Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Easter Bunny Bars Kids Dessert Recipe

Good Food


Easter Bunny Bars


This post contains affiliate links

This festive colorful popcorn bars recipe from the Popcorn Board is a fun and easy Easter treat kids will love to eat as much as they'll enjoy helping you make. The recipe is simple, however, since you'll be using a hot stove and oven to make these delicious holiday dessert gems, keep younger children safe by having them help you with age-appropriate steps in this recipe.


FUN spring dessert recipe made with popcorn



Easy Easter Dessert Recipe

Yield: Serves 16 

Ingredients 

2 tbsp butter 
3 and 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, divided 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
8 cups popped popcorn 

Simple Directions

Melt butter in large saucepan set over medium-low heat; stir in 3 cups marshmallows, and vanilla until melted. Remove from heat. Immediately stir in popcorn until well coated. Press into parchment paper–lined and greased 13- x 9-inch baking pan; smooth top with greased spatula. Immediately sprinkle with remaining marshmallows, miniature eggs and sprinkles; press toppings lightly to adhere to popcorn layer. Let stand for about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into bars. Store in airtight container. 

Other Ideas

Use colored mini marshmallows, if preferred 
Try Reese's Popcorn which comes already popped, drizzled in peanut butter and chocolate 
Drizzle melted dark, milk or white chocolate over the top of your bars


To All Those Celebrating
Happy Easter!


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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Everyday Accessories for Moms on the Go

Style

Busy Mama's Guide to Looking Put Together 


by Janis Brett Elspas, Editor
Mommy Blog Expert

MBE partnered with Responsival, post contains affiliate links

Whether you're a devoted soccer mom or a grandma driving the kids around town, feeling put together, rather than frazzled, makes all the difference. Even on hectic days, basic styling choices such as simple pearl necklaces -- my favorite everyday accessory -- can lift your spirit and confidence. Instantly elevate your daytime look, adding a touch of effortless elegance with the right accessories and you'll step out the door looking and feeling fabulous.


Mom Accessorizing Casual Outfit with Pearls



7 Every Day Mom Accessorizing Tips


  • Statement Jewelry: A casual pearl necklace, stylish hoop earrings along with the latest Apple Watch instantly upgrade your outfit, adding a polished timelessness to moms of every age.

  • Daytime Makeup: A quick 5-minute day face routine every morning can refine and energize your appearance. Start with a daily micro exfoliator, followed by brightening face moisturizer for a natural glow, some blush, and a swipe of mascara to brighten your look effortlessly.

  • A Simple Hairstyle: Manage fussy hair with a headband, sleek ponytail, top bun, or alligator clip updo. For really bad hair days, a creatively tied head scarf is an easy fix.


Stylish Casual Accessories Jewelry Bags Shoes



  • A Compact Crossbody Bag: Preferred by today's young moms, lightweight shoulder strap phone wallet bags offer handsfree convenience with purse size capacity thanks to multiple compartments for phone, credit cards and keys. No mom caring for kids or grandkids should be without one.

  • Comfortable Footwear: Stylish, supportive shoes, like cushioned slip-on sneakers or ballet flats are a must, so you're ready for walking on all sorts of surfaces indoors and outside.

  • On Trend Eyewear: No matter the season versatile sunglasses, available in an array of stylish frames to complement every skin color and face shape, keep eyes protecting while also adding a cool factor for all moms generations.

  • A Stylish Wrap/Cardigan: Always a good idea to bring along a lightweight wrap, jacket or sweater in a neutral tone for easy layering, providing function and sophistication for a timeless look.


Stylish Mom Dropping Child Off at School


Be Creative With How You Accessorize


Pearls when worn with jeans and tennis shoes is just one idea for a great mom'a look that's easy to pull off. The sky's the limit in how you incorporate your personal style into accessorizing your on the go life. With these must-have accessories you can take on each day with joy, energy, casual style and confidence. Thus proving that busy moms and grandmothers -- even with multiple children in tow -- can look relaxed, together and just plain fabulous every day.

