Love my box of winter essentials from @themotherhood #moms4jnjconsumer #ad

A video posted by Aracely Worley (@daytrippingmom) on Nov 11, 2014 at 7:10pm PST

Disclosure: This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

The holiday season is here. I love this time of year. I love the decorations, the parties, and of course the weather! Southern California is drenched and I love it! There is nothing quite like sitting by the fireplace and listening to the rain outside. It’s also the time of year when we are constantly on the go. It feels like I’m rushing from one holiday performance to another. That’s why I keep a dress, shoes, and some beauty essentials that I can’t live without in my car. It makes going from one event to another a cinch! I’m ready to go.

I  carry lipstick and mascara wherever I go. I’m currently obsessed with my Neutrogena Waterproof Mascara. It’s perfect for days like today! I feel like I can go anywhere, as long as I have my favorite shade of lipstick and mascara. I also have added the Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector to my stash. It’s perfect addition to my moisturizer and my makeup routine. It helps take me from a day to night look.

Here is a list of my holiday essential stash. I’m telling you it’s been life saving to have this stash in my car.

• Shawl
• Black Dress
• Flats
• Mascara
• Lipstick
• Tone Corrector
• Moisturizer
• Hair Pins
• Mouthwash
• Small Envelope Bag
• Pain Reliever
• Deodorant

Oh and I almost forgot.  I also have a couple of small gift bags with tissue paper, wrapping paper, and of course tape!

If you’re looking to create your own little essential stash for your car and to be ready for those holiday parties/events, head over to the Healthy Essentials Website, for over $35 in savings. The Healthy Essentials website offers great tips and tools to help you get through this busy time of the year. You’ll find everything from Holiday Party-Pretty to Finding the perfect Winter Vacation Destination.

Milk is a big part of our tradiciones!

Disclosure : This is part of a sponsored collaboration with the California Milk Processor Board and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

This time of year is all about making memories. We have traditions that have passed on from one generation to another, like displaying a nacimiento or nativity scene for our family. We also have new traditions, like Elf on the Shelf. It’s a wonderful time of year and I love everything about it. I love the music, the lights, and of course the food and drinks. Our family is definitely under the belief that “What you say with a glass of milk lasts forever”. We love our holiday drinks and they all include leche!

I love everything about this time of year!

My abuelita used to make champurado, a Mexican hot cocoa with milk, cinnamon, and chocolate. I’ve tried replicating the recipe, but I still have not mastered it. My mama has encouraged me to try my own spin on some of our favorite holiday recipes. This year, we will be celebrating Noche Buena or Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my home. I’m entertaining at home and we’ve decided to do a special drink. I plan on making my coveted crockpot hot chocolate. My mami loves it and wants me to make it this year. It’s not quite my abuela’s recipe, but it reminds us of her and her famous champurado! As they say,

Here’s what you need to make my favorite holiday drink

Crockpot Hot Chocolate 

Four Simple Ingredients!

• 8 cups of milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2 and a half cups of chocolate chips(milk chocolate)
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

1. Stir together  milk, vanilla,condensed milk,  and chocolate chips in your crock pot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted.
3. Stir before serving
4. Keep on warm
5. Enjoy!!!

It’s a very easy recipe to follow. It’s so easy that I think I’m going to let my almost 10 year old daughter make it. Milk Fuels a Better Future and my little budding chef is going to love one more recipe to add to her repertoire!

Photo Challenge! 

Starting tomorrow, December 10th and going through December 20th, make sure to participate in the Toma Leche Instagram “Milk Fuels a Better Future” Photo a Day Challenge. Follow the daily challenges/themes and create some holiday images. For additional info make sure to check out Toma Leche’s on Facebook and Twitter.