Mocha Mom Wig Party!

Party like a Mocha Mom!

We Mochas have all kind of fun!  This weekend we had  Wig Party fun with our girl Sherri Shepherd!

Sherri with Mocha Tiffany

Our chapter turned out on mass to support our sister Sherri.  We enjoyed good food, chair massages and as always one another's company.  

Mocha Kathy and Mocha Heather getting massages

Some of us had never tried wigs before so celebrity stylist Robert Evan Thomas was there to give us a hand.

Celebrity Stylist Robert Evan Thomas with Mocha Sheri

Wig choices

Mocha Sheri makes her choice

Check out the girls in their new wigs!

Mochas Otise, Michelle and Tiffany

Mocha Kathy

Mochas Ivory and Otise

Mocha Michelle

Mochas Julissa and Tiffany

Mochas Ivory, Tiffany, Sheri, Julissa and Michelle

Mocha Tiffany and Karima

Mirror selfie with Sherri

Mocha Otise, Karima and Tiffany

Mocha Tiffany and April

Red Velvet Deliciousness!

Bergen County Mocha Moms

To check out the Mocha Mom's Chapter in your area, CLICK HERE!

For more information on LuxHair, Click HERE.

To reach Robert Evan Thomas, Click HERE.

This event was also covered by Mommy Noire and by HueKnewIt blog.

Tip and Tricks: The Tooth Fairy Knot

Tooth Fairy Knot

As a long time mom I'm happy to discover any tip or trick to make life easier.  This is a little diddy that I came up with when I was nearly discovered carrying out my tooth fairy duties.

Tiny Baby Tooth

My kids (like all kids) have tiny baby teeth. The poor tooth fairy barely stands a chance at finding such a tiny tooth tucker under (what seems like) a gigantic pillow.

All tied up

As soon as a tooth comes out I tie it in a handkerchief, cloth napkin or some other piece of cloth.

Ready for the Fairy

Place the tooth under the pillow.  The tooth is now MUCH easier for the fairy to locate and remove.

The Tooth Fairy

Good Luck with your Fairy Responsibilities!

This post is courtesy of mocha Kathy W.

Wellness - Spring Cleaning

Happy Beautiful Spring-Like Wednesday! 

Here's an oldie, but goodie! This same time last year, I wrote a Wellness Wednesday inspiring you to prepare for spring and start getting rid of your clutter. March is "Mocha Spring Cleaning" time!! Mentally and physically, all of the clutter has got to go! 

A cluttered space creates a cluttered mind!! Ease into your spring cleaning by clearing out simple spaces that have been bothering you! Unconsciously, this clutter may be causing friction in your life and can weigh you down spiritually and emotionally. Once it's cleared, you will not feel anxious, stressed or unorganized anymore. Your mind will be free and you will be able to think clearly. Then, it will be easy to move on to the next thing and truly be able to enjoy your Spring!

Here are some simple ways you can start to clear the clutter from your life: 

1. Clean out and organize your purse! Switch up your handbag altogether!
2. Everyday remove garbage and unneeded items from your car.
3. Move slowly when you get home and be aware to put up your keys, hang your coat, wash your hands, change your clothes, etc.
4. Hang up your clothes as soon as you take them off or put them in your dirty laundry.
5. Fold and put away clothes immediately after doing laundry.
6. Wash the dishes or fill the dishwasher as you cook or while the food is cooking. I like to go to bed at night with a clean kitchen, so I usually do this after dinner and put everything away in its place. It does take a little more time, but it's refreshing to wake up to a clean kitchen!
7. Clean out your fridge! Move healthy items to eye level on your shelves so they are easy to get to. I recently started doing this with my farmers market items! 
8. Make your bed as soon as you rise. This has truly worked for me! I just feel more structured when my bed is made!
9. Open your mail as it comes in and put in where it belongs.
10. If it's hard for you to get dressed in the morning, it's time to streamline your closet. It's time to organize, rotate, and donate! Clothes, shoes, jackets, bags, etc. Pick up the latest style magazine, think about your personal style, filter through your basics and make a list of items you might need. Think of your clothes as a reflection of you and your mood. Remember that Spring is happy and colorful! 

