Arts and Crafts

Sadly, not everyone has the funds to get a sitter often, even on Valentine's Day, and usually less people have the opportunity to call family members to come babysit while you and your spouse venture out into a night on the town.  But that doesn't mean that you can't celebrate with your love! Valentine's Day snuck up on Joel and I last year, and instead of getting down about not getting a babysitter and planning some romantic adventure, we just went with it.  So this got me thinking that many of you probably don't have any grand plans for the big heart day either (but if you do, then yay! ) - but for those of you who don't, let's...

Disclosure: We were compensated for this post but all opinions are my own. Luxury Pasta is a local company that we love, and just by voting for MY kitchen shortcut, you have the chance to win $100! Saving time in the kitchen is one of my favorite things to do.  I love to provide healthy meals for my family, so any shortcuts I can find to prep and cook quickly and easily definitely catch my attention.  When Luxury Pasta approached me to try their new kitchen shortcut, Pot-Sized Pasta, I was intrigued right away. All those years of breaking noodles to fit in pots and trying to find a way to store those long, awkward boxes of spaghetti are over! Luxury...

We are so thrilled to be featuring an amazing recipe from the one-and-only, local superstar chef Holly Clegg! Not only that, but she is giving away one of her fabulous cookbooks to one, lucky Red Stick Mom! She is such an inspiration when it comes to cooking healthy meals that don't compromise taste. We know you will enjoy making this recipe with your family! Don’t you love to shake off those winter blahs with the fun-filled festivities of Mardi Gras?! Although wildly popular in the South, the carnival season is now celebrated across the country. King cake season is one of my favorite Southern traditions, and here in Baton Rouge we really have some delicious options. However, now you can...

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and for those of us who don't have our valentines bought just yet, I hope that this printable will help get you excited--and even make it easier on you! This year is the first year that Judah is in a full-time daycare, so I'm excited to have so many valentines for him to pass out to his friends.  As a boy mom, I couldn't resist creating my own spin on the popular "love bug" idea and arming him with a bag full of gummy worms to distribute.  But I also was sure to supply a page in there for you girl moms and your ladybugs who want to jump on the love bug train...

It seems as though Valentine's Day just wouldn't be Valentine's Day without conversation heart candies, boxes of chocolate, and foil wrapped sweets; but seeing as we are still nibbling through the bucket of Halloween candy at our house, I thought I would explore some candy-free treat options this holiday. Good news: they're just as festive as any sugary treat on the market! Bonus: these alternatives won't leave out children with certain dietary restrictions or allergies. 1. Festive Pencils ...Or any other red/pink/hearts-clad trinket found in the dollar section. Attach a valentine-y pun, and you're good to go! 2. Play-doh A small tub of play-doh in a pretty treat baggie is great for a pre-school class. Add a heart-shaped cookie cutter for extra cute fun! 3. Bookmarks For this super thrifty option,...