If you’re an oldschool Dear Crissy reader—I’m talking 2006-2008 here—you may know that art journaling was a big part of my life, and that I used to create and post a lot of my watercolor and mixed-media art. I even sold quite a bit of my art on eBay for a brief period.

Fast forward through what feels like an ocean of time, and the birth of two kids, and art hasn’t only taken a back-burner in my life, it has all but dissolved completely. I turned to photography as my creative outlet, and turned completely away from painting.

Last week while browsing my friend Karen’s Pinterest, I happened upon a few pins from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer’s blog, and then stumbled onto her Art Journal Every Day weekly linky.

Hello, inspiration. I’ve missed you.

While I can’t commit to an art table with a ton of supplies, and I can’t say that I’ll be art journaling every day, I am definitely inspired to paint again and to create a physical journal, and that feels really good.

What is art journaling?

There really aren’t any rules to art journaling. Grab a blank book and combine art and words to create a sort of visual diary. It’s all about self-expression.

My art journal

I picked up a small Strathmore Visual Journal at my local Hobby Lobby over the weekend, and I love it. Here is my first page.

The quote is an abbreviated version of a fortune I found in the cookie following our Chinese take-out on Saturday. Here’s the full saying, which I found online:

Passion is in all great searches and is necessary to all creative endeavors.—W. Eugene Smith

Do you keep an art journal, or, would you ever consider art journaling?

The post Art Journaling Once Again appeared first on Dear Crissy.

This post is sponsored by Kraft.

One of the best parts of summer gatherings is having the opportunity to share my favorite foods with close friends and family members. That said, as much as I love to cook and bake, sometimes those get-togethers really sneak up on me!

I love turning to my favorite no-bake desserts when I need a quick, easy, and delicious treat, and this no-bake berry smoothie cheesecake is at the top of my list!

No-Bake Berry Smoothie Cheesecake

I am a huge fan of cheesecake, and what I love most about this no-bake dessert, aside from how easy it is to make, is that it is so light and refreshing. This no-bake berry smoothie cheesecake would be perfect for a 4th of July celebration.

The graham cracker crust adds just a little extra sweetness and crunch, and the filling is cool, light, and creamy. This berry smoothie no-bake cheesecake is so refreshing; it’s really perfect for a picnic or family cookout on a summer day.

Sweets are a delicious addition to a balanced diet, but of course, you should remember to be conscious of your portions, even with this lighter-version dessert. This no-bake cheesecake makes enough for 16 yummy servings.

You can use any berries you like for this recipe, too! I chose to use a mixture of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. You could chose one of these berries or any combination.

I love knowing that this recipe includes many lighter-versions of my favorite ingredients, including PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel which has 1/3 less fat than cream cheese, Light COOL WHIP, and Low Fat HONEY MAID Graham Crackers.

This no-bake cheesecake was a huge hit with my entire family (by the taste, you’d never know I used lighter ingredients), and it’s definitely a recipe we’ll be trying again this summer.

The post No-Bake Berry Smoothie Cheesecake appeared first on Dear Crissy.

We’ve been calling her Bossy Betty.

Poor Kara is cutting several molars at once, and that’s amplifying her already intense personality. When she’s sweet, she’s very sweet, and when she’s angry? Look out!

Welcome to Tantrumville!

Do you have any advice for dealing with a teething baby/toddler?

The post Bossy Betty appeared first on Dear Crissy.

What did you give your husband or dad for Father’s Day last year? A card? A tie? A gift certificate?

I’m usually at a complete loss when it comes to buying for the special men in my life, and to be quite honest, I’m almost always looking for Father’s Day gifts at the very last minute—Shhhh—don’t tell my husband or my dad!

Incredible last minute Father’s Day gift ideas

If you’re like me, and you are looking for a truly unique, special, and unforgettable Father’s Day gift, you’re going to love the premise behind a site I was introduced to called Cloud 9 Living.

