It is an important part of discovering yourself, understanding others and understanding the world. I’m always so happy to see others who think art education is as important as I do — like my amazing neighbor Amy who not only helps me with awesome projects at TT&J but also teaches art appreciation at our elementary school (her Frida Kahlo unibrow was going above and beyond)!

Each of my kids has embraced creative expression in their own way, and I’m proud of each of them. Even my youngest loves to create. This is her recent, school-award-winning 3-D photography project for the Reflections contest:

I admire that she had a vision for what she wanted to do (“The world would be a better place if … there were more trees and flowers”) and she worked to make it happen.

So when others do that, I admire it too. Like when a great company, Duck Brand, and a great website, Cindy Ambuehl’s inspirational home decor site, team up to support art education, like they did last year and this year. And whenever any of us can work together to do something good, like encourage creativity and inspire people, well, that’s awesome.

What did they team up to do? They participated in the annual Express Yourself fundraiser to raise funds for PS Arts, a Los Angeles non-profit that partners with public schools to provide art, theater and music education, particularly in under-served areas. And this event brings the celebrity participation! This year’s Express Yourself event (#expressyourself2014) just took place yesterday — check it out:

Jason Bateman! One of my faves, with Don Diamont! The event also drew other celebs like …

Lisa Kudrow (former event chair), Elizabeth Berkley, Joel McHale, Rob Riggle (above)– and their kids!

That’s Jason Bateman (!) and his lovely daughters.

I think it’s cool that Duck Brand was involved. (They had a fun Duck Brand tape craft table with craft ideas, Duck Brand supplies, and take-home prizes for the kids.)

Duck Brand makes great supplies for fun crafts that kids love — and of course I’ve used them for my DIY projects as well.

Here are a few of my favorite Duck Tape ideas:

 Handmade Duck Brand Tape Holiday Cards from Madigan Made

 Houndstooth Stool from In My Own Style

 Cool new wall accents from Duck Brand’s Express Decor Accents line

and

 This cool autumn wreath!

* * * * *

Please, wherever you can, support art education!

And for more information, follow:

PS Arts on the Web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

The Duck Brand on the Web, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

Have a creative day!

xoxo

This is a sponsored post, however, the opinions are all mine. See my disclosures.

The post Creativity, Art & Inspiration appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

So when the folks at Colgate contacted me to tell me about the new Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste, it reminded me again how important good dental health is to me and my family … and I decided to make a fun printable to remind us when to replace our toothbrushes and share this cool new product with you. (Thanks to Colgate for letting me try it and for sponsoring this post!)

I love the way my teeth feel after I’ve had them polished! And the new Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste gently polishes my teeth and helps me keep that just-polished feeling in between cleanings – it feels great! And it also replenishes the calcium in your teeth, filling in rough spots and making teeth stronger. Yay!

I’ll tell you more and share the printable below:

Good dental health isn’t something that’s just for kids. When we go to the dentist, the hygienist polishes our teeth after cleaning to smooth the enamel — and make it harder for germs to stick.

That’s what’s cool about the new Colgate Enamel Health toothpaste – it’s designed to improve your tooth enamel’s strength and health. It gently polishes the enamel surface — kind of like a dental hygienist — and also helps replenish calcium and other minerals in the enamel. I tried it and my teeth felt so clean.

(Plus, Colgate has the new Colgate 360 Enamel Health manual toothbrush to complement the new toothpaste.)

And here are the printables!

I’m sharing them in both 4×6 and 5×7 inch sizes — both in the PDF! Just right-click this link or the image below and choose “save as” to download the PDF! As always, these are for personal use only.

* * * * *

You can learn more about Colgate Enamel Health at:

www.twitter.com/Colgate
www.facebook.com/Colgate
www.colgateenamelhealth.com

What’s your favorite dental care tip?

xoxo

This post sponsored by Colgate as part of my participation in the Mom it Forward blogger network. See my disclosures.

The post “Change Your Toothbrush” Free Printable – #ColgateEnamelHealth appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Here are a few of my favorite things lately:

My FitBit.  I’ve lost about 35 pounds in the last year through exercising and eating heathier and my FitBit has definitely played a big part in my weight loss. I just clip it onto my bra each day and it keeps track of my steps, calories burned and miles walked. I try to hit between 10,000 – 15,000 steps per day. And I also love that it links up with my computer and my phone. I can also log in my food for the day and exercise activities for even more accurate results!

I collect white cake plates. And I am always looking for something that’s a little different. I fell in love with these scallop metal cake plates from World Market. You can use them alone or stack them up for a more dramatic look. And they are such a great price.

I was so sad last year when my favorite brand of lip gloss from L’Oreal was discontinued. I swear I have tried every single brand of lipgloss out there. I finally found something that I love as much. It’s Buxom Lipgloss. I bought it at Sephora. I like that it gives me vibrant color with shine and it has a tingle which feels good.

And as a woman in her 40’s, I am always looking for good skincare products. I might even be a little addicted and guilable. I believe everything the PR companies tell me haha! But here are a few products that really have worked for me.

I just found this skin cream – Nanoblur. It instantly mattifies my skin and moisturizes my skin. You can use it over bare skin or over foundation. It really works. I bought mine at Walgreens.

Another great product for conceiling imprefections is Miracle Blur from L’Oreal. Instantly erases the look of wrinkles, pores and lines.

L’Oreal Pore Vanisher – it has ingredients that help conceal pore but also shrink their size over time.

I’m not a big eyeshadow person. I like the motto of “less is more”. So I like just a little shine and sparkle. My favorite is Sona Kashuk’s Shimmering Sands.

I have never loved foundation. I didn’t like the way it settled into every pore and wrinkle. Here is a foundation that is amazing. Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream  It does so much – It has 30x the vitamin c of an orange, plus SPF 30 and ingredients that decrease wrinkles and skin imperfections. I buy mine at Sephora.

My favorite bluse is Dream Bouncy from Maybelline. I love the hues. My favorite is Candy Coral. You just rub it into your skin and it really makes you look so refreshed and perky!

And if you are looking for a forehead or neck cream, Bremenn Instand Forehead Smoother is amazing. You can buy it at Kohls.

My favorite self-tanner is still Jergen’s Natural Glow self tanner. I love that it’s gradual and it’s firming and easy to use with no smell.

My favorite shoes right now are Brooks Pure Drift — it’s super light and comfortable.

My favorite hoodie to take me to the gym or running trail and back is Albion Fit’s Flatter Me Hoodie. So cute and comfy.

My favorite snack (thanks to my cute sister Ashley) are Mary’s Gone Crackers — they are gluten-free and made out of brown rice, flax, quinoa and sesame. Yum! You can buy them in bulk at Costco.

And my favorite dip is Skotidakis Dill and Cucumber Yogurt Dip. You can also buy this at Costco. It’s so yummy with crackers, or veggies or as a condiment on sandwiches.

These are my favorite pants right now. From Old Navy – Rock Star Zip Cargos. They are so comfortable and a fun switch-up from jeans. I love the zipper details. I bought a pair in every color when they were on sale

And I can’t wait for warm weather to wear these cork wedge sandals I found at Target. I love the metal details too!

So now it’s YOUR turn. What’s something that YOU love lately?? 

Let us know in the comments.

I would love to see YOUR favorites!! 

Have a beautiful day! 

xoxo

The post My Favorite Things – Spring 2014! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.