My #PuraVidaParty Bus Experience with Godsmack at the Rockstar UPROAR Festival

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Valentines may be over, but it’s never too late to have a romantic night in! Gourmet Gift Baskets can help with that. Send her the Italian Dinner for Two then let her sit back and watch you cook it…or enjoy cooking it together!
What’s a better way to celebrate your love than with all the ingredients you need for a romantic dinner in? This beautiful basket contains two bottles of wine which will pair perfectly with the dinner of artichoke bruschetta, artisan pasta and zesty Arrabbiata sauce, and authentic imported Italian dessert biscuits. A wonderful gift to celebrate Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, or a “just because I love you” day, this basket will make them fall in love with you all over again.
Contents:
Chianti by Ruffino – 750 ml
Chardonnay Trebbiano by Villa Fassini – 750 ml
Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce by Cucina & Amore – 16.8 oz.
Tuscan Minestrone Soup by Bountiful Pantry – 8 servings
Polenta by Cucina & Amore – 17.6 oz.
Fricelli Organic Pasta by Morella – 1.1 lbs.
Artichoke Bruschetta by Cucina & Amore – 7.9 oz.
Amaretti di Saronno by Lazzaroni – 2.3 oz.
Sun Dried Tomatoes by Cucina & Amore – 7.9 oz.
This gourmet gift basket came with everything we needed to get an Italian dinner for two, night-in rolling! I made fricelli pasta with sun dried tomates topped with parmisan cheese & artichoke bruschetta with parmisan cheese. We enjoyed a little of each wine, and finished with Amaretti di Saronno cookies. Believe me when I say this meal can feed 4! They give you so much delicious food plus 2 wines! All you need to do is pick up some extras (like the cheese) and add some candle light & flowers.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In case you missed the Tonight Show last night, Madonna Takes over! Check out, Jimmy Fallon, Madonna & The Roots’ rendition of “Holiday” with classroom instruments, and Madonna’s performance of “Bitch I’m Madonna” from her new album Rebel Heart below!
I just can’t get enough Jimmy Fallon, then you throw in an icon like Madonna! I’m lovin it!

