A Thrifty Diva - Where fashion, food and being mom mingle.

A Summer Fun Juicy Fruit Inspired Catch-All Project

August 1, 2014

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JuicyFruitFunSide #CBias #ad

summer fun diy juicy fruit

My simple summer DIY today is inspired by my disaster of a vehicle and chewing gum. Not any chewing gum either, I am obsessed with Juicy Fruit® Fruity Chews they are instant fun, delicious and provide a lot of entertainment. I have been having this constant urge to simplify and declutter everything. With a family of five we seem to collect all kinds of randomness everyday. The idea to declutter my vehicle is nothing new. I do a good sweep of my suburban weekly and have a hard time deciding what we need and what we don’t for our daily adventures. My vehicle is full of places to hold stuff, but the unorganization of crevices, pockets and a non-functional center console led me to making this catch-all that slides into my center console space. A place to keep my Juicy Fruit Fruity Chews, pens, small umbrella, sunblock, phone cords and dvds all stay in one spot and not scattered throughout my vehicle.

To start any DIY summer project you should first head to Walmart and grab your own Juicy Fruit Fruity Chews. Trust me this is a great way to get your imagination flowing. It’s an experience all it’s own and you can practice your bubble making skills, like I do.
photo (1)

A Summer Fun Juicy Fruit Inspired Catch-All Project

diy car catch-all cady juicy fruit 1

Repurpose a box that will fit snug into your center console. This Ziploc box fits just perfect in my suburban. You could always alter a random box to fit perfectly into your car. You will also need a scrap piece of material, scissors and spray adhesive (one of my most favorite diy tools). Simply cut the fabric to cover the entire box and use the spray adhesive to attach it.

how to carry all

Let it dry 2-3 hours. The spray adhesive will help it to become more stiff. Fill it with all of your traveling essentials. I now how this adorable place to keep all of my necessities hidden and together.

catch-all juicy fruit 8

diy center console catch all Juicy Fruit

Kid Approved Mongolian Beef Recipe #KikkomanSabor

July 31, 2014

Michelle Cantu

Recipes

this is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Kikkoman and Latina Bloggers Connect.

kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

These days I feel like a bit of an expert on what kids like and what kids don’t. Mis hijos are some of the pickiest on the planet. Getting proteins and vegetables in their diet is far from easy. I am super conscious of how much good stuff actually gets eaten and cringe at the junk food they get away with. Homeschooling them means we spend just about every waking hour together and I am constantly monitoring what they will actually eat during meals. Enter Mongolian Beef, this is one of the rare options my children will have at one of our favorite restaurants. So today I finally took on the challenge to create another meal to add to my repertoire. I started with Kikkoman soy sauce because it goes perfectly and is a versatile ingredient for the main and side dish tonight. Mongolian beef is a very sweet dish that lures my boys in and have them asking for seconds and thirds.

mongolian beef recipe with kikkoman kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

The Sauce:

You will need 2 tsps vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste (found mine in the produce), 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1/2 cup Kikkoman soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, 3/4 cup brown sugar.

Heat vegetable oil on medium heat add in ginger paste and minced garlic. Without letting it burn stir it around in the oil so that it starts crackling in the heat, 1 minute.

mongolian beef recipe with kikkoman garlic ginger kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

mongolian beef kikkoman saute kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

Add in water and Kikkoman soy sauce and mix around 2 minutes. Next add in the brown sugar and mix it all together. Brown sugar will start to dissolve, let it come to a boil. Remove from heat and set sauce aside.

Cooking Flank:

1.5 Cups vegetable oil, 1 – 2 lb flank steak, 1/2 cup cornstarch, green onion large sliced

Slice flank steak at 45 degree angle thin strips.

mongolian beef kikkoman flank kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

Place Flank steak in a large bowl and coat with corn starch. Set aside for 15 minutes.

mongolian beef flank steak kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

In the mean time take a cast iron pan or wok and add in 1- 1.5 cups of vegetable oil heat on medium.

mongolian beef kikkoman oil kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

Add flank steak to hot oil and let cook 4 minutes. Flip midway though to cook all sides. Drain oil and cook another 1 minute on medium heat. Add in sauce and let cook 3 minutes until sauce gets a slightly bubbly. Add in green onion and stir together.

mogolian beef kikkoman test kitchen kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe Serve with your fried rice and Kikkoman Soy Sauce.

mongolian beef kikkoman test kitchen kid approved mongolian beef recipe kikkoman recipe

Visit Sabor Kikkoman for other delicioso recipes.

Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

July 30, 2014

Michelle Cantu

Beauty

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with NEUTROGENA® and Latina Bloggers Connect.

neutrogena Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

I have always had pretty distinct pores. As the signs of aging become more of a reality and daily part of my life, I see that my pores are stretching and becoming more prominent each and every day. The apples of my cheeks seem to be my biggest problem area with the most defined larger looking pores. I have spent the last 8 days staying faithful to the Neutrogena Pore Refining line to see how it works on my Latin, tanned skin.

Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

Neutrogena Pore Refining Line consists of 4 products that give you smaller pores. Shrinking them for smoother feeling and looking skin. The daily regimen is a four step daily process. I have been following this regimen daily.

Step 1:

There are to products in step (1). You will alternate between the two. No need to use both unless you have lots of acne and oily skin. Once you get your norma skin back start alternating.

Neutrogena Pore Refining Daily Cleanser contains alpha and beta hydroxl formula to remove dead skin and dirt.

Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser gently scrubs skin to remove dirt, oil, makeup control blemished skin and spots while minimizing pores.

Step 2:

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner tightens the skin and pulls out the oil.

Step 3:

Neutrogena Pore Refining Moisturizer hydrates, plumps and keeps skin looking youthful. This is a new product and can be found (in-stores in August).

Here is a close up of my skin before I started using the products.

Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

At day 7.

Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

This is a before and after (day 7). This side-by-side shows just how much smoother my skin appears and how small the pores are looking.

Three steps to smaller pores in a week #NoMasPoros

What do I think?

My pores are half their size and my skin doesn’t look like it has craters. Neutrogena Pore Refining line has become the routine I will not skip, it’s truly amazing how significantly smaller they appear. I can visibly see and feel the difference in my face.

Fisher-Price® Mis Primeras Mañanitas {giveaway} #FPMiPrimerCumple

July 30, 2014

Michelle Cantu

Giveaways, Latina

This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Fisher-Price® and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

mis primeras

Are you looking to throw the ultimate Primeras Mañanitas party for your little one’s big day? Fisher-Price® is proud to announce Mis Primeras Mañanitas, the first of its kind fully integrated Hispanic dedicated program to celebrate babies key milestone, their first year. Mis Primeras Mañanitas was developed to be a resource hub for moms to access unique and creative ideas for baby’s first birthday party.

To kick things off Fisher-Price® is giving you the chance to win a Birthday Prize pack to throw the ultimate “Primeras Mañanitas” party. Sweepstakes winners will receive an amazing Mis Primeras Mañanitas package that will include Mis Primeras Mañanitas Party Items and a bundle of 12 toys.

Enter the Mis Primeras Mañanitas sweepstakes at http://www.fisher-price.com/usp/misprimeras.

Primeras_Mananitas_Final

A Thrifty Diva is also participating in Mis Primeras Mañanitas with our own Fisher-Price® giveaway right here. My readers have the chance to win a Laugh & Learn^TM Crawl Around^TM Car. Just enter the rafflecopter below.

Laugh-and-learn-crawl-around-

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join The #HungerHeroes Twitter Party 1PM EST 8/7

July 28, 2014

Michelle Cantu

Twitter Party

Do you love a good Twitter Party? You know we do and we’re excited to host a party that will give you more info on how to become a Hunger Hero by simply purchasing a product your family already loves. On August 7th at 1:00pm ET, please join us for the #HungerHeroes Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing ways you can help feed hungry kids, and giving you a chance to win prizes!

