Second Chances Girl - a Miami family and lifestyle blog!: January 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop

Good morning and Happy Friday!! It's time to come link up your favorite blog post of the week and your Instagram account with us!!


Celebrate with us making it to Friday!

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop is a Friday friendly hop where we hope you can blossom, meet and greet new bloggers. We enjoy having you. 

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop



Each Friday we will feature our most favorite post from the previous week. It could be you! We also have a weekly Cohost spotlight, that is great to gain your blog some extra notice (enter here). 

The rules of the TGIF Blog and Instagram Hop Are simple!
1. Link-up any post or posts (no specifics) and your Instagram.
2. Grab a button and display it on your blog, in a post or somewhere viable to help us get notice for the Hop. Also helps us better feature your blog.
3.Be social. Comment and follow at least one blog you enjoy. 
4. Tweet out the TGIF hop. 
Tweet: Link up at the #TGIFhop with @kaitlynmarie003 @desireephillips @silviearmas @ryderbunch @scggirl #instagramhop #bloghop http://ctt.ec/8oM2V+


Meet This Weeks co host
Coming soon!

  This Weeks TGIF Feature
From the blog of: New Mama Diaries
Check out the blog here: Blog




Thursday, January 29, 2015

Life Lately: L.A. Edition

Hello all! I'm back after a few days in L.A. Yup! You read that correctly, I was in L.A.!! I can't talk much about what I was actually there for (super-secret blogging stuff) but I did want to share some of it!!

First off.....there are actual mountains in L.A. This was my view while driving and I couldn't get over it! We have very low ground here in Florida, no hills or mountains or anything. If we didn't have tall buildings, you could probably see from one side of the state to the other!!


First thing I did when I left the airport was go to In & Out Burger!! I had always seen this burger mentioned everywhere and how you must make a stop if you ever go to L.A. and I did and it was FANTASTIC!! 


Other than my secret mission I went to L.A. for, I didn't really do much else. I was only there two days (Monday & Tuesday), the trip is so long and I was super excited. Also, I went by myself so I was a little scared to venture out!! I hung out in my hotel Monday afternoon and then went to meetings on Tuesday and then home. I got back here to Miami at 5am on Wednesday morning and went straight to work! I will tell you I really appreciated traveling by myself and being without family for 2 days. It really lets you miss them and realize how you really can't live without them!!

Oh and this is how most of my trip went..blogging at the airport!! Honestly, I loved every minute of it. Hopefully, one day I will become a full-time blogger!


When I got home, I saw that my #Disneyside package had arrived. I'm super excited to host a Villans-themed party in the next couple of weeks. Time to start planning!


It wouldn't be a life lately post without a kid update so here we go:

Adrian is terrorizing his teacher at school. He talks all the time, forgets his homework packet, it's insane. This is all newish to me so we are taking it day by day. Next year he will be in third grade and that is an extremely difficult grade so we are working on responsibility and good manners, of course!

Gian is doing well. He is working on focusing and not screaming everyday and we are all learning how to work thorough the ADHD diagnosis together and patiently. Definitely a new level to parenting. 

Amberly turning 9 has been fantastic. She is becoming way more independent and confident. She is all into her Nerf Rebelle and scooter right now. I can't even imagine how she would be if she saw Hunger Games.  This is how you will find her lately!


That's life lately around here, a little bit of everything! The next couple of days will be all about packing and moving so get ready for all the updates on Instagram!!

Tell me: What's going on with your families?


Monday, January 26, 2015

Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese Dip #NaturallyFresh

Disclosure: This post is part of the blogger program by Naturally Fresh and The Motherhood, who compensated me for my time and the development of this recipe. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are my own and I hope you enjoy them.

Who's ready for the BIG Game? I have been testing out some new game day recipes for a couple weeks now and we have found a winner: Buffalo Chicken and Bleu Cheese Dip!! I know this isn't a new created by me recipe but it is new to our family recipe!!

Buffalo Chicken and Bleu Cheese Dip recipe

I did my own spin on this classic recipe by not using cream cheese and using Naturally Fresh Bleu Cheese Dressing instead. I love Bleu Cheese and when I saw this dressing in the produce section at my local Publix, I knew I could have some fun with it! Naturally Fresh is a line of high-quality, homemade-tasting salad dressings and dips with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  For instance, Naturally Fresh uses real chunks of aged bleu cheese and their own buttermilk in their Bleu Cheese dressing. It is simply delicious!!!



This dip is easy, quick to make and will definitely be a crowd pleaser! This will be a staple on our game day menus from now on!!