Cloud 9 Living allows you to purchase experiences for your loved ones. Think golf lessons, a ride in a hot air balloon, or race car driving. You’ve even got time to buy an incredible experience in time for Father’s Day!

What’s special about experience gifts?

Let’s face it, life is short. While a card or traditional gift is nice, there is something truly special about giving the person you love the experience of a lifetime, and letting them try something they may have never otherwise been adventurous enough to attempt.

The memories that we make in life are our most precious treasures, and giving someone the gift of an incredible experience is a decision you won’t regret. I mean, how often can you give someone the gift of learning to fly?

Ferrari experience giveaway!

While writing this post, I mentioned to my husband that Cloud 9 Living was giving away the experience of driving a Ferrari for the day. Let me tell you, his head spun around to face me so fast I thought his neck was going to snap! Apparently the idea of driving a Ferrari is pretty appealing to the man in MY life, so, I’m guessing it’s a universal guy-thing.

Right now you can enter to win a Ferrari experience from Cloud 9 Living that is sure to excite the men in your life, too. You can enter at Cloud 9 Living to win Dad the experience of his dreams!

Happy Father’s day, and if you enter the contest, best luck!

The post Give Dad The Experience of a Lifetime #FathersDay #Sweepstakes appeared first on Dear Crissy.

I can remember my first pregnancy like it was yesterday.

I remember the happiness, the excitement, and the uncertainty that comes with not knowing which car seat, bassinet, or pacifier to purchase. The choices are just completely overwhelming!

Of course, I found myself asking every parent I came in contact with which items I should put on my registry. As an experienced mother of two, I now point my friends who are expecting to an amazingly useful site called weeSpring. At weeSpring, you can find baby product reviews and comparisons written by your friends and trusted reviewers.

Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a Munchkin prize pack or $100 Amazon gift card from weeSpring!

What I love most about weeSpring is their simple and straightforward rating system. You’ll be able to see immediately how many users loved an item, or even if they regret purchasing it.

All parents have their favorite baby items and preferences can vary from mom-to-mom, but weeSpring helps you easily navigate what might seem like a sea of options.

Even though I no longer have an infant, I feel somewhat compelled to rate the baby items on weeSpring. I mean, all mothers-to-be really need to know which bouncer I highly recommend, right? Seriously, though, it’s a great one.

Having a baby is without question an amazing and life-altering experience. That said, it’s also really exhausting—trust me! Oh, how I wish I would have had weeSpring to help take some of the guesswork out of my shopping experience the first time around. It would have saved me so much time and money!

Enter to Win

Two lucky Dear Crissy readers are going to win a prize courtesy of weeSpring! One person will win a $100 Amazon gift card, and a second winner can pick up a Munchkin prize pack valued at $125. US entrants 18+ only. Good luck and thank you!

The post weeSpring — Smart Social Shopping for Parents #Sweepstakes appeared first on Dear Crissy.

It happens within our families, within our social circles, and yes—sometimes between our peers in the workplace. It’s certainly happened to me, as a blogger, and the advice I invariably hear is that I should develop a thicker skin. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been given that advice in my life.

What I’ve come to realize, however, is that I’m okay with my thin skin. I am a very emotional person, and I definitely wear my heart on my sleeve.

I understand that the thick skin advice comes from a good place when given, however, what is wrong with being affected? Furthermore, what’s wrong with admitting to other people that you are affected?

Don’t let anyone tell you that having a “thin skin” is a flaw. Your beautiful and feeling heart is a strength. (Tweet This)

Some of my favorite people have a thin skin, and most of the truly gifted, creative, and innovative people that I’ve met in my life are highly emotional and feeling individuals.

When people criticize me, I feel it. When people are right down rude or insulting to me, I really feel it. I don’t let it keep me down, because I have enough self-worth (at this age) to see ugliness for what it is—but by golly—I’ve got a super thin skin, and I’m not ashamed of that—I’m proud of it.

Have you ever been accused of having a thin skin, or of being too emotional?

The post Why It’s Okay To Have A Thin Skin appeared first on Dear Crissy.

