New Limited Edition LipSense - She's Apples and Coral-Lina

EEEEEEK!  Let me share with you my excitement...EEEEEEEEEEK!

I am in LOVE with these two new Limited Edition LipSense colors!  Let's start with She's Apple.  She is a stunning coral/red, matte finish warm color.  Great for the summer, think the beach...all the golden six-pack boys will be turning their heads to look at YOU!  Easy to transition into the Fall as well.  Layer it with Plum, Mulled Wine and you've got yourself a new fall drink!  She's Apple, Plum Wine! :-)

She's Apple with Matte gloss

Oh, Coral-Lina.  Oh the Coral, oh the shimmer, oh the versatility of this color!  Coral-Lina is a gorgeous light shimmer finish coral with flecks of gold.  If you're a LipSense 'oldie' this color reminds me of a mix of our retired Gold Champagne mixed with Luv It.  She reminds me of the beach too, but the inside of a conch shell.  It is also the color that I will wear when I leap into the ocean imagining myself as a mermaid.  So, to all my sisters with legs on land and fins in the open sea...this one is for YOU!

Coral-Lina with Glossy gloss

To order, please join my Facebook group: The Playful Pout - Lip Color Boutique

LipSense - Welcome to your New Obsession and the new YOU!

If you haven't tried LipSense yet, quickly go to my facebook group page and get you a starter kit!  Like, yesterday!  It will change your life.  And, if you want to REALLY change your life, become a distributor and start selling it - you will NOT regret it.

Just so you know, I never wore lipstick before I met LipSense.  I didn't wear it because, well, it was pointless.  It would come off after my first cup of coffee.  And I drink copious amounts of coffee and don't have time to reapply lipstick 1,239 times a day.  Who does?

This is where my new obsession began.  However, I didn't just start collecting LipSense, I began collecting all things SeneGence (company who sells LipSense)!  ShadowSense, Skincare, Mascara and other one-of-a-kind products like Climate Control, Lash Extend, Nail Extend, Lip Volumizer, Nangai Oil...the list really does go on and on...

What makes our products so unique?  Well, besides the unicorn budge proof, long lasting LipSense, SeneGence uses the best ingredients in the world AND we have a patent on a proprietary ingredient called SenePlex Complex.  SenePlex Complex actually renews the turnover of new skin cells at a 23% faster rate than what your skin does naturally on its own!!  This means newer, fresher skin at a faster pace...anti-aging is EVERYTHING right now.  And, who doesn't want that faster?  I could again, go on and on about how I personally have seen a change in my skin and more importantly, my confidence has soared in the last year I have been using them.  What other skincare company can you say changed your confidence?  The way I act and dress and feel has significantly changed in the last year.  DRAMATICALLY.

If you are interested in finding your inner diva, wearing the best skin care and lipstick on EARTH (IMO), and straight up rocking it at your own life, (who doesn't?), let me know.  I would love to help you re-find yourself!  It has been a world changer for me.  And, it can for you too!

Facebook Group: The Playful Pout - Lip Color Boutique

After teaching a sweaty Zumba class

Me and Precious Lowen at the park!

My 3 littles - my WHY!!

Don't take yourself too seriously!

Berry LipSense

Blu-Red LipSense

Razzberry layered with Purple Reign

Apple Cider - the perfect pink

DFW Birthday Parties on the CHEAP (Under $200)

I've thought to myself so many times how simple my birthday parties used to be...I don't think I ever had a party anywhere but my house growing up!  I always had a blast..but with today's Pinterest inspired birthday extravaganzas, us mommy's are headed towards guilt if we don't think of something great, right?  The pressure is on!  But, who's to say you can't have an unbelievably FUN birthday party for your precious kiddo and NOT go into debt??  You can do it...and the best part is that you don't have to clean up the mess afterwards which makes it completely worth it in the end.

I've compiled a list of over 30 places to have birthday parties around the Keller/N. Fort Worth (and surrounding) area for UNDER $200!  Some even as low as $30...yup...and some even for FREE!  You read that right...so here ya go!  ENJOY!  Of course, if there are any others out there I may have list PLEASE let me know in the comments section!

Please always double check pricing by contacting each location using the 'more info' link.  Prices are always subject to change.

