Flutter by maggiebags on Polyvore.com
“Flutter” featuring Maggie Bags Butterfly Bag in Garnet. #MaggieBags #handbags #purses #fashion #seatbelt #ootd
Foodie Friday: Ultimate Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
March 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Editor’s note: This Foodie Friday we have a guest post from blogger Lady Tyrneathem of the blog Tyrneathem. She has written several recipe posts in the past and they’ve all been a big hit!
There is a dish that I have encountered at many potlucks, family reunions, and holiday gatherings. Every person makes it slightly different than the next. I decided to take my favorite features of each version that I enjoyed to concoct the “ultimate” in hashbrown casseroles.
Casserole Ingredients
- 1 package Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes (2 pounds), thawed
- ½ cup Melted Butter
- 1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (10.75 ounce)
- 1 container Sour Cream (8 ounce)
- 1 small Onion, grated
- 3 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping Ingredients
- 1 cup cornflakes cereal crushed down to 1/2 cup
- ¼ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350°.
Casserole Prep
Step One: Stir or whisk together the melted butter, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream until well blended.
Step Two: Mix in the shredded cheese and onion until well incorporated.
Step Three: Mix in the hashbrowns, salt, and pepper until well incorporated. Step Four: Spread evenly into a 13×9 glass baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. 
Topping Prep
Step One: Melt butter in a small frying pan on medium-high heat.
Step Two: Sauté crushed cornflakes in butter until lightly toasted.
Step Three: Spread cornflakes evenly over top of casserole. Bake casserole uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes. It should be hot and bubbly and lightly browned; adjust cooking time as necessary for your oven. Let set for 5 minutes before serving. 
Do you have a hashbrown casserole recipe that you love? Share it with us!
~Lady Tyrneathem
Lady Tyrneathem is a stay-at-home mom to her three-year-old prince. She is also wife to her romantic knight in mostly-shining armor. They all reside somewhere in Wisconsin in a castle guarded by two Siberian cats. The cast of characters above are woven through her posts about life, weight loss, crafts, and whatever else pops into that busy brain! The family’s obsession with dragons inspired the name of the blog… Tyrneathem means “Children of the Dragons.”
Mint Multi
March 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Mint Multi by maggiebags on Polyvore.com
“Mint Multi” created by Maggie Bags on Polyvore. Featuring Maggie Bags Bailey Bag in Sandy Seafoam. #MaggieBags #handbags #purses #fashion #seatbelt #ootd #springfashion
How to Foster a Love of Literacy in Your Kids
March 26, 2014 By 2 Comments
When I was a teacher, I never got over being shocked at kids who said they didn’t like to read. Or that books were boring. Or too hard.
I wondered how this could BE? I definitely think it goes back to messages and attitudes kids get about books when they are younger.
Here’s how we’re fostering a love of literacy in our kids:
- Give books as gifts. And not just for birthdays. My favorite memories as a child were when my dad would come home from work, and I’d spy a small white bag from the bookstore under his arm! It always meant a new Bobbsey Twin or Nancy Drew book! I looked forward to those surprise treats. Our parents also used to buy us new books for road trips.
- Let your kids see you reading. Read while you have a cup of coffee, read while they’re playing next to you. Even if you’re not really into books, read the newspaper, a magazine, a cookbook. Let them see you turning pages, looking forward to getting back to your book, marking pages you like with pencil or a post it.
- Talk about books. When we read Maisie Dresses Up, I remind him about his dress up bin and ask what his favorite costume is. Point out your favorite books from your childhood. Find any way to connect your child’s books with their world.
- Visit libraries and bookstores.
- Make time for book reading. Turn off the televisions and devices regularly to enjoy book time.
- Make reading a priority as soon as possible; it’s harder to introduce reading for pleasure when kids are older and busier. Curling up with a good book is easier when there’s no distractions.
- Have books everywhere. Get those plastic books for the bath. Stack books on end tables, leave a few in the car, pack one in your purse or the diaper bag. When kids see their books everywhere, it gives them more opportunities to stop and pick it up!
