
Join Totsy for an extra special Twitter Party! We will be giving away amazing Disney Princess prizes (including one GRAND PRIZE), talking all about the Disney Princess sale on Totsy and dishing out some trivia & fun facts about our favorite Disney Princess characters!
DATE: Tuesday, 5/22
TIME: 2-3PM ET
HOST: Totsy Mom Committee member, Kristin Cooper
HASHTAG: #totsyparty
FOLLOW: @totsyfan @disneyliving @couponin2disney @mytotsy
Just this afternoon, I was home with the girls for lunch and decided to clean out the fridge and make our own pizzas! I figured I could get them to eat some veggies and a healthy grain crust. For fun we decided to top it all off with cheese and salami!

Here’s what you’ll need:
Instructions:
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When I was working on Anna’s changing table transformation last week, I had this ingenious idea {if I do say so myself!} I have quite the collection of reusable shopping bags, but my favorites are the huge bags from TJ Maxx. They have the cutest patterns and colors, and for only 99 cents each, I can’t leave the store without a new one :)

The best part is, you just leave the bag handle as it is and it becomes the top {neck} strap for your apron! I continued to cut down to include the bottom piece of the bag to make the apron longer. It still wasn’t quite as long as I wanted, so I added a few rows of ruffles. Then I just sewed on 2 pieces of ribbon for my ties.
For Anna’s, I used a little apron she already has as the pattern, and cut it out {using the top edge of the bag as the top of the apron}. I left the sides unfinished because the material is plastic-coated and doesn’t fray!
I added some pom poms and ribbon for her trim, and then re-attached the “handle” for her straps on top. I also used velrco to make it adjustable around the neck. Look at it on my baby…. Oh my cute!

These were SO quick and easy to make! The most time-consuming part was adding the ruffles and trim, but those are not even necessary… they would still be super cute without it. And they are great for kids because the material is totally wipeable! I am so excited to make more! $1 for 2 aprons — how can you beat that? Wouldn’t they make cute gifts?
About:

We are sisters and best friends, living 462 miles apart. We only get to see each other a few times a year, so in the meantime, we share everything on our blog: My Sister’s Suitcase. We feature Home Decor, Printables, Upcycling, Kids Crafts, Seasonal projects, and more.
We hope you’ll join us in our LDCR {long-distance crafting relationship}. Follow us onFacebook, Twitter, or Pinterest for more tutorials and original ideas!
Nat & Holly
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Most of us are lucky if we get a few solid hours of sleep a night. Why all the tossing and turning though? Your nightly habits may be what’s causing it. Allure suggests breaking these bad habits so you can get a good night’s rest!
Television
Watching television before you go to bed causes your body to think its not time for bed yet!

Lights
Lights off! Any amount of light can disturb melatonin levels, which help you sleep! Shut the lights and turn those digital clocks away from you!

Clocks
Speaking of digital clocks, avoid them while trying to sleep. By looking at the clock before bed and when you wake up in the middle of the night, you will just become anxious. Turn the digital clock away from you-the lack of light also helps!

Caffeine
Whether it’s coffee, tea or soda, caffeine stays in your system a lot longer than you may think. Try avoiding caffeine eight hours before bed-yes that’s right, EIGHT!

Tight Pajamas
Skip the super tight pj’s and try slinky (which can also be sexy!). Tight pajamas interferes with circadian rhythms causing your melatonin levels to decrease and body temperature to increase! This will cause a bad nights sleep!

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Terrariums have always fascinated me so when I came across this project on Pinterest, naturally, I had to share with all you Totsy fans. A terrarium is “a small enclosure or closed lid container in which selected living plants and sometimes small land animals (lizards, turtles, etc) are kept and observed”*. It’s like a piece of the forest on your desktop! Here’s an easy terrarium project that will make the perfect centerpiece for your coffee table or office desk sans live animals though. Get the kids involved and teach them about the environment!

