're REALLY into quick and easy, you can totally assemble this pizza, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze it until you're ready to bake later on. It tastes the same, and will save you precious weeknight time.

This classic CPK refurb is paired beautifully with a Pinot Grigio or sweet Riesling.

This is one of my son's faves, so I know if my picky eater loves it, so will yours. Try it out, and let me know how it goes for you and your family! Bon Appetit!