These seven tips are just a few of the ways you can foster a love of literacy in your kids. Keeping a positive attitude about books and reading, providing high visibility and importance for books in your home is the best way to encourage your kids to love reading too!
How do you enjoy books in your family?
~Julie Kieras, A Year With Mom and Dad
Julie is a New England family lifestyle blogger who loves partnering with her hubby to wrangle and entertain two inquisitive boys. She shares food, parenting, and educational ideas on her blog A Year With Mom and Dad.
Floral Top
March 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Floral Top by maggiebags on Polyvore.com
“Floral Top” featuring Maggie Bags Tote of Many Colors zipper top in Maraschino combo. #MaggieBags #handbags #purses #fashion #seatbelt #ootd
Grommet
March 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Grommet by maggiebags on Polyvore.com
“Grommet” is our outfit of the day featuring Maggie Bags SoHo Satchel in Cranberry. #MaggieBags #handbags #purses #fashion #seatbelt #ootd
Foodie Friday: Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
March 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
TGIF! Calling all foodies - you won’t want to miss this week’s Foodie Friday. Today I’m bringing you this recipe for stuffed mushrooms that is to die for. These can be made to be low-carb as well, and that’s a big plus. This is one of my favorite new recipes and a huge favorite with my family.
Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large white mushrooms
- 1 T. garlic, minced
- 1 T. olive oil
- 1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1 T. chives
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (use toasted Ezekiel bread if making low-carb)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Remove stems from mushrooms. Use a small pairing knife to carve out the top of the stem if removing the stem didn’t leave a small indention in the mushroom cap. Put mushrooms into casserole dishes lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
3. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps. Bake for 10-15 minutes until tops are brown.
These took almost no time at all and were a great little appetizer. Some recipes call for chopping up the stem and using that in the mixture. Since the stems I removed were so tough, I opted not to. I used large, white mushrooms but you could use any type of mushroom that has a little place for stuffing when the stem is removed.
What do you make when you need a quick appetizer?
~Laura Owens, Maggie Bags
If you have ever posted a Facebook comment, retweeted a Maggie Bags™ tweet or seen one of our super cute sets on Polyvore then you have “met” Laura. Laura is all things social media for Maggie Bags™. Her passion is to connect with our customers in interesting and creative ways. When she is not connecting at work she is connecting with her family, relaxing with yoga or blogging from her cat’s point of view.
Staff Picks: Our Favorite Beauty Products
March 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment
When you have a mostly female office, you have something special: the trading of beauty secrets. On a regular basis you’ll hear us talking about our favorite beauty products, whether for hair, skin or makeup. After hearing about Julie’s secret hair weapon and Missy’s favorite eyeshadow primer, I knew we needed to share these favorite products on a blog post.
The ladies here at Adrian’s Inc, Maggie Bags’ parent company, differ widely in their looks. We have everything from those who rarely wear makeup or style their hair to those of us wouldn’t want to leave the house without our “face on” (raises hand!) Ready? Here’s each person’s favorite beauty product:
Penny: It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation
Penny loves her Celebration Foundation! She says “It goes on smoothly and stays on all day.”
Penny Loves Celebration Foundation. Penny is Maggie Bags’ customer service lead.
Kerri: AHAVA Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream
Kerri doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, but she can’t live without her AHAVA hand cream! She told me “I like that it isn’t greasy and soaks in well. It makes my hands feel soft and smooth.”
Kerri is the Senior Marketing Director for Maggie Bags.
Amy: Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes
What does Amy love about this Clinique eyeliner? “It goes on so smoothly and that makes it easy to apply,” she says.
Amy works for Maggie Bags’ sister company, TN Webbing.
Sheri: Covergirl Queen Collection Lip Color
Sheri is our resident lipstick specialist. You will rarely see her without a beautiful, bright lip color on. Here she is with her Covergirl lipstick in the color “Impassion.”