Churches
1) The Hills Church of Christ - 3 locations - Southlake, NRH & West FW.  All 3 campuses have playscape areas for booking parties for $50.  Southlake location is $60.  More info

2) The Ark (GracePoint Church) - Coppell, Tx.  Great location and reasonably priced.  $180 for non-members, $90 for members.  More info

3) Paradise Pond (First Baptist Grapevine) - Grapevine, Tx.  Paradise Pond books FAST!  You'll need to book up to 6 months in advance.  Parties start at $150.  More info

4) The Tubes, Irving Bible Church - Irving, Tx.  Great place - lots of tubes and fun for you kids to play, $50 fee for this place!  More info

5) The Cube, Compass Church - Colleyville, Tx.  Call for party info: 817-906-1478

6) Christ Chapel Bible Church - (Downtown) Fort Worth, Tx.  I have not personally been here, but they do have parties for $50!  More info

7) First Baptist Church Colleyville - Colleyville, Tx.  I have attended a party at this church in their Jungle themed indoor playscape, however I cannot find information on their website.  Try calling them for information at 817-281-4158, or try googling for more info.


Outdoors
1) Homestead Farms - Keller, Tx.  Goat farm with chickens, rabbits, pigs.  Playground with see-saw and includes a hayride and guided tour for $85.  More info

2) Bear Creek Park Pavillions - Keller, Tx.  You can reserve a pavilion at several locations with awesome parks/playgrounds right next to them.  Bear Creek, Johnson Rd, Keller Sports, Keller Smithfield (zipline park), Overton Ridge.  All starting at $30-$40.  More info

Grapevine rental info can be found HERE
3) Casey's Clubhouse - Grapevine, Tx.  Great park in Grapevine next to a splash pad.  Starting at $60-$120.
4) Parr Park - Grapevine, Tx.  Playground and Splash pad.  Great for summer parties!  Starting at $60.
5) Dove Waterpark - Grapevine, Tx.  Near Casey's Clubhouse park.
6) Pleasant Glade Pool - Grapevine, Tx.  Table Pizza Party starting at $175.
7) Grapevine REC Pool/Play - Grapevine, Tx.  Open Swim Party starting at $175, Open Play party starting at $150.

8) Forest Park Miniature Train - Call ahead for info.  You will purchase group rate tickets based on your party.  Details will need to be worked out over the phone.  817-336-3328  More info

9) Adventure Land Park - North Richland Hills, Tx.  Call for more info on reserving a pavilion.  More info

10) Bob Jones Nature Center - Southlake, Tx.  Hidden gym in Southlake with loads of indoor/outdoor nature activities.  Party themes included, you pick the theme, they decorate!!  Starting at $180.  More info

11) Bicentennial Park - Southlake, Tx.  Booking info coming soon!


Indoors
1) Fire Station Tour - Several Locations, call your local fire department for details - Typically this is FREE.  They do a short safety talk on fire prevention, tour the department and tour the emergency vehicles.

2) Keller Pointe - Keller, Tx.  Pool Party - Starting at $165.  More info

3) Tornado Terry's - Keller, Tx.  Local Arcade gallery with old school and current video games.  Up to 8 people starting at $115.  Recommended for ages 6 and up.  More info

4) Frontiers of Flight - Dallas, Tx.  Great museum for your kiddo that LOVES flying and airplanes!  Starts at $140.  More info

6) Going Bonkers - Lewisville, Tx.  Great indoor playscape - loads of tubes/slides!  Walk in parties are welcome (generally cheaper) and party packages start at $90.  More info

7) NRH Centre - North Richland Hills, Tx.  Open Swim party starting at $150.  More info

8) Celebrations Event Center - Keller, Tx.  This great little place is super for little kiddos up to age 6-7.  Equipped with a small village (including a barber shop, jailhouse, movie theatre, firehouse, costumes, large wooden train and bounce house) your kids will have a blast here.  Weekend parties and add-ons can get expensive but if you book during the weekday parties start at $150.  More info

9) Altitude Toddler Time Party - Keller, Tx.  Toddler time is M-F 10am-1pm.  If you have a party during this time, you should just have to pay admission for the children who attend the party.  2yo and younger is FREE.  3yo and up is just at $3-5 per child.  Call for details.  817-741-JUMP