Think of those hot spots and stagnant spaces that just keep collecting clutter and before you know it they become little piles. Lets clear those little piles! The hot spots are high traffic areas like the front door where you take off your shoes, the entry way, dining room table or kitchen counter. The stagnant spaces are out of the way areas like closets, the attic (my attic is horrible!), basement and drawers. Organize hot spots everyday and work on a stagnant space each weekend. (Put on some music and try what's called the 15 minute tidy!) 

Start clearing the spaces around you, clear the energy that surrounds you, and relish in a beautiful clean space! 

This blog post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany

For more WELLNESS topics, click HERE!

Crafts - DIY Purse Hook

Handbag Hook

There are a MILLION car purse hooks out there.  Some are great, other's not so much.  The hook that I use works for me.  Maybe it will work for you too.

S Shapes Caribiner

The hook that I use is a simple S shaped carabiner.  Carabiners are available pretty much anywhere (google, hardware stores, Target or craft stores).  I paid $3.95 for mine at LL Bean.  The most important consideration is the weight limit.  My hook holds up to 25 lbs.  That's MORE than enough to support my purse.

Clip one end to the headrest

Here's how it works.  Clip one end on the pole of the headrest.

Then clip on your bag.  That's it!

Now add your purse

I like my bag to hang in the front seat so that I have easy access to my purse while I'm driving.

Purse hanging in the front seat.

But say I need to pick up a friend or one of the kids.  I can easily swing the purse around so that it hangs in the back seat.

Purse hanging in the back seat.

That's it!

Here are the things I like best about this hook:

* It's nearly invisible when its not in use.
* It's easy to put on and take off.
* It doesn't need to be removed when it's not in use.
* It will not go flying if you need to stop short.

Other Options:

There are other car hook options available.  Here are a few:

Stay Put Purse Hook

The Stay Put Purse Hook is a nice option, but it must be removed if you have a passenger.

Car Go Purse Hook

I LOVE the Cargo handbag hook.  I think it's pretty and easy to use.  Cost is $30 each.

Handbag Handcuff

The Handbag Handcuff is the first purse hook I ever saw.  I loved the idea for decided to create my own version.  This product is available for $39.

All of these products are designed and sold my women for women.  If you find that you like or want the Car Go, Handbag Handcuff or the Stay Put hook I encourage to support these smart business women!

This post is courtesy of Mocha Kathy W.
For more Crafty ideas, CLICK HERE!

Fab Friday: Faux Fur Season

Good Morning, Mochas!

Thanks God it’s Fabulous Friday!  It’s hard not to feel great about the day when your week is basically done.  I have to admit though, that the current weather does take some of the wind out of my sails.  I mean, this morning I saw the weatherman say that typically we are in the 40’s right now but for whatever reason, this week we are stuck in the teens.  Arrgghh!  40 degrees sounds downright tropical right now!

But instead of bemoaning the situation, I have a crazy suggestion.  Now is the perfect time to buy fur – faux fur!  There are three great reasons: 1) It’s the end of winter season and you can find great deals on some really amazing looking faux pieces; 2) It’s a great time to use those end of season savings to buy a gorgeous look that you can rock through the next winter; and, 3) because faux fur is usually lighter than a real fur, you can still wear it comfortably through early spring.  Faux furs make great transitional pieces, they can add a dramatic punch to your wardrobe, and they allow you to step outside your fashion comfort zone without too much of an investment.