BUFFALO CHICKEN & BLEU CHEESE DIP
Serves 8
Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken from the store)
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1/2 cup Naturally Fresh Bleu-Cheese dressing
crackers or thick chips for serving

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, combine chicken, buffalo sauce and dressing together. Transfer to oven-safe bowl or platter. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. Serve with crackers or thick chips.

Buffalo Chicken and Bleu Cheese Dip recipe

Like I mentioned before, easy and quick. I don't like super creamy dips so this dip is a little chunkier but still incredibly delicious!

I loved this dressing and really want you to try it so I am offering you a chance to win one of five coupons for a  free 12oz bottle of Naturally Fresh dressing. Enter below!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Souper Bowl 2015 Soup & Chili Cook Off Linky Party


Welcome to the Souper Bowl 2015 Soup & Chili Cook Off Linky Party

Please use #SouperBowl2015
Did you know that January is National Soup Month? Well yes, it is, so we decided to celebrate with a party and what better food than Soup, Chili and Stew!
We know you have some family favorite recipes and we want you to share those with us so they may become favorites of our family too!
This party is all about sharing and what better place than Pinterest to be able to keep your recipes where you can easily find them? We have a group board for the party! Scroll down for the link.

Souper Bowl. Soup & Chili Cook Off Linky Part. Jan. 25-31.intelligentdomestications.com

A heartfelt thanks to all 18 of these hard working bloggers who are bringing you this party! Meet Hosts graphic
Souper Bowl Host 1. Shirley. Erlene. Jen and Misty
Souper Bowl Host 4 Amanda at The Kolb Korner // Pinterest
Stephanie at Sharing A to Z // Pinterest
Souper Bowl 2015 Hosts 3. Barb. Kallee. Alli and Tania
Souper Bowl Host graphic 3
Amanda at Busy Mama 911 // Pinterest
Reesa at Momma Lew // Pinterest
Souper Bowl Host 5
Join the Souper Bowl 2015 Group Pinterest Board by following the board, then send your Pinterest email to me so I can add you to the board. Contact me: (shirleywood97@gmail.com) Follow intelligent domestications's board Souper Bowl 2015 on Pinterest. Party Etiquette banner

  • Link up to 7 posts
  • You may link to your post or to your Pin.
  • Link Soup, Chili or Stew Recipes Only, anything else will be removed.
  • Please Don't link and run, Pin and Re-Pin, or comment if you have time.
  • Please be sure you are following your Host on Pinterest.
  • By linking to this party you are allowing permission for your hosts to feature your post on their blogs or social media including the use of your photos for those purposes only.

Let's Party!

Share please with #SouperBowl2015

Friday, January 23, 2015

TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop!!

Celebrate with us making it to Friday!

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop is a Friday friendly hop where we hope you can blossom, meet and greet new bloggers. We enjoy having you. 

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop



Each Friday we will feature our most favorite post from the previous week. It could be you! We also have a weekly Cohost spotlight, that is great to gain your blog some extra notice (enter here). 

The rules of the TGIF Blog and Instagram Hop Are simple!
1. Link-up any post or posts (no specifics) and your Instagram.
2. Grab a button and display it on your blog, in a post or somewhere viable to help us get notice for the Hop. Also helps us better feature your blog.
3.Be social. Comment and follow at least one blog you enjoy. 
4. Tweet out the TGIF hop. 
Tweet: Link up at the #TGIFhop with @kaitlynmarie003 @desireephillips @silviearmas @ryderbunch @scggirl #instagramhop #bloghop http://ctt.ec/8oM2V+


Meet This Weeks co host
 The Heart of Michelle at http://www.HeartofMichelle.com
The Heart of Michelle is a personal blog where you'll find articles about anything from homeschooling to special needs, recipes to fandom posts.


  This Weeks TGIF Feature
From the blog of: Christianity Cove
Be sure to check her blog out here.





Thursday, January 22, 2015

2015 Family Friendly Movie Releases

This is one of my favorite posts of the year. Being the BIG movie buffs that we are, we are SUPER excited for all the amazing movies being released in 2015! There are so many family friendly movies being released and I have already jotted them all down in my planner. We are not missing any of these films!!



So let's get started: (Remember release dates can change, this information is current as of today, 1/22/15)

PADDINGTON
01/16/2015


A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

I know this has already released but I just added it here so you can remember to go see it. We saw it and it is very adorable. 


STRANGE MAGIC
01/23/2015



Goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.


THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER
02/06/2015


SpongeBob goes on a quest to discover a stolen recipe that takes him to our dimension, our world, where he tangles with a pirate.



CINDERELLA
03/13/2015


This movie is the live-action of the classic Cinderella. I am really looking forward to this movie, especially since Cate Blanchett plays the evil stepmother!! 