You’ll Need:
Step-by-Step
Be sure to water your plants several times a week!
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Images and instructions courtesy of http://brittanyanddylan.blogspot.com
*thefreedictionary.com
Sometimes you just want pizza. BUT, you don’t want the fat and high sodium that may come with takeout pizza. So what do you do? Make your own of course! I love this recipe because of the grilled crust. This makes the perfect dinner served up with some chilled white wine. Thanks to marthastewart.com for the inspiration.

You’ll Need:
Step-by-Step
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Last weekend while visiting family up North, I had the chance to indulge in one of my favorite frosty beverages, the Ginger Basil Limeade. My family drank these around the pool at our reunion, the perfect drink to please a parched motley crew including an alcohol-averse grandma, a pregnant cousin and a toddler. Perhaps any of you that are crazy enough to be hosting a Mother’s Day brunch might enjoy whipping up a batch for your guests?!? For a quick how-to, check out my first video for our Totsy TV YouTube Channel. Countless varieties of this drink abound, so if you have a special version you’d like to share, please do so in the comments.
Ginger Basil Limeade

Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us here at Totsy!
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Mother’s Day is just days away and instead of spending a ton of money on a gift, try making something that comes from the heart. Nothing says appreciation more than a gift that you put both time and effort into. Have the kids try these sweet and simple gifts that will be perfect for moms, aunts, grandmothers and sisters!
Mother’s Day Bouquet

This craft from The Trendy Treehouse will help you make a special bouquet of flowers that will last forever! All you need for this adorable craft is paper, paint, paintbrushes and hands! Paint those little hands with any colors for the flowers. Use a paintbrush for the stems and bow!
Mother’s Day Flap Book

Wayward Girls Craftsgives a new spin to your average Mother’s Day card! All you need is paper, stapler and markers!
Instructions:
1. Cut 4 strips of paper of the same size.
2. Layer the paper in a stack, but stagger each layer.
3. Fold the stack in half and staple it so all the papers are attached.
4. Write words or draw pictures on each one!
Long Distance Hug

Tons Of Fun has the perfect gift for that special someone who is far away! Give a hug in a unique, fun and special way! All you need for this craft is paper, paint and ribbon! Paint those little hands and make two handprints. Cut them out and attach a single piece of ribbon so they are connected. Send a hug!
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Ever wonder how celeb mommies always look great when spotted out and about with their kids? Well you can too! Just follow these simple fashion tips from parenting.com!
Oversized Sunglasses-perfect for hiding tired eyes!

Easy Up Dos-try a sleek ponytail or messy bun if your in a hurry. They can look just as chic as blow drying your hair (which can take forever!).

Fashionable Hats- do you have a serious case of bedhead? Throw on fedora, knit beret, floppy hat- anything you like! It’s fashionable and hides that unkempt hair!

The Mom Bag- the mom bag is the most important accessory for any mom on the go! All because it’s a mom bag doesn’t mean it has to be ugly. Get an oversized, hobo bag that can fit all your essentials. Fringe is super cute right now!

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The results are in from Totsy’s Earth Week Sweepstakes! On April 20th, we asked our readers:
“What little things do you do with your little ones, to make the world a greener place?”
We were touched by the thoughtful (and creative!) responses, ranging from unique twists on up cycling, to family-style park cleanups and classroom education. Environmental protection is one of the great challenges we face, and it’s clear that Totsy moms are rising to that challenge by creating change where is matters most- at home. The first 3 responses will receive a prize pack from our wonderful friends at iPlay, Bumkins Organics, Wear Your Intention & Full Circle. Totsy is also donating $100 to Texas Discovery Gardens, our grand prize winner’s favorite environmental non-profit organization. Thank you to everyone who submitted, we share your passion in creating a better world for the wee ones we love most.

