Nescafe with Coffee-mate Review #NescafeCoffeeMate

Monday, December 29, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Smiley360 to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

I love coffee.  I drink at least a cup or two each day.  It helps get me going in the morning and it also helps me unwind in the evening.  I usually drink brewed coffee, from either my drip coffeemaker or my Keurig.  It's very rare for me to drink instant coffee.  While convenient to use, instant coffees usually don't taste as good as brewed coffee.  At least not for me.

Recently, I had the chance to try Nescafe with Coffee-mate.  It's a new 2-in-1 that combines Nescafe instant coffee with Nescafe Coffee-mate creamer.  It's available in three flavors:

  • French Vanilla
  • Hazelnut
  • Sweet & Creamy Original

$400 Walmart Gift Card Giveaway - Ends 1/3

Saturday, December 20, 2014


DISCLOSURE:  This giveaway is sponsored by All About Parents.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.

Money can be tight this time of year.  That's why I'm so excited to bring you this giveaway for a $400 Walmart gift code!  This would be a great start for the New Year for the winner!  Good luck!

Welcome To The Years End $400 Walmart Gift Code Giveaway!

Hosted By
&

Well everyone, it's finally time to set those New Year resolutions, party like it's 1999, and tell the one you love the most what they truly mean to you. What better way to ring in the New Year than with a giveaway?
This giveaway will run from 12/20/14~1/3/15. One lucky winner will win a $400 gift code sent right to their inbox!
Everyone have a safe and happy New Year! From our families to yours!

Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer Review

Thursday, December 18, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free product from Klout to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

It's the season for colds and the flu.  Each of my kids have already been sick at least once since school started at the end of August.  That means coughs, sneezing, runny noses and fevers.  Sometimes, it can be a struggle to get a temperature reading on my kids -- especially, the baby.  We have been using an external thermometer that you swipe on the child's forehead.  Sometimes she cooperates.  Other times she fights me.  But, if you don't do it correctly, then you don't get an accurate reading.

So, I was pretty excited to try out the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer!  It would be great to not even have to touch my daughter's forehead and still get a good reading!  I could even do it when she's asleep without fear of waking her up!

What's In The Box?

  • The Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer
  • Protective Cap
  • 2 AA batteries

#RSVPInStyler Glam Squad Girls' Night

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Vocalpoint to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own.

I spend a lot of time on my hair.  It's thick and has a slight wave.  It's not wavy enough, though, to style curly and it isn't straight enough to just let it air dry.  It gets so frizzy.  I usually have to blow dry it straight and then run a flat iron over it to make it smooth and less poufy.

Recently, I had the opportunity to host a Girls' Night and try out three  hair styling tools from InStyler.  I've never tried any of their products, but I have seen  the infomercials for the original InStyler Max styling tool.  I thought it looked interesting, but wasn't sure it would be something that would work for my hair.

Sleep Number SleepIQ Technology Review

Monday, December 15, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free Sleep Number CoolFit Comfort Pillow from Smiley360 in exchange for visiting the Sleep Number store and reviewing the SleepIQ technology. All opinions are my own.

I don't sleep very well at night.  My mattress is over 10 years old and my kids are constantly jumping on it.  It's just not as comfortable as it used to be.  Plus, I cosleep with my 19-month-old and she still wakes up to nurse at night.

So, when I was offered the chance to try out the new Sleep Number beds, I jumped at the opportunity.   I've passed by the Sleep Number store numerous times, but have only been in once. A few years ago, I tried out one of the beds to see what my Sleep Number was.  My husband and I were given a remote that we could use to increase or decrease the firmness of the bed to see what we found to be most comfortable.  For me, a 35 felt great. My husband preferred something more firm.  I believe his was in the 70's!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Baltimore, MD - Review

Thursday, December 11, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com I received free admission in exchange for a review.  No further compensation was provided.   All opinions are my own.

As many times as we've been in the vicinity of a Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, we've never had the chance to actually visit one.  Recently, we got the opportunity to go to the one in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It opened in the summer of 2012 in the Light Street Pavilion of the Harborplace waterfront complex.

It's not hard to miss.  There's a giant sea serpent named Chessie wrapped around the front facade. My boys weren't really sure what to expect when we told them we would be visiting a Ripley's museum.  But, as we walked towards the museum, I could see their excitement building.