10) United Cheer - Keller, Tx.  GREAT spot to run your kids ragged.  Includes gym space and a bouncy house room.  You'll spend time in both areas.  Gym includes large rock wall with slides, foam pit and running trampoline strip.  Bouncy house room typically has about 3-4 different bounce houses for lots of fun.  Parties start at $150.  More info

11) Brunswick Zone - Watauga, Tx.  Who doesn't love to bowl?  Have a great time bowling and eating pizza.  Parties start at $12.99 per child for 2 hrs of bowling and cheese pizza.  Add ons available.  More info

12) Sunshine Glaze - Southlake, Tx.  Pottery and Paint with your little ones - great for artistic and creative kids!  Parties start at $18 per child, min of 8 children.  More info

13) Artful Mayhem - Keller, Tx.  Little Artists will LOVE this place in downtown Keller.  Parties start at $100!  More info

14) Let's Pretend Tea Parties - Grapevine, Tx.  Does your little one love to pretend tea time and dress up?  Then this is perfect for her and her friends!  Includes dress up, make up, cupcakes and tea!  Starting at $12.95 per little lady (or gent).  More info

15) Nickelmania - Carrollton, Tx.  Arcades and games for a nickel!!  Kids will have fun and it won't cost a lot!  $20 deposit for tables (which will also go towards what you spend) and you can bring your own nickels, food, cake and drinks!  This party may be more for your older kids.  More info

16) Laser Quest - North Richland Hills, Tx.  Who doesn't like a good adrenaline pumping game of laser tag?  Packages starting at $13 per person (min. of 8 people).  More info

17) Rollerworld Northeast - Watauga, Tx.  Have a blast from the past and do the hokey-pokey!  Packages startint at $100.  More info

18) Home Depot - FREE - Call your local Home Depot for more information.  They will set up a table for your refreshments/food, provide aprons, hats, measuring tape and even a project for you to complete.  How fun for you little handy-person!

19) Cabelas - Fort Worth, Tx.  Cost is $150 for 3 hours of FUN.  If your child is a fan of hunting and outdoors this is the place to have your party!  They provide space in one of their conference rooms with tables/chairs, free water, tokens for bday boy/girl, fish food to feed the fish and an optional scavenger hunt.  All food must be catered by the Cabela's Grill, however, cake and ice cream can be brought in by you.

Other Ideas (these may be MORE than $200):
1) Funny Business - Hire clowns, characters, face painters, petting zoo, balloon artists, etc.  I cannot comment on pricing as you have to request a pricing quote.  More info

2) Looking for Disney fairytale characters?  Try Fairy Tale Princess Parties DFW.  More info

3) Stockyard Stables - Fort Worth, Tx.  Have a western themed party at this fabulous venue!  More info

4) Trinity River Farm - N. Arlington, Tx.  Fancy horse stables and horseback riding available!  More info

5) The Royal Party Room - Fairy, Barbie, Princess, Diva...LOTS of girl (and boy) themed parties!  More info

6) Noah's Ark Animal Workshop - This is similar to Build-A-Bear, but it will come to your party!  Starting at $13-$18 per child.  More info

7) Polar Ice House (Skating Rink) - Grapevine, Tx.  Experienced skaters will have a blast on the ice!  Call for more information on booking.  More info

Morgan Family Vacation!

So, now that us Morgan girls are official adults with families we thought it was high time to start a new Morgan family tradition (amongst many).  Every June we take a family vacation with all the kids and parents and grandparents and cousins and toys and germs and fun.  It's a lot of work but so worth it for all the memories we make together.  Last year was our official first year and we decided to do a 'Staycation' to plan our next official vacation...because that's the way us Morgan girls roll.  We are organized, efficient and were made for planning and coordinating things. :)  

This year (June 2014) we went to Lake Palestine in Flint, Texas and stayed at a RCI resort called The Villages (A Silverleaf Resort).  We had a blast of fun!  Unfortunately my older and wiser (but with less gray hair...not sure how that worked out - I'm the youngest with the most gray...hmmm) sister, Ashley, and her family (Justin, Avery and Ella) couldn't make it because...well, they were in the middle of adopting our newest addition, Ella Rae - that is another post entirely! We were so sad that they couldn't be there but we still had so much fun.  There were bugs, bikinis, Texas sheet cake, cousin bubble baths, dance parties, Texas sheet cake heated up with ice cream on top, card games, Sangria, playing toy shop, a sad moment when we realized all the Texas sheet cake had been devoured by my Dad (who struggles with Diabetes, go figure!), being chased by geese, heat and just tons of family time.