Top 5 Answers:
1. We give our plastic bags to someone who uses them to crochet sleeping mats for homeless people, and we recycle our other plastic and cans.- Diana
2. My husband, my children and I go for a walk every other evening after dinner, and always each take a bag to collect trash that we see along our walk. We’ve turned it into a game, who ever picks up the most trash gets a special treat when we get home. -Veronica
3. We love to compost! When we eat our meals all our food scraps get put into our compost bucket which we use for our garden! - Jaime
4. I teach my daughter that almost everything can be recycled into something else. We use plastic bottles for planters; and egg cartons for paint trays. We also like to take a few minutes when we visit parks to pay it forward to mother earth and pick up some trash that has blown around. Every day is a new lesson in being friendly to our environment. - Amber
5. I plant native flowers in my yard as well as add things that will attract butterflies, bird, and bees. I like to keep my yard very nature-friendly. - Jacky

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Mother’s Day is this Sunday and we have nothing but love and respect for our moms, grandmas and aunts. So instead of the usual flowers, candy and jewelry (which are always nice), why not celebrate a little differently this year. Here are a few ways thanks to momtastic.com.
Just celebrate. No matter what you decide to do with your mom, just show her that she is loved and appreciated. It’s something she will never forget.
Have a happy Mother’s Day from all of us here at Totsy!
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Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow and it’s a huge Mexican celebration!
This weekend I am at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne working. I have the privilege of speaking at the Mom 2.0 Summit in which all the women I admire are attending.
In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, picture me sitting at the Cantana poolside bar at the Ritz sipping my new favorite drink-Spicy Margarita!
Ingredients:
Shake it all up and serve on the rocks with salt on the rim!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! ENJOY!

xo,
Diana
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Sommer Poquette is the blogger behind Green and Clean Mom and author of My Mommy is a Blogger.
5 Edible Blossoms for a Gourmet Salad
When it comes to spring and summer I love a fresh salad, straight from the garden but what many people don’t know is that a salad can be dressed up with edible flowers. Yes, edible flowers! Your vegetable garden, lawn or herb garden might just have some tasty blossoms.

1. Broccoli. The pretty yellow flower of the broccoli is edible and if you pick this and clean it well it’s tasty with your lettuce in a light homemade vinaigrette dressing.
2. Cauliflower and Artichoke. Both actually flowers of the plant have flowering shoots that can be very flavorful when added to your salad and they’ll add some color.
3. Squash Blossom. This vegetable has blossom that often disappears as the vegetable begins to form but if you pick this blossom you’ll find that it tastes scrumptious! If picked when the blossoms are small and washed well they’ll add a sweet surprise to a spinach salad.
4. Dill. This herb is a favorite of mind and if you pick the yellow tops as they appear but before you see seeds and add this to a yogurt dressing you’ll have a crisp and fresh flavor. Delicious!
5. Chives. Chives grow a pretty blue flower and if picked has the flower begins to open and served on a spinach salad you’re ordinary salad will be pretty and have a gourmet taste!
It’s always nice to enjoy a fresh salad grown from your own backyard or in my case our container gardens but knowing that you left nothing to waste makes the salad taste even better. You’ll also impress friends when they come over and you’ve made a fancy salad with the edible blossoms. Growing your own food will not only save you money but you control the environment, soil and you can grow them without harmful pesticides.
Better for you and the environment!
About:

Hi. I’m Sommer and I am a mom, wife & blogger. My online home {sorry if it is messy I try to keep things tidy} is where I share bits and pieces of my life with a hope to inspire, motivate and encourage others to be a little bit greener, just a little bit isn’t too hard. Come on by and say hi!
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If you’ve never celebrate Cinco de Mayo before, we can tell you, it’s a lot of fun! It’s a good way to introduce your kids to Mexican culture. Throw a small at-home fiesta with your family and cook up a Mexican feast, then dress the part. Read more on some tips.

[source: Google image]
Have fun with it! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
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I’m not a big tequila lover but since Cinco de Mayo is coming up, I’ll love it for one day. But sometimes I want to switch it up. In walks the michelada. Think of the michelada as a Cinco de Mayo alternative and a Bloody Mary with beer instead of vodka. It’s a savory, salty and spicy drink and quite satisfying. Give this a try if you’re looking for something different this Cinco de Mayo.
Serves: 1
Time: 10 minutes
You’ll Need:
Step-by-Step:
This goes great with guacamole and chips! Enjoy!
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