We visited on a cold, rainy Saturday morning.  Visiting the museum then seemed like the logical thing to do.  The museum had only been open about an hour, so it wasn't too busy yet.  There were several people just hanging out outside, looking at the exhibits in the doorway.  There's a 12-foot tall sculpture of the Transformer Bumblebee made entirely of scrap car parts.  I didn't manage to get a picture, though, since there were several people blocking him!  If you look hard at the picture above, you can see him below Chessie's tail.

Secret Outlast Completely Clean Clear Gel Deodorant Review

Monday, December 8, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free product from BzzAgent to try and review.  All opinions are my own.

I actually reviewed Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant about a year and a half ago.  I had no problems with it and gave it a positive review.  But, once my sample ran out, I never bought it again.  I had other samples of different brands to use and hadn't needed to buy any until recently.  So, I was pretty happy to get the chance to try Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant again.  Especially, since I was down to my last thing of  deodorant.

I'm usually not very brand loyal when it comes to deodorant.    Often, I'll use one brand of deodorant and it would fine for a few weeks.  But, then all of a sudden, it would just stop working.  I'd start getting odor again, even though I wasn't changing anything about how I was using it.  So, I'd have to switch to a different brand.  That would work for a little while and then again I'd have to switch.

When I buy deodorant, I normally choose an invisible solid.  I like that they go on smoothly and don't usually leave any white marks on my clothes.  In the past, I've usually steered away from gel deodorants.  They usually don't go on very evenly and the majority of the ones I had tried in the past didn't go on clear.  They would dry clear, but you'd have to wait for it to dry.  Plus, it took a little while for the deodorant to dry.  So, I'd have to wait to get dressed while it dried.

Scotties Facial Tissue Review #ScottiesTreesRock

Sunday, December 7, 2014

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Smiley360 and Scotties to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

Our house is never without facial tissues.  There's a box in pretty much every room of the house.  They're in the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the living room and even the office.  We haven't really been brand loyal.  We've used Kleenex, Puffs, and various store brands.  One brand we've never used before (at least I don't think), though, is Scotties brand facial tissues.

Thanks to Smiley360 and Scotties, I recently had the chance to try Scotties Facial Tissues.   They sent a kit that included one box of Scotties 2-ply Facial Tissues, 2 coupons for a free box of Scotties tissues and an information sheet on the Scotties TREES ROCK program.


Scott Naturals Tube-Free Sampling #TossTheTube

Saturday, December 6, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

We've been trying to green our home and daily routines.  We buy natural and organic foods and products. We recycle and reuse as much as possible.  We use reusable shopping bags when we remember to bring them!

One place where we haven't really purchased too many green products is the bathroom. Aside from natural cleaning products, we haven't really purchased natural toilet paper.  We've tried some a couple times and it just didn't seem to be as nice.  It was kind of rough and not very strong. It was also pretty thin.

Cottonelle Deck The Stalls Holiday Party #CottonelleHoliday

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap in order to host a Cottonelle Deck The Stalls Holiday Party.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Christmas season is here! We've already put up our Christmas tree and some decorations around the house. We have a wreath up on our front door and are planning on getting the Christmas lights up this weekend.

One area, though, where I really don't do too much decorating is the bathroom.  I'll change the hand towels to something more festive and maybe use a pine-scented air freshener -- but, that's about it.  So, recently, I had the opportunity to host a Cottonelle Deck The Stalls Holiday Party, where the premise was to decorate flushable wipes dispensers!  I would have never thought to decorate them and when I told my friends and family about the party, no one was really too excited to come.

$400 Happy Holidays Giveaway - Ends 12/14

Sunday, November 30, 2014


Hosted By:
Co-Hosted By:
& last but certainly not least


DISCLOSURE:  This giveaway is sponsored by All About Parents.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

The holiday season is now in full swing! Our Christmas tree is up and Christmas shopping has begun.  So, I'm excited to bring you this great giveaway!  Two winners will each win a $100 Walmart Gift Card and a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card! That could buy so many presents! Good luck!

New Influenster App Now Available for iPhone! #InfluensterApp #Influenster

DISCLOSURE:   This post was written as part of the BlogSTAR VirtualVox program from Influenster. As a member of Influenster, I receive complimentary products to try and review.  All opinons are my own.

If you've been following the blog for awhile, then you may have seen some posts where I reviewed several products that I received through the VoxBox programs from Influenster.   In addition to the Influenster website, they now have an app that you can use when you're on the go.