The resort was decked out with an indoor water park with arcade, movies - tons of stuff.  Declan and Mairen had the most fun splashing around in the shallow water and jumping into Mommy and Daddy's arms.  We went fishing off the boat pier, went paddle boating and also went to a wildlife reserve for wildcats of all species.  Here are all the pics!

Cousin Caden and Declan - more than likely hunting dinos.

Sweet Mairen having fun at the water park.

Keely and Kallyn

Grammy and Declan

I LOVE my moms face in this picture - having so much fun!

Declan and me sliding down the slides

Declan is a PRO

Daniel kayaking - glad this was a lake and not the ocean otherwise his watercraft would have been mistaken as a seal and he'd have been eaten by a shark - now, that would have made for an interesting family vacation story...

Doing our best at paddling the boat

Too cool for school

This was moments before being charged by an angry momma goose protecting her nest...

Fishing buddies

My little stinker

Morgan girls (minus Ashley)

Daddy and girls

Seriously.  That hair.

Please.  Stop.  Growing.

Ahhhh, sweetness

GRAMMMMYYYY!

How sweet is this picture?  Mairen LOVES her Grandad SO much.

Lexie - everyone.  Everyone - Lexie.  

It only took 3 1/2 years for him to wear a hat.  #OCD.

Silly Dad

Beauty and Power

Hot.  Tired.  Homebound.

Quietly planning her escape...

Mairen Rose Turns 1!

I know, I know.  It's August and Mairen Rose turned One in April.  Terrible I know.  But, better late than never and I need to document this stuff, so here goes.

We don't do crazy, over-the-top, hyper expensive, invite everyone-under-the-sun, grand FIRST birthdays.  Why?  Because they won't remember it and let's face it.  You are going to spend each year after their first birthday trying to 'out do' the last one, so my theory is: If I can start off at year 2, I have an extra year in the bank!  We did a small family gathering and had a Rose themed party!  It was great fun to plan because I just LOVE planning parties - always have.  Even (get this) BEFORE Pinterest!  Ya know, when you had an awesome idea and could actually say it was YOUR idea...because as far as you know it was?  There is some sense of accomplishment in that and quite frankly Pinterest has taken that away from all us creative juicing craftinistas.  I dare you to make up a craft or do something that you don't do a search on Pinterest for, first.  I dare you! :-)  Pinterest is greatness, it's just that sometimes it would be nice to be able to take the credit for a fabulous idea, that's all.

The decor was so much fun to make.  I made a fabric garland with vintage rose fabric and lace and a Happy Birthday banner made from scalloped large hole punched floral paper.  I attached the banner letters to the garland using small clothes pins with tiny paper roses of all colors hot glued to the top.  I had also taken monthly pics and hung those using the clothes pins on a piece of iron art above the fireplace.  I used mason jars wrapped with burlap and lace for floral pink rose centerpieces and made chalkboard signs for the food.  My favorite was making her cake and the topper for the cake.  I bought a $1 white picket fence from Hobby Lobby and made a tiny bunting to hang across it!  Agh - I love making things that are tiny that are supposed to be big!  Then I framed the words "Happy Birthday Mairen" in a tiny coral/pink frame and stuck that on top of the cake too.  Just what I was envisioning.  I also used a fabulous cream rose fabric that I used for a tablecloth to tie in the Rose theme.

Food was minimalistic because it was just family, but that doesn't mean it wasn't completely delicious.  I made some yummy raspberry lemonade and tea, La Madeleine pasta salad, ham and swiss hot sandwiches, some chips, lemon tea cakes, roasted candied pecans and Hummingbird birthday cake.  Everyone had a wonderful time and the birthday girl loved her cake!  Here are pics from our special day with family - we were a little sad that some family couldn't make it, but we had a fun time with grandparents!

Professional 1 Year Pics:  I love you sweet girl!

Pictures taken by: Amanda Dorris Photography