While I actually don’t think these tenders taste JUST like Cracker Barrel’s, I do think they taste… BETTER! Seriously, so, so good. Just look at them!

What I love most about this recipe, is that the chicken tastes like it was grilled!

The flavor is sweet, with just a little tang, and the chicken ends up being so moist and flavorful. You are going to absolutely love this chicken tenders recipe, and it really does make the perfect chicken tenders.

When I made these chicken tenders, I served them with roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes. My entire family loved the meal, and this chicken recipe is definitely going into our regular family meal rotation.

If you love Cracker Barrel’s chicken tenders, or, if you’re just looking for a new way to enjoy chicken, you’ll definitely want to try this recipe for the perfect chicken tenders!

The post Perfect Chicken Tenders Recipe appeared first on Dear Crissy.

I find that I really prefer the texture and flavor of roasted vegetables, and while you may not think broccoli and sweet potatoes sound like a match made in heaven—actually—they are!

Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes: Nutrition

This roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes dish is not only an amazingly-tasty as a side, it’s also super good for you. Any time I can get two superfoods on the same plate for my kids, I consider it a huge win!

As you probably know, sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium.

Of course, broccoli is equally healthy, packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, bone-building vitamin K, and lots of fiber to fill you up and help control your weight.

My recipe for roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes is very basic, because my kids’ prefer their foods easy on the garlic and seasonings, but, keep in mind you can add garlic and your favorite herbs to dress-up the dish—it’s really quite simple and certainly versatile.

Hope you enjoy this tasty roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes recipe!

The post Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes appeared first on Dear Crissy.

Kara.

Who needs words for a photo like this? Love this girl.

The post Wordless Wednesday: Lovie appeared first on Dear Crissy.

How sweet are babies and toddlers? Since you’re not here to answer, I’ll say it for you. They are REALLY, really sweet.

That said, how could something so undeniably sweet get so un-sweet, so fast? Babies truly aren’t protected by a force-field of freshness after a bath, and sometimes it seems like only hours before they need yet another bath, especially when they play as hard as Kara plays. I mean, just look at this kid.

This is summer fun, and this is the glory of childhood!

While a nice warm bath is best to keep babies clean, sometimes, especially when you’re traveling or simply in a hurry, you may not have the time for a tubby.

For instance, I recently took my kids to visit their great-grandmother. I had hoped to have the time to bathe both of them before our visit, but, I only had time to give Evan a bath due to an unforeseen tantrum. Moms, you know how it goes!

When my grandma picked up Kara, she gave her a hug and then said, “I think this kid needs a bath!”

Pretty bad when great-grandma points out your kid stinks, woops!

Now, to keep the kids smelling fresh and clean even when we’re on-the-go, I use Baby Magic’s No-Rinse Wash. Baby Magic No-Rinse Wash is specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin and the self-foaming application allows you to clean your baby without using water. Now you can keep your baby clean even when you are away from home.

Baby Magic No-Rinse Wash is also…

• Alcohol-Free
• Paraben-Free
• Tear-Free
• Dye-Free
• Phthalate-Free
• pH balanced
• Hypoallergenic

Love that! I love how easy it is to apply this no-rinse wash, and the scent is really soft and sweet. I also found that Kara’s skin was smooth and residue-free following use. She really does smell fresh and clean when I use this product!

Magical Madness Mom

It’s been so fun sharing my favorite momhood-moments as a Magical Madness Mom! Baby Magic’s treatment line includes several gentle products for softening and protecting baby’s skin, and I’ve loved testing many of these products, many of them have become new favorites.

Enter to win

Win some Baby Magic No-Rinse wash when you answer the question below! Ends June 15th, 2013.

Dear Moms: tell me about a time when your usually sweet baby was less than fresh-smelling! Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below to be entered to win the Baby Magic products mentioned above.

Get one extra entry for Tweeting this article. Leave a link to your Tweet in a separate comment.

The post Keeping Baby Fresh On-The-Go appeared first on Dear Crissy.