For those not familiar with Influenster, it is a site where members learn about new products and share their opinions on products and experiences.  Select members are chosen to participate in VoxBox campaigns where they receive full size products to try and review.    The most active members can also earn rewards for their activities.

With the Influenster app, you can complete campaign activities, write reviews, ask questions and even scan an item's barcode to quickly pull up product reviews or ask a question about it before you buy it!


I've had a lot of fun with it so far.  I've gone around the house scanning everything I see with a bar code to see if it comes up.  I've even left some reviews on some of those products.  The more you write reviews and ask questions, the better your chances are at being picked to receive a VoxBox.

The app is currently only available for iOS.  You can download the app from the Apple App Store. The Android version should be available soon.

Our #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from MomSelect and the Walt Disney World Resort in order to host a Disney Kids Preschool Playdate.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

My family and I love all things Disney.  In fact, we just returned from a week-long visit to the Walt Disney World resort this past Sunday (our first on-property stay that I'll blog about later!).  To top off the excitement of our Disney trip, we were also chosen to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate!

Hosts had a choice of one of three themes for their party: Sophia The First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Mickey Mouse.  Since we had hosted a #DisneySide party in the past with a Mickey Mouse theme and the fact that my preschooler isn't really into Sophia, we chose Jake and the Neverland Pirates!  My 4-year-old son loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  We even did a Jake theme for his birthday party last year.

Fisher Price Ultimate Playdate - Round 2 #RSVPPlaydate

Wednesday, November 26, 2014


DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Vocalpoint in order to host a Fisher Price Ultimate Playdate.  All opinions are my own.

After having so much fun hosting the first round of Fisher Price Ultimate Playdates back in September, I was so excited to be chosen again to host a party for the second round!  Hosts were again sent two toys to review, as well as some fun party supplies.

This time I received:
  • Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair
  • Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Grey Laptop
  • T-shirts
  • Certificates
  • Gift bags
  • Coupons
  • Photo booth props
  • Napkins
  • $10 Target gift card
  • Information sheet

Clean Like A Pro With Zep #ZepCleansters

Thursday, November 20, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

I have to admit, I'm terrible at cleaning.  I am far from a domestic goddess.  My husband is actually the one who takes care of the majority of the house cleaning (as well as other household duties).  So, when it comes to household cleaning products, I'm pretty clueless.  I know the big name brands and what they're used for, but I couldn't tell you which products work best for certain cleaning tasks.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try two cleaning products from Zep.  I hadn't really heard of the brand before, other than with a sample of a floor cleaner that I received through a different site.  I ended up not even trying it and giving it away to my Mom since she has hardwood floors and we have carpet.

Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops #swissherbs

Monday, November 17, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free samples from Crowdtap to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

It's cold and flu season.  Everyone in my family has already come down with a cold, at least once.  I had one that lasted several weeks!  I hate being sick!

This week we are vacationing at Walt Disney World.  We can be kind of hard core in our touring.  We're visiting parks every day and making sure to hit Rope Drop (arriving before the park opens) so we can maximize the time spent when it's not so crowded.  That means getting up early and staying out late.  The parks can be pretty germy with kids everywhere and people touching everything.  We made sure to bring hand sanitizer with us and to wash our hands before eating.

I also brought along a pack of Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops that I was sampling.  While the drops aren't meant to prevent or treat a cold, they do restore energy with a mix of B vitamins, Swiss alpine herbs and ginseng.  Two drops provide 20% of the Adult Daily Value of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12.

Purex Crystals Aromatherapy Coupon #Giveaway - Ends 11/26

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Welcome to the Purex Crystals Aromatherapy Coupon Giveaway

Hosted by: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways 

Sponsored by: Purex


DISCLOSURE: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

I love the smell of clean laundry! And now there are so many great products out there that can make doing the laundry fun and relaxing!  I'm excited to offer you the chance to win a coupon for Purex Crystals Aromatherapy!

Purex Crystals Aromatherapy is more than an in-wash scent booster – it’s a way to express yourself and discover new joys in life. Floral and citrus scents have been blended with aromatherapy essential oils to infuse your clothing with indulgent and refreshing aromas that revitalize your spirit.

Folgers Flavors Review #FolgersFans

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I love coffee.  I probably drink at least two cups a day. Sometimes more, if I'm really tired.  If I don't start my day with coffee, then I'm usually sluggish and not as alert during the day.