Sheri works for Maggie Bags’ sister company, TN Webbing. She and Amy share an office. :)
Missy: MAC Prep + Prime Eye
Missy never leaves home with our her Prep + Prime! “I swear by this stuff and it keeps my eyeshadow from creasing,” she says.
Missy is the first person to greet everyone who walks through the doors of Maggie Bags’ parent company, Adrian’s Inc.
Callie: Earth Science Hair Masque, MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Scrub, Dr. Hauschka Regenerating Day Cream
Callie, you were only supposed to pick one! It’s ok though because all three of these products do the trick. Callie is our resident wellness and natural products ambassador. Callie told me, “I use the hair masque to make my long hair keep it’s lustre, the fruit enzyme scrub to keep my skin shiny and bright, and the day cream is the best overall face moisturizer I’ve ever used.”
Callie is Maggie Bags’ creative director and senior designer.
Melissa: Cailyn Linefix Gel Eyeliner
“I love that the brush is built into the bottle, so that you don’t have to store it separately. It is so smooth!” Melissa says about this gel eyeliner.
Melissa is the go-to person for Maggie Bags’ sister company, Bednet.
Julie: Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam
Julie says this styling foam really beefs up her hair without weighing it down. “I use it everyday!” she told me.
Julie is Maggie Bags’ national sales manager. She always wears a smile!
Laura (that’s me!) - Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick
“This is by far the creamiest lipstick I’ve ever tried!” I love many Smashbox products, and this lipstick is no different. The color is called “Delightful” and it’s a pink-neutral - my favorite!
Laura is Maggie Bags’ online marketing coordinator and loves interacting with our customers and fans on social media.
Ok - your turn. What are some of your favorite beauty products?
~Laura Owens, Maggie Bags
If you have ever posted a Facebook comment, retweeted a Maggie Bags™ tweet or seen one of our super cute sets on Polyvore then you have “met” Laura. Laura is all things social media for Maggie Bags™. Her passion is to connect with our customers in interesting and creative ways. When she is not connecting at work she is connecting with her family, relaxing with yoga or blogging from her cat’s point of view.
Just Neutral
March 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Just Neutral by maggiebags on Polyvore.com
“Just Neutral” created on Polyvore. Featuring Maggie Bags Campus Tote in Sand Mirrored combo. #ootd
Getting Your Family Ready for Spring!
March 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Getting Your Family Ready for Spring!
If you’re in a four (or three) season area, March is a pivotal month. While we wait for truly warm weather, the kind that lets us shed coats and boots and gloves, we try to build on the excitement of each slightly warmer day. We watch the melting snow, noticing more deer in the backyard, and squirrels hoping around. We spied our first robin the other day, and now I can’t wait to guide the boys towards spotting crocuses in the front yard.
I heard the Tractor Supply company has baby chicks and ducks in stock. Field trips are a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the happy sounds of chicks!
Save those egg cartons because March is the perfect month to start some seeds sprouting. Kids love to get their little fingers into the dirt. Beans sprout quickly so they can see some fast results. Lettuce and radishes are great cold weather crops so plant those too and they can go outside right after the last frost!
Since we’re up north, we try to find some maple sugaring houses to watch sap boiled off into sugar.
We’re committing to getting out of doors more this year and earlier. I’ve got the raincoats and boots lined up so even a little spring rain can’t dampen our enthusiasm!
As soon as it’s not too raw out, we like to pack a beach bag and head to a local spot to fly kites and have a picnic. You can’t go in the water yet up here in New England, but hopping on rocks and looking in tidepools is still fun!
I’m sure each area of the country has their own signs of spring to look forward to and enjoy with the kids.
What do you do in your family during spring?
~Julie Kieras, A Year With Mom and Dad
Julie is a New England family lifestyle blogger who loves partnering with her hubby to wrangle and entertain two inquisitive boys. She shares food, parenting, and educational ideas on her blog A Year With Mom and Dad.
