Our Next Home Improvement Project

Welcome to my house! That's it back in May 2014 before we bought it and did some major home improvements to it. Today, it looks like this and that's only the outside.  Inside well, watch this video to get the full story. Honestly, our bank helped us out a lot with getting the big items done.  From a new HVAC system to mold remediation we had our hands full even before we moved in. We all have home improvement projects we would like or need to do. Whether you’re looking to have a kitchen remodeling project with granite counter installation, recessed lighting and a new cooktop, getting a new Commercial Stucco Installation, or creating a backyard oasis with a firepit or even add an addition, with a home equity line of credit, you can start your “someday” project today.  Hear our … [Read more...]

Easy Halloween Costumes for Women

Halloween is just around the corner. As an avid pop culture geek I created two easy Halloween costumes for women straight from today's TV line up. Be glam or two-dimensional with these two ideas. You might even be able to find the items right in your own closet.     Scream Queens Halloween Costume by ubackdrop featuring fall home decor Chanel #3 is my favorite character on Scream Queens.  Her deadpan stare and coordinated earmuffs never fail to make me laugh.  Billie Lourd makes the show. SHOP THE LOOK for Chanel #3 Silk Bathrobe (similar)/Fur Heels (similar)/Earmuffs (similar)/Statement Necklace (similar)   Easy Halloween Costume from Pop Culture by victoriamason featuring plush beach towels Linda, the embarrassing mother from the hit show Bob's … [Read more...]

10 Things You Might Not Know About Me

The Mummy Chronicles celebrates its ELEVENTH birthday this month, which I guess makes me older than dirt in the blogging world. When I saw this '10 Things' post by Johanna a few weeks ago it reminded me of the old-school blogging days and my Generation X desperate need for nostalgia kicked in and I knew I wanted to do it too.  Did you know that back in the day we used to weekly themes  on our blogs as a group?  We still do! TMC was once  a very personal blog about pregnancy and motherhood with reviews thrown in.  Over time it evolved into a lifestyle space.  So here goes without further fanfare and a look beyond the curtain that isn't about an ootd- 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me Car blogging fell into my lap courtesy of a fellow blogger and reader who worked in the … [Read more...]

Fire Safety with Sparky’s Firehouse

This is post is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and Sparky.org. Fire Prevention Week is just around the corner, October 9-15, 2016 to be exact.  That means the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is debuting the highly entertaining and informative Sparky's Firehouse app.  Get the word out to teachers gearing up to teach your kiddos at all grade levels the importance of fire prevention and safety and cue adorable plastic hats atop their heads as they climb off the bus.  In our house we have a child at every level from kindergarten to the end of elementary school.  I try to teach them about fire protection and so do their teachers, but we all need a little help sometimes too. That's why we frequently break out the Sparky's Firehouse app from the NFPA. Even … [Read more...]

Summer Gems with Garnet Hill

*Disclosure: TMC was not compensated for this post.  Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are 100% my own.   A Rhode Island specialty: the clamcake Growing up in the southern part of Rhode Island meant a lot of things.  Summer was a golden time abundant with summer gems.  Pristine beaches punctuated with salty air that blew warm and damp after long frigid winters.  Everything tastes better in summertime, am I right? One of my favorite parts of summer in Rhode Island was and still is the crunchy on the outside doughy and soft on the inside: clamcake.  Fry up the white cornmeal mixture tossed with quahogs (that's a clam to you non-RI folks) and add a little bit of salt before noshing.  Bliss! To me, it is a bite of summer each and every time I eat one.  Now that I … [Read more...]

Making a Break for It

Source: thebellemethod.com It's been brewing in the back of my brain and at the forefront of my heart for a long time now. I need to start making a break for it. For a few months there's been this cadence thrumming along telling me that I need to take time some time off.  That what is really important is for me to slow down.  To take the summer off (OK, maybe not the WHOLE summer) and just be with my family, stop feeling run down and just be more present, which sounds like a whole lot of BS, but it is true. #simplify #icantbelieveijusthashtaggedthat #bless   Truthfully, it scares the living daylights out of me.  I've never done it. I've been blogging and working from home for 10 years now and I can't quite wrap my brain around how this will work but... Source: … [Read more...]

The #writegift this Father’s Day

*Disclosure: TMC was compensated for this post.  Products received are for review purposes only and opinions are 100% my own.  Translucent Titian red lacquer featuring Iron Man design details and 23KT gold-plated appointments. It is of no surprise to anyone that many gift-giving opportunities in our family end up including a super hero of some sort.  The girls and I are giving H the #writegift this Father's Day. It is his own Iron Man ballpoint pen from Cross. A #superpen, if you will.  The man is #teamironman vs. my #teamcap and H is no ordinary father and a Cross pen is no ordinary pen. Available in rollerball, ballpoint and stylus versions you can choose from one of three designs: Captain America, Iron Man and Spiderman.  The choice is yours and there is a Tech II version as well … [Read more...]

Colorful Affirmations for Mom

Mother's Day is just around the corner and with it I couldn't resist sharing this set of colorful affirmations for mom coloring pages from creator Sarah Renae Clark, a Melbourne based mother to a little 11 month old boy. They had a difficult start and Sarah ended up dealing with postnatal depression (PPD) on and off in the first few months.  I can relate. Twice. She found that during that time, one of the biggest things that got her through was being creative again. Sarah started drawing and creating coloring books to help herself on the hard days, but the books she created have now been able to help other mothers too. I love to color and I love this idea! She even created a coloring page for me. Now TMC readers can get 15% off her entire digital store until 6/30/16 (It … [Read more...]

#TeamCap Fashion

*Disclosure: Compensation is received through affiliate links.  All opinions are 100% my own. I know, I can hardly believe it either. Here it is May the 4th and I'm showing off looks my #TeamCap fashion based on Captain America by Marvel Comics (in theaters May 6).  Who would have thought this day would ever come? When something as good as what Marvel is doing with Captain America is happening it cannot be denied. It's just that counting-down-the-days-awesome. I couldn't stop the excitement that's been building up regarding the new Civil War movie even if I felt I was breaking bad with my first love, DC Comics. When you have to pick sides I'm obviously going to go with the one who feels the government shouldn't dictate how you use your power. #TeamCap all the … [Read more...]

Daytripping at National Harbor

Sometimes you just need to get away, even if it is just for a day.  My day to day life of working on the blog, with H and our real estate business, taking care of three kids and all that those kiddos entails is no easy feat.  Throw in the fact that sometimes I need to sleep, eat and maybe get a little exercise in so I can handle all those above mentioned things and I can be one burned out woman.  I needed an escape from the norm.  I needed to soak in some sights, good food, and a bit of relaxation. There was only one place to go. Source: Victoria Mason The National Harbor and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.  Located on the Potomac River it is a gorgeous mix of restaurants, shops, outdoor spaces to play, dream and while away the day.  If you are local you know … [Read more...]