Hailey's Helpful Hints

Hosting a Super Bowl party and need some inspiration as to what to serve? Just as the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are revving up their engines for this Sunday's Super Bowl, it too is time to rev up your creative juices and start planning that menu. Best advice I can give when planning a Super Bowl party is to keep it super low key. It's football for God's sake. There's no reason to make it some fancy- shmancy event. Although it's easy to get wrapped up in finding matching plates and cute cupcake toppers, keep in mind that as long as you have chips, dips and unlimited beer, your party is a smashing success. It's also important to keep in mind that not everything has to be homemade. Major pet peeve of mine is the expectation that if you're having guests over it all has to be made from scratch. As if it qualifies us as being a better person. Get over it. Below I've put together five different menu options that won't have you slaving for ...

Mmmm the thought of an ooey -gooey rice c rispy treat right now sounds fabulous. Let's kick up the buttery marshmallow taste and make it even more mouth-watering with chocolate, peanut butter and butterscotch. And while we are at it - let's just forget calories for the moment. :) ~Rice C rispy Roll~ Ingredients: 10 oz. package marshmallows 1/4 c. butter 1/4 c. peanut butter 5 1/2 c. Rice Krispies Cereal (generic is fine) 1 1/3 c. chocolate chips 3/4 c. butterscotch chips Directions: Line a 15×10 pan with wax paper, buttered. Melt marshmallows, butter and peanut butter. Stir until smooth and well blended. Stir in cereal. Spread on top of wax paper. Melt and stir the chocolate and butterscotch chips. Spread melted chips over the cereal mixture, leaving about 1 inch on each of the long sides. Note: Once started, you need to be rather quick with the assembly and rolling, or it will get stiff and be difficult to roll. Roll the cereal mixture from the long side, peeling back the...

I'm not a real "pamper yourself" type of girl but I do enjoy a relaxing trip to the nail salon when I can actually break away for a little me-time. Especially when you can sip wine and buy extra massage time. I've always been a pedi girl though - never a mani . I'm a nail biter and until I can kick the habit, they just aren't worth spending money on. But O.P.I's "You Don't Know Jacques" ($8.50/Planet Beauty) might have just ended my 20 year habit. To prolong my sacred time away from Chase, laundry and the computer, I had them paint my stubby fingernails. At that moment, a choir of angels belted out a loud Hallelujah ! "You Don't Know Jacques" is amazing! I would seriously paint my entire body in this color. Little did I know at the time that this particular color was named one of Lucky magazine's "Top 10 Beauty Products of the Past Decade." Apparently it's that new " Greige " color everyone is ravin...

Last week I received an email from a reader asking if I could recommend an effective, not very expensive under-eye cream that would get rid of dark circles - preferably something she could grab in the store instead of buying online. For all you readers that suffer with bags and all you women that eventually will, this one's for you... Before I dug into my product research, I first wanted to answer the question - are creams even effective and necessary? I would hate to have you waste your money. This is what I found -- According to the research done on consumersearch .com, under-eye circles are remarkably resistant to treatment. Plus there isn't much science behind the hundreds of claims. While you might see some lightening, no topical cream is going to get rid of dark circles completely. I know that wasn't the answer you were looking for right?!?! No worries, I still have hope. Before I lay out some remedies that *may* work, I think it's first important to first unders...

Need more than just a new way to part your hair? Are you in desperate need to change it up entirely? In 2011 you can look forward to more layers, blunt bangs and razor cut bobs. Of course, right when I grow out my hair, the short haircut becomes the biggest trend for the new year. Oh well, you all can have it now. Whether you are looking for something subtle or drastic, below is a list of hot cuts that are sure to make you feel like a new woman (or man): WOMEN: BLUNT BANGS were popular in 2010 but they are HOT in 2011. They are especially flattering for round and square face shapes and balance out high cheekbones. For a modern, sophisticated look cut the bang just over the eyebrow. What I love about the blunt bang is if you want to change it up at a moments notice you can sweep them to the side for a different look. Best to ask your stylist what bang design fits your face and personality. Bangs work with any style; short, long, curly. SHAGGY BOBS with textured feathered layers will...