HOME
03/27/2015


When Earth is taken over by the overly confident Boov, an alien race in search of a new place to call home, all humans are promptly relocated while all Boov get busy reorganizing the planet. But when one resourceful girl, Tip, manages to avoid capture, she finds herself the accidental accomplice of a banished Boov named Oh. The two fugitives realize there's a lot more at stake than intergalactic relations as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime.


MONKEY KINGDOM
04/17/2015


Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up on the social ladder. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya's whole family is forced to relocate, where she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to lead them to untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future. 

I have to say the Disney Nature movies are always incredible. I have seen them all and they really are a treat to watch as a family!!



AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON
05/01/2015


Calling all my super-hero loving families: The Avengers are back!!! I know this doesn't have a G or PG rating but we watch as a family and really enjoy the Avengers movies!!

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.


TOMORROWLAND
05/22/2015


From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.


INSIDE OUT
06/19/2015


Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.


MINIONS
07/10/2015


Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.


ANT-MAN
07/17/2015


Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.


PAN
07/24/2015


This movie is the live-action of Peter Pan. I am really looking forward to seeing Hugh Jackman as Captain Hook!!

The story of an orphan who is spirited away to the magical Neverland. There, he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.


HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2
09/25/2015


When the old-old-old-fashioned vampire Vlad arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool.


THE PEANUTS MOVIE
11/06/2015


Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR
11/25/2015


Arlo, a 70-foot-tall teenage Apatosaurus, befriends a young human boy named Spot.


STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
12/18/2015


Not much needs to be explained for this epicness!! 



2015 is going to be a great year at the movies!!! Now tell me, which movies are you and your family looking forward to seeing?










Monday, January 19, 2015

We Are Moving!

I am thrilled to announce that this weekend we signed the lease to our new place! We will be moving at the beginning of February to this super-cute townhouse close to the one we live in now. I am excited for something new. I love our place now but the rent was getting ridiculously high and it's time for JC and I to be on our own with the kids. I will miss having my mom live with us but it's time. She won't be far from us though because she is looking for an apartment in the same area and my sister lives in the next complex over. Family sticks together (or at-least close-b right?)

Our new home is a 3/2 on the second and third floors. It is a corner unit so we won't annoy too many neighbors!! I only have the pics from the listing but as soon as I take my own pictures, I will post them.

This is the view of the courtyard from our front door. The landscaping in this complex is impeccable!


The kitchen. It's brand new to us since the owner just remodeled it.


This is the view from the door that leads out the balcony. That door that you see at the end is the entry door. To the left is a half-bath and the laundry room and to the right is the kitchen. 


This is the hall at the top of the stairs that leads to the three bedrooms and there are also 2 bathrooms up here.


This is the master bedroom complete with a walk-in closet. 


I can't wait to move in and decorate. Decorating a rental can be fun and I will make sure to show the progress here on the blog. 

Just in case you were wondering why a rental, it's because the Miami housing market is insane, think about $250,000 for a decent starter home. Homes are super expensive and on top of that property taxes and insurance are sky-high. We are renting now and saving little by little and hopefully we can purchase a home within the next 3-5 years!

Oh and we already went furniture shopping and JC fell in love with this sectional at Rooms to Go. I still need to measure to make sure it fits nicely but I think this might be a winner!


Our new complex also has grill areas, a kids park, a pool and a gym so we plan on taking full advantage of all of it! I'm so happy to share this news with you and if you have any decorating suggestions, please feel free to share!!


Friday, January 16, 2015

TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop

Celebrate with us making it to Friday!

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop is a Friday friendly hop where we hope you can blossom, meet and greet new bloggers. We enjoy having you. 

The TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop



Each Friday we will feature our most favorite post from the previous week. It could be you! We also have a weekly Cohost spotlight, that is great to gain your blog some extra notice (enter here). 

The rules of the TGIF Blog and Instagram Hop Are simple!
1. Link-up any post or posts (no specifics) and your Instagram.
2. Grab a button and display it on your blog, in a post or somewhere viable to help us get notice for the Hop. Also helps us better feature your blog.
3.Be social. Comment and follow at least one blog you enjoy. 
4. Tweet out the TGIF hop. 
Tweet: Link up at the #TGIFhop with @kaitlynmarie003 @desireephillips @silviearmas @ryderbunch @scggirl #instagramhop #bloghop http://ctt.ec/8oM2V+


Meet This Weeks co host
CasaMoncada - http://casamoncada.com
CasaMoncada features family friendly product reviews, crafts, events/activities with my family.



  This Weeks TGIF Feature
From the blog of: Christianity Cove
Be sure to check her blog out here.




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