As a mom of three boys, I can see how easily an unfortunate time could become my worst nightmare and turn my middle class household into a very low income household. A loss of my husbands job, or an illness that would put us in debt with medical bills, there are endless reasons why we could all hit hard times. Families everywhere are already in that difficult time, struggling to put food on the table and worrying about how they will get that next meal on the table. Tyson Chicken Nuggets is helping families fight hunger simply by donating a meal each time a Tyson® Fully-Cooked Chicken Nuggets 5 lb. bag is purchased at Sam’s Club during the month of August. Now we can all give back without having to feel the burden of donating money with nothing in return. A simple trip to Sams Club to purchase necessities and a few bags of Tyson Chicken Nuggets will make us all #HungerHeroes.

Please join me and RSVP for the #HungerHeroes Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

DATE: Thursday, August 7

TIME: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET

PRIZES: 5 – $100 Sam’s Club Gift Cards

EARLY BIRD PRIZE: 1 – $50 Sam’s Club Gift Card

HOSTS: @SmashBravoTeam, @MamaXXI, @AThriftyDiva, @BBabushka, @JManMillerBug

SPECIAL GUEST: @ClubTysonLive

RULES: #HungerHeroes Twitter Party Official Rules

RSVP & PARTY GRID: #HungerHeroes Twitter Party Page

#ad Want super powers? #HungerHeroes Twitter Party 8/7 1pm ET. Prizes $550! RSVP/Rules http://t.co/k9vjtSzAl4 #cbias

— Michelle Cantu (@AThriftyDiva) July 28, 2014

How To Participate In A Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

TIP: How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

TIP: Who to follow at a Twitter Party? Follow the Party Team by clicking on the Twitter handle links on the RSVP page!

TIP: Want to win Twitter Party prizes? RSVP by clicking on RSVP button before you join the party, follow everyone on the Party Team, and tweet with the party hashtag during the party to be eligible!

TIP: How to win the Early Bird prize? Watch for chance to share a tweet when you RSVP for chance to win!

TIP: Special deals and brand coupons? Keep that option checked when you RSVP for the party!

TIP: New to Twitter parties? Watch your column and Party Team tweet columns – they are slower paced and easier to follow!

TIP: Where to find Twitter Parties? Check out the SoFabChats Twitter Party Calendar to find more fun parties to attend!

Find more helpful Twitter Party Tips on SoFabChats!

Summer beauty trends! What’s hot ?

July 23, 2014

Michelle Cantu

Beauty

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

Summer trends walgreens beauty cbias

Last Friday while at lunch with friends we where discussing how amazing it is to go to our favorite stores and just look. No intentions of splurging, but just to see what’s new. I make it a point to have these mini getaways by myself, where I can seriously walk into my local Walgreens and immerse myself in the beauty department. If I find something to add to my summer beauty routine, bonus! Mostly I am just excited to see what new colors Essie has come out with and if there is a new mascara I need to try.
walgreens beauty essie

I felt like a kid in a candy store walking into my new Walgreens. Hooray for another Walgreens, that is less than 10 minutes from me. An opportunity to search for the best Summer beauty trends!

walgreens beauty store

Summer beauty trends equal a bold lip, fresh face, side braids and nails that scream fun! To keep my fish tail braid together, I opt for Mark Hill fabulous finish spray. And because summer means we spend hours and hours outdoors I am lathering up on Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance lotion. Not only does it protect my skin, it also provides a luminous glow and moisturizes. If you haven’t used a lip stain before, try Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain. The stain offers hours and hours of coverage that looks lush and like you just applied it. Great for those of us that don’t have time to reapply, or forget. Because is have a thing for blue polish, check out In The Cab-Ana Essie nail polish, bright, fun and flirty!

summer trends walgreens beauty cbias makeup

Mark Hill Fabulous Finish Hairspray |Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20 | Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer Liquid | L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner | Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal Volum’Express | In The Cab-Ana Essie nail polish | Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion SPF 30

summer trends walgreens beauty cbias fishtail

Shopping Walgreens beauty now through 8/30 will score you a Gift With Purchase. Get a coupon by visiting http://www.walgreens.com/summerbeautygwp for a FREE travel-size make-up brush set. Your gift with any $20 beauty and personal care purchase (excluding baby category).

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