In need of some styling help? Wondering what's the latest hair trends? I'll speak for myself and answer YES! Since 1998, I've had super short hair. It was easy. Different. I loved it. And secretly I didn't mind the attention it brought me. I was constantly stopped by gasping comments like, "OH MY GOSH, you're hair is to die for!" Or women insisting that they could never wear such a cut, only fishing to hear, "No you totally could!!" During my long journey to get pregnant with baby #2 however, I decided that I wasn't going to cut my hair until I was pregnant. Some idea that was. Not only did I go through the emotional roller coaster of unexplained infertility, I had a mop of hair in that terribly ugly grow out stage. You can only imagine the level of self confidence I had. Yeah - none. But I pushed through and here I sit, many months later, with a baby in my belly and long(er) hair. Although I thought I would for sure chop my hair after the p...

How ridiculous are movie prices anymore?!?! You better believe I'll be buying this Plum District deal of the day. This one will SELL OUT FAST so if you too want to buy, just click on the link and purchase your $5.00 ticket (Max 2 per person). Then book the babysitter for a night out - just you, your honey and the big screen! http://www.plumdistrict.com/deals/regal-entertainment-group-plum-steal-5-for-two-admission-tickets-to-any-regal-entertainment-group-theater Good ONLY IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA at any Regal Entertainment Group theatre — including Regal Cinemas, United Artist Theatres, or Edwards Theatres. Regal Premiere tickets can be used for any movie at any time (excluding special events or private screenings; see Fine Print or back of ticket for details and terms of use). Best of all, Premiere tickets never expire! Visit REGmovies .com for locations and show times.

Is it Monday already?? Ah. It's back to the daily grind. How many of you started today off on the wrong foot before even getting out of the house? Is this a re-occuring problem? If so, below are some solutions that I find extremely helpful in ending this morning madness: 1: Have a productive p.m -- Do as much as you can the night before. Pack your child's lunch, her backpack, pick out her clothes. Write your to-do list. Set out your work-out clothes. Iron your shirt. The more you can do the night before, the less chaotic your morning will be running around. 2: Forgo 15 minutes of sleep -- By waking up earlier than the rest of the family, you'll have a sliver of quiet time to savor a cup of coffee and get your mind right. No doubt, you'll feel less rushed and better prepared to handle the day. 3: Let routines rule -- Have your child do the required activities such as brushing teeth and getting dressed in the same order every morning, so he knows what comes next. Help...

Can't decide between cookies, brownies or cupcakes?? Don't stress - have them all! You're either gonna love me or hate me after this post. This is a dessert devil - one where you can't eat just one. Hell, I can pound three of these without even blinking an eye. These are to. die. for. And probably one of the easiest recipes I've made in a long time. Easy for the kids to make, minimal cost, appealing presentation and mouth-watering punch. You can make them one of two ways: 1) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes or 2) Cookie Brownies. Although I love me some cupcakes, I'm a brownie girl. Here's how: You will need either a box of chocolate cake mix (preferably whatever is on sale) or two boxes of brownie mix. If you are a chocoholic, I suggest Ghirardelli. I like them chewy so a "fudge" brownie is my personal preference. You will also need a package of pre-made Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Mix the cake or brownie batter according t...

You better brace yourself...and get out your credit cards. These will tickle your fancy. I was recently having coffee with a girlfriend, Ali Bray from Mama Manifesto - if you don't read her blog, you need to start - and she showed me her fabulous new wallet from Saltbox NYC . How cute are these??? The Geo and Basketweave patterns - ahhhh, I'm obsessed. The colors are so fun and playful. Banana and Kiwi being my favorite. Perfect for spring. Every Saltbox product is made from heavy gauge canvas treated to be stain and water resistant which makes it great for year-round use. They have an extensive versatile product line of bags from card holders to travel totes offered in seven vibrant patterns that you'll want to get your hands on. So there you have it - my FANCY FRIDAY pick. Your turn... **New to Hailey's Helpful Hints and wondering what is FANCY FRIDAY? I want to know what tickles your fancy; meaning tell me about something this week that made you smile. Something...

You may remember Pig Pen, Charlie Brown’s friend who always had a dust cloud around him that swirled even when he was still. Despite his uncleanliness, everyone loved Pig Pen. Why ? Because he's relatable . We all seem to have our own little invisible (or not so invisible) dust cloud. And somehow it never fails that our home organization efforts are thwarted because of this lingering nuisance . Where are places in your home where the dust cloud hovers? For me - it was my shoes. I always had good intentions of keeping them nicely lined up on the floor but in a hurry I would kick a pair here, there and everywhere. Somehow my shoes never seemed to make it back to the closet. They were in the entry way. Next to the couch. Outside on the porch. One under the bed, the other inside my gym bag. Or if by some fat chance they were all together, it was a disastrous pile of mismatched chaos. Nine times out of ten my tardiness could be blamed on my inability to find find a match. Being that I a...