Friday, February 28, 2025

No Address Film Spotlights Homeless Crisis

Movies 


by Janis Brett Elspas, Editor 
Mommy Blog Expert 

MBE received press access to facilitate this story 

Opening in Theaters Nationwide


Get ready to help make the world a better place after seeing this powerful new drama. No Address from Robert Craig Films (2025, PG-13), opens in theaters today, shining a much-needed light on the growing crisis of homelessness in America. Based on true events, this film tells the deeply human stories of adults and kids experiencing homelessness through its fictitious characters to illustrate the diverse and complicated reasons people find themselves without a place to call home. With the homeless population now reaching 2.7 million -- more than half of whom are children -- No Address serves as a compelling and urgent call for awareness, action, and change. 


Homeless Young Woman Walking to Tent Encampment


Homelessness Happens to All Kinds of People


Directed by Julia Verdin and filmed in Sacramento, California, the film introduces a range of interesting personality types, each facing unique hardships. Isabella Ferreira (Gray Matter), as Lauren is a young woman who ages out of the foster care system and is left to fend for herself. Lucas Jade Zumann (Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets) as Jimmy takes Lauren under his wing, introducing her to a makeshift homeless community and his fellow encampment residents Xander Berkeley (The Mentalist, Shanghai Noon) as Harris; Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon's Vacation film series) as Dora; and Grammy-Award winning singer Ashanti who plays Violet, a war vet suffering from PTSD. Together, these characters form a family-like support system, showcasing the resilience and strength often found in those struggling to survive on the streets.


One of the film’s most heartbreaking storylines follows a family of three -- a father, mother, and their young son -- who are evicted from their home. The father, portrayed by William Baldwin (Backdraft, The Squid and the Whale), loses his job and, due to gambling and alcohol addictions, can't pay the bills. Meanwhile his wife Gabrielle, played by Patricia Velásquez, is employed as an ER doctor working double shifts but still cannot prevent the loss of their home. Their devastating descent into homelessness highlights how, for many families with kids, it is not a matter of choice but unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.

The film also features Ty Pennington (ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) as Mr. Mills, a compassionate advocate working to provide aid and solutions for the homeless. Pennington and Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) as Kim further enrich the narrative with their stellar performances, portraying caring involved individuals striving to make a difference in a system that often turns a blind eye. 

Director and Cast at No Address Los Angeles Premiere

Despite Hardship, Hope Still Exists for the Homeless


While No Address presents the harsh realities of life on the streets -- job loss, addiction, eviction, violence, and the struggles of adults and kids just trying to survive -- it also offers hope. It emphasizes that homelessness is not a permanent state and that with empathy, love, and kindness, those affected can find their way back home. The film challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of homelessness, recognizing that these individuals are not defined by their circumstances but by their strength and humanity. 

In the film’s conclusion, a list of No Address partner resources is displayed, providing tangible ways for the public to contribute to ending homelessness. Whether through donating to shelters, supporting rehabilitation programs, volunteering time, or advocating for policy change, there is a role each of us can play to eradicate homelessness. 

Ultimately, No Address is more than just a movie -- it’s a movement. It urges us to open our hearts and minds, to extend a helping hand rather than a judgmental gaze, and to work toward a world where no one is forced to sleep on the streets. Compassion does change lives, and with a collective effort, we can ensure that every person, young and old, has a place to call home.

More About this Film 

Buy tickets now to see No Address in theaters nationwide starting February 28. Robert Craig Films has pledged 50% of the net profits from this film to organizations supporting the homeless community.  Director Julia Verdin is also the founder and is on the board of the non-profit Artists for Change which aims to raise awareness on key social issues through film and media. Learn more by visiting noaddressmovie.com and following on social media @noaddressmovie and @robertcraigfilmsofficial.


DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing access to screen No Address to facilitate this review. Opinions here are 100% my own.