Entertaining

Create the Ultimate Home Theater!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

In my house, we like to entertain. Our house has always been kind of the gathering place for all of my family, and our friends. It’s become even more so these days, since this health stuff now keeps me at home more than I’d like. During the summer we’re all about outdoor fun – we have a big 4-bay shop where the guys like to tinker around, a giant fruit and veggie garden the kids love to help pick produce from, a big field with a great playhouse and fort, and the best part – a big inground pool that gets a ton of use! During the fall and into winter, it gets pretty darn cold here in the PNW, so we bring the party indoors… But that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop, no way buddy. And I’ve recently found an awesome new gadget that is on my wish list {are you reading this Santa?} – I can think of SO many ways to use this bad boy. Check it out – the Epson Ultra bright home theater projector, available at one of my fave retailers, Best Buy.

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on October 12, 2016 Filed Under: Tech Tips | No Comments

How to Rock Your Holiday Music This Year

I’ve been compensated with a complimentary set of wireless speakers from Best Buy to evaluate, and share my experience with you guys. All opinions are my own, as always.

I love music. Like, almost any type of music. I like oldies – everything from motown to rock. I like Salt N Pepa, Norah Jones, Nickleback, Sublime. I like country. I like Taylor Swift. I have a majorly eclectic taste in tunes. And – since I entertain so much, I need to always have a way to play songs that fit the event, the crowd, and the mood. Which means ditching my old school CD player and CDs that I collected for years….

You know how hard it was to toss my awesome collection of 90s rap CDs? Seriously? It was like, throwing out a high school yearbook or class ring or something. Totally hard. But – who listens to CDs anymore, right? These days, it’s all about my Pandora radio stations, where I can customize my music selections to be exactly what I’m in the mood for. And, it means a need for awesome wireless speakers that can play music in every room of my house.

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 16, 2014 Filed Under: Tech Tips | No Comments

Disney Frozen Party Ideas

Who loves the movie Disney Frozen? Who wants to build a snowman? Um, pretty much everyone in the world, am I right? Frozen was SO not just a princess movie – my nephews love it. I know so many couples who don’t even have kids who have watched it. And I swear – I have the songs in my head every night when I try to sleep. {And honestly – have you ever had kids fighting over something, and you say, “Let it go!” – and there it goes. That phrase has a whole new life after the movie, lol.} If you’re a Disney’s Frozen lover too, you will LOVE this….

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 30, 2014 Filed Under: Crafty, Featured Disney | 1 Comment

The Elsa Cocktail – Disney’s Frozen Inspired Sangria Recipe

This week I made my Sweet’N Low Sangria recipe, inspired by the Disney movie Frozen, as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. #SweetNLowStars.

Hi. My name is Meagan. And I like to party. {Anyone else seen Hot Rod? One of the funniest-cheesiest movies ever? :)} Anyway – I do like to party. Whether it’s a great dinner party with friends and family, a girl’s night with my besties, or a playdate party with my favorite-ist little lady – any reason to celebrate life makes me happy. And, since my little girl, like every other girl ages 1-100 in the world, is in love with the movie Frozen, I decided to have a fun Frozen themed night for her and a couple of our friends. Today I’ll share the drinks I made – Sangria for the adults, and a couple of non-alcoholic options for the kiddos. Over the next week I’ll share some treats, foods, and party ideas too. So be sure to subscribe via email to stay updated!

How fun is this, right? I call it “The Elsa.” It’s icy blue colored. It has frozen fruit and fun frozen ice cubes – even star-shaped {the closest I could get to a snowflake :)} frozen pineapple slices. It’s also low-cal. Because it’s made with SkinnyGirl wine, and Sweet’N Low instead of sugar in the simple syrup. A delish drink that’s guilt-free, and super fun? That’s a win in my book :) So – here’s how to create your own at home… [Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 11, 2014 Filed Under: Featured Drinks | 5 Comments

Low-Cal Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

This week I made a super awesome Sweet’N Low Low-Cal Lemon Drop Martini as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. Big thanks to them for allowing me to a part of the #SweetNLowStars – hope you enjoy!

I’ve been posting a few back to school giveaway posts this week. And I know a ton of other bloggy moms around the country who have kids going back to school in the next week. But – here in Central Washington, we’re still in the upper 90’s to 100’s, and have almost a month left of summer vacation left. Which means, I’m still in a summer state of mind :) We just got back from an awesome camping trip at Rimrock Lake {have you seen the pics on Instagram? It was so gorgeous.} And I just can’t feel the whole fall mindset yet. Which is why I’m still in the mood for light, simple, and easy food and drink recipes. Check out a new fave of mine – it’s even low-cal. Which is mucho important when it’s still swimsuit season here.

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on August 7, 2014 Filed Under: Food | 3 Comments

Stay-at-Home Date Night Ideas

This post brought to you by Breyers Gelato Indulgences. All opinions are 100% mine.

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings – these are a few of my favorite things…” – The Sound of Music. So, I love a good “night out.” A night with the Mister where I get dolled up, we have a babysitter, and we go out for a meal that someone else makes and cleans up, a movie that’s not Frozen, or some karaoke and dancing with friends. But, that’s not always in the cards. But even when we can’t go out for a date night, that doesn’t mean we can’t have date nights at home. And honestly – my Mister, some snuggle time, and great food and desserts are some of my favorite things, so a date night at home is sometimes even better than going out :) Here are a few ideas we use, that might help jump start your imagination on creating fun date nights at home too….

Date Night at Home Ideas

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 16, 2014 Filed Under: Celebrations, Entertainment | 1 Comment

How to Prep for Holiday Guests in 30 Minutes or Less

This post brought to you by Bed Bath & Beyond. All opinions are 100% mine.

We’ve all been there. It’s the holiday season, and you find out on super short notice that you’ve got friends or family showing up. You not only need to round up some fun drinks and appetizers – maybe even dinner and dessert! – but you’ve also got to get the house presentable in a flash. Well, like a super hero who shows up right when you need saving – I’m here to help. Keep reading to get my best tips for hosting guests in 30 minutes or less.

First of all – automate and delegate everything that you can. If the kids are home, they can do a lot of simple tasks – wash windows and mirrors to make them sparkle, spray air freshener, replace candles in all of the holders, fluff throw pillows. So put ’em to work! Then automate other tasks – use life-saving gadgets like the Roomba to get to work vacuuming for you, to save you tons of time. [Read more…]