We usually don't buy flavored coffees in our household.  I find they don't taste as good as what you can get at the coffee shop.  We tend to stick with medium to dark roasts.  My husband just adds a little bit of cream, while I like to add cream and something to sweeten the coffee a little -- usually Splenda or sugar.  But, when we go to somewhere like Starbucks, I'll order something flavored, like a Caramel Macchiato or a Peppermint Mocha.

$350 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway - Ends 11/17

Monday, November 3, 2014

Welcome to the Fan's Choice $350 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Hosted by ~ All About Parents
~ Co-Hosted by ~
and last but certainly not least


DISCLOSURE:  This giveaway is sponsored by All About Parents.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

I'm so excited to bring you this amazing giveaway! With Christmas just around the corner, this would be so helpful with buying gifts for your loved ones and friends! Good luck! 

This giveaway will run from November 3rd - November 17th 4:00 AM.
Deb asked her fans what was the next giveaway they wanted. Gift cards or money was the number one thing. So Deb from All About Parents made it happen!
There are a lot of amazing bloggers joining in on this giveaway! Make sure you show them some extra special love!
This should cover some Christmas presents or what ever else you want or need!
I hope everyone has fun and good luck!
Enjoy!




Disclosure: Deb from All About Parents is sponsoring this giveaway herself.   If you should have any questions about this giveaway,  please feel free to ask. In no way is this giveaway associated with Amazon, Facebook or any other social media site you might see it on. Thanks for participating!

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - Review #Birchbloggers #BirchboxBookClub

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free book from Birchbox as part of the Birchbox Book Club to read and review.  All opinions are my own.

I'm not really much of a reader.  When this book arrived and I started reading it, my kids stared at me in disbelief.  Are you reading a book??  They hardly ever see me reading a bookLet alone a 458-page hardcover book!

Over the summer, I had seen Big Little Lies mentioned on many Top Summer Reads lists.  So, when I was offered the chance to read and review the book, I was excited! If I was going to be reading a book, at least it was going to be good!

I hadn't seen or read anything from Liane Moriarty prior to receiving Big Little Lies, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I'll have to admit the size of the book was pretty intimidating.  I haven't read anything this long since the last Harry Potter book!

NCircle Entertainment Kids DVD Collection Giveaway - Ends 11/2

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Welcome to the NCircle Entertainment Kids DVD Collection Giveaway

Hosted by: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways 

Sponsored by: NCircle



DISCLOSURE: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.    

My preschooler is such a big fan of a lot of these shows offered through NCircle Entertainment.  One of his favorites right now is The Wiggles!  So, we're pretty excited to offer you the chance to win this great set of DVDs!


The Wiggles: Apples & Bananas – Join the Wiggles as they add their special Wiggles magic to favorite nursery rhymes and songs.

Krusteaz 10-Minute Flatbread House Party #KrusteazParty

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from House Party in order to host Krusteaz 10-Minute Flatbread House Party.  All opinions are my own.

I'm not that great of a cook.  There are really only a handful of dishes I can make without a recipe.  My husband, on the other hand, can take whatever we have in the house and whip up a great meal.  So, I'm always on the look out for any products that can help me make a delicious meal for the family.

I recently had the chance to host a Krusteaz 10-Minute Flatbread House Party.  I was sent a really nice party kit that included:
  • 2 boxes of Krusteaz Flatbread Mix
  • 1 coupon for a free box of Krusteaz Flatbread Mix
  • A Krusteaz branded apron
  • A Krusteaz branded timer
  • A Krusteaz pizza cutter
  • 12 coupons for guests
  • 12 recipe cards

Nickelodeon Halloween-Themed DVD Roundup Giveaway - Ends 10/31

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Welcome to the Nickelodeon Halloween Themed DVD Roundup Giveaway

Hosted by: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways 

Sponsored by: Nickelodeon


DISCLOSURE: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.    


This is an awesome prize pack of 6 Halloween DVDs from your favorite Nickelodeon characters, like Dora the Explorer and Yo Gabba Gabba!  This would be a great way to get your kids excited for Halloween!