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Most people think of October as “Pinktober”, but did you know it’s also National Bullying Prevention Month? Bullying is a huge issue in the United States today. October is dedicated to uniting communities and bringing awareness to this problem & now is the perfect time to talk to your children about bullying. Gone are the days when bullying solely consisted of having your lunch money swiped, having a “kick me” sign taped to your back, and being tripped in the hallway. Bullying now goes beyond just school and now extends into the cyber world and even kids so brave as to attack others at their own home..their safe place.
Kathryn Hast has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in writing and a Master’s degree in Education. She is from York, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She has one dog named after a Beatles song, and one that barks at the television. Batty Betty is her second published children’s book, following her previous title Otis Grows.
Follow Kathryn Hast on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Let’s face it – feeling “different” can be scary. It’s true as a kid, and it can even be true as an adult. In a world that seems to encourage us all to look, talk, think, and act the same and is in a constant state of comparison, how can we teach children from a young age that their differences are actually their strengths, not their weaknesses?
It all begins with what we show them and tell them, and a wonderful starting point for this important conversation is the engaging, beautifully illustrated new book Batty Betty by children’s author Kathryn Hast (LuJu Books). What sets this book apart from others in the stack is its storyline – which is purposeful, delightfully whimsical while also tackling tough subjects – as well as its lyrical style. Hast wanted to be sure it was just as fun for both parents and
children to read while illuminating ways to approach and tackle real and often difficult scenarios.
Enter: Abel, the tuba; Eve, the sad banana; and Betty, a giant who dances unapologetically to her own drum. When Abel goes out marching by himself, he finds a sad banana named Eve who has been bullied by local beavers. As it turns out, she’s not alone. The beavers are also out for Betty, who stands out with her towering height and “batty” behavior. Abel sets out to defeat these beavers, but soon discovers it’s not about winning – it’s about finding your own music amidst the ruckus and noise.
“I’m really committed to the notion that kids can read, think, and discuss ideas that might initially seem difficult,” Hast says. “My hope is that Batty Betty offers both entertainment and depth and can serve as a springboard for conversations between parents and children.”
Playful yet touching, Batty Betty explores:
Why it’s not only okay – it’s GREAT – to be different
The best way to stand up to bullies (tune out their noise, find your music!)
Opportunities for parents and kids to begin discussions about tough topics
A unique and surprising style of writing everyone will enjoy reading
And much more!
Bullying stems from the all-too-human need to feel included, approved of, loved. And inasmuch as the last three decades have cultivated awareness, resources, and training, it’s difficult to stomp out why it is that people bully others. We will never eradicate the fact that various children need an extra dose of support, that bullying makes them feel confident. However, we can try to minimize the cues they receive from us, the adults around them.
Bullying is a learned behavior. There are adult bullies of every size and stature, even now in 2017. Perhaps especially now, the rest of us must stretch ourselves, to appear bigger, wiser, and kinder. What follows is a brief list of Dos and Don’ts, coupled with some anecdotal lessons I’ve learned, as I try—like so many others—to shape my own children’s growth.
It’s easy to swoon over how well your own kid writes her name or completes a pirouette. But how often do we reflect on the talents of the other kids in their classroom or neighborhood?
“Boy, Darrian collected a lot of acorns today. He’s a pretty good finder, isn’t he?”
Similar to the previous point, this suggestion leans more toward acknowledging other people’s suffering. And remember: suffering for kids can be bee sting, a tantrum, a fight. Putting your son or daughter in the shoes of someone who had a bad day will help him or her do the same later, reflexively.
“Why do you think Francisco hit Grayson today? It’s hard to handle angry feelings, isn’t it?”
I’m a near-forty, white, frizzy-haired, state employee who dances exactly like what you would expect. And although my moves invariably cause my husband to chuckle (knee-slap, whatever), I still get down something fierce to James Brown or De La Soul.
“Why did you say I’m sorry to that driver, Mommy?”
“Because it was my fault for pulling out in front of him. I wasn’t paying attention. I need to work on that.”
Perhaps most importantly, we need to acknowledge the sin for what it is when we see it. But consider the four points prior to this. We should never avoid discussing an example of bullying. We should name it, but we should also frame it. Because more love, albeit amorphous, is the only true solution to bullies in the first place. Contextualize the situation, as best as you can guess, and help your son or daughter recognize it for what it is: namely, unwelcome.

I’ve had several stylus over the course of a few years, they all have the same problem when it comes to writing or even drawing on the tablet…they are too fat and are either hard to see where you are writing/drawing or create to big of a line. I figured that was just the life of using a stylus…that is until Wacom introduced me to their Bamboo Stylus Fineline!
This stylus is unlike any I’ve used before, not only is more like a pen, but it also syncs to your apps on Apple devices to create a smoother use. I will say, while it syncs to Apple devices, I also use it on my Samsung with the same apps…and I haven’t seen much of a difference in use.
inspired by a new idea? Simply write it down with this high-precision stylus. The advanced thin tip with pressure sensing gives you precise control over your iPad whether you write or sketch. It feels and looks as natural as pen on paper.
My boys and I love to draw, and with the everyday stylus, you can’t get those fine details in there, I’ve had so much fun just sketching with this stylus! Here is a quick rough sketch and writing to show you just how thin you can get with this stylus!
Get the most natural writing experience on your touch screen. The palm rejection of this iPad stylus is supported by a wide range of apps. Your palm and fingers touching the screen can’t disturb you anymore.
Imagine the possibilities! You can now send a hand written e-note to your loved ones on Valentines Day! I love it for sketching as well as taking notes during business meetings. There are 14 apps that work with the Wacom Bamboo Fineline..6 of which you will get full use out of your stylus.
For more information on this fabulous product, & to see what apps are compatible visit their site.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”