Now when I say faux fur, I am not speaking solely about full-length coats and jackets.  Think fun oversized hats, neck wraps or shawls, gloves, vests, etc.  It can make just as much of a statement when worn as an accent piece.  And remember, faux fur can be worn as casually or formally as you like.  Throw on your fur jacket with a pair of skinny jeans, white T and some heels, and strut your stuff!  And finally, when searching for your perfect faux piece, look for items that don’t shed easily.  If trying on in person, run your hands over it in both directions several times to see how much “fur” it looses, and wear a dark, solid colored shirt to check for transfer.  Also, if shopping online, read the reviews!  Buyer comments are an online shoppers best friend.

 

This winter may last forever, but that’s ok.  We can choose to have fun with the season and not let it get the best of us.  Yes its 15 degrees outside when it should be 40.  So what!  Use the cold weather as an excuse to have some fashion fun and show these frozen temps who’s really ice cold!

Stay Fabulous, Ladies!

MML,

Otise

This post is courtesy of Mocha Otise

For more FAB Friday posts, click HERE!

Wellness: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Happy Wednesday Mochas!!

I know the weather is not letting up. It's cold and all the ice on the ground just makes it feel like it's colder! I have something that will cheer you up, make you feel better if you're sick, or if you just feel like you want some hot home cooking! Being married to a Jamaican, I have become accustomed to making and enjoying soups. It has become our weekend ritual and makes the house smell warm and lovely! 

Here is a chicken soup that is simple and easy to create! 

Chicken Soup Recipe:

In a large pot pour in 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil. 

Sauté chopped 1/2 onion, 1/2 green bellpepper, 1/2 cup garlic, 1/2 bag baby carrots, and 3 stalks of celery. Season veggies with 4 nice sprinkles of lawrys seasoning salt, black pepper, onion powder and cumin. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes until cooked.

Add water to fill pot 3/4 to the top. Add Jamaican grace chicken soup seasoning packet (can be found in Jamaican section at stop n shop for $1.09) Stir. Bring to boil.

Add 2 peeled and chopped white potatoes and 1 sweet potato. Boil.

In a separate medium bowl, mix @1cup flour, sprinkled salt and water to moisten the flour. Kneed flour to make dumpling balls...drop balls in soup. Your mini can help with this part! Erin loves rolling the dough into little balls with her hands! 

Chop and peel skin off store bought, pre-cooked, plain, all natural, rotisserie chicken breasts (saves time and costs $5-$8). Add to soup. (Eat or give hubby the other chicken parts with another meal!)

Chop 1 cup organic spinach. Add to soup with 4 drops of Tabasco hot sauce!!

Cover with lid. Stir occasionally. Let everything simmer for about 45 minutes. 

For more chicken soup and stew recipes check out marthastewart.com and search 25 chicken soup recipes.

If you have a recipe you would like to share, please feel free to upload it to our "Recipes" file on the yahoo groups list serve!!

Be Well. Enjoy! 

This blog post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

For more Wellness Topics click HERE.

For more recipes, click HERE.

Cooking - 30 Second Brownie

30 Second Brownie!

This little brownie is just a bit of sweetness.  Perfect for dessert or a little midnight snack.  This recipe is so easy that there's really not much to say.  I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Gather dry ingredients

Carob chips are optional (and delicious)

All mixed up

Spray jar to prevent sticking

Ready to bake

cook for 30 seconds

Done!



One more thing!

Ready to eat!

Yum!

30 Second Brownie

2 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 carob (or chocolate) chips (optional)

Pinch salt

2 tablespoons milk  (non-dairy milk is fine)

1 teaspoon oil (canola or coconut)

Drop of vanilla extract

Spray a coffee cup or ramekin with vegetable cooking spray.  In the cup combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until no lumps remain.  Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.  Stir in chips (optional)

Bake in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.  You may need to add 5 more seconds (maybe 5 more after that, depending on your microwave)… but don’t be tempted to overcook or it will be rubbery!

 It should be moist on the bottom and will continue cooking as it sets.

Serve with chocolate sauce…a sprinkle of powdered sugar…whipped cream or eat plain as a brownie.

This post is courtesy of Mocha Kathy.

For more recipes, CLICK here!