SpongeBob SquarePants Ghouls Fools
Take a haunting, hilarious dive into Bikini Bottom and enjoy some ghostly tunes!  In addition to the double-episode, “Ghoul Fools,” go on a treasure hunt, learn to tie nifty knots and board the Flying Dutchman to haunt the Seven Seas.             
Catalogue: 891564
DVD SRP: $12.99
Special Features:
• Behind the Scenes
• “Ghoul Fools” Animatic
• Yule Log

Bobee Whale Wall Decals Giveaway - Ends 11/6

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Welcome to the Bobee Whale Wall Decal Giveaway!


DISCLOSURE: All About Parents received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

I'm so excited to offer you the chance to win a set of whale wall decals from Bobee!  When my youngest was a baby, I had wanted to get a diaper and wipe dispenser from Bobee.  They had cute decals that you could stick to the dispenser and decorate.  I never got to buy one, but now they have these cute wall decals that you can use to decorate baby's room, the bathroom or any room you want to add some fun to!

This most adorable little whale is perfect for the nursery, baby or child's room or make a splash in the bathroom. 100% guarantee the vinyl will remove without residue or damage of the wall for 2 years from purchase, or your money back!
 Make a splash! Whale stickers are the perfect way to add a bit of color and cheer up your life! Fun to add to the bathroom and won't be harmed by humidity. Decorate near the tub on tile, on the mirror by the sink or any wall. A fun way to add to a nursery aquatic decor. Perfect around a light switch, above the changing table or crib. Place next to a growth chart as your child swims up in growth.
The easily removable vinyl decals are completely safe for painted walls, glass, furniture, and most anywhere you'd like to add a splash of happiness. Remove without pulling off the paint or damaging the wall.
All Bobee decal stickers are very easy to install and take only minutes. Peel off the backing paper and position the decal on a clean, dry surface. Rub the transfer paper in place adhering the sticker to the desired location, Peel the transfer tape and admire your hard work! Instructions included.

Giveaway!
One lucky winner will win Bobee Whale Wall Decals of their very own in the color of their choice!
This giveaway will run from 10/23 through 11/6. Have fun and good luck!


Disclosure: In no way is this giveaway associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media website. If you have any questions about this giveaway please fell free to contact Deb at any time. Thanks for participating, have fun and good luck!

DIY Halloween Wreath

Wednesday, October 22, 2014


It's a little more than a week before Halloween but I'm just getting started decorating.  I've had a Mickey wreath hanging on our front door ever since we threw a #DisneySide @Home Celebration party this past winter.


I thought it was time for a change, so I decided to turn it into a Halloween wreath.  It already had the black tulle.  I figured I could take the red tulle off and replace it with orange tulle and maybe add some spiders on it.

Fast Relief with Advil Film-Coated #FastAdvil

Monday, October 20, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free product from Crowdtap to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own.

I've been a user of Advil for many years.  It's the one medication that helps to get rid of my aches and pains the fastest and the most effectively.  Other meds can take too long or just dull the pain, rather than getting rid of it completely.

Recently, Advil has introduced Advil Film-Coated Tablets.  This Advil is formulated to absorb quickly and offers the fastest pain relief among over-the-counter pain relievers currently on the market.

SportsTek Lightwear 4-in-1 Multifunction LED Headlamp Giveaway - Ends 10/29

Welcome to the SportsTek Lightwear 4-in-1 Multifunction LED Headlamp Giveaway

Hosted by: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways 

Sponsored by: SportsTek

DISCLOSURE: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

The days are getting shorter and it's getting darker earlier.  My husband, though, still likes to go for runs in the evening and I worry about his safety.  I make sure he has reflective clothes on and if it's really dark, I have him make sure to wear his headlamp.

I'm excited to offer my readers a chance to win a headlamp!  The SportsTek Lightwear 4-in-1 LED Headlamp is much more than just your basic headlamp.  You can use it in all sorts of ways -- pretty much any time you need a hands-free light source!

SportsTek Lightwear 4-in-1 LED Headlamp
  • Multi-Function Capability – Outdoor/Indoor, Water Resistant, 220 Lumens, Zoomable 
  • Great for Hiking, Biking, Kids, Reading, Military, Camping, Grilling, Backpacking, Auto Repair & More. 
  • Provides Safety and Security – Fits Around Head, Helmet, Bike or Belt. 
  • Can also be used as a spotlight and placed on a desk, countertop or floor. 
  • Lightweight, adjustable


Now for the giveaway!
One lucky person will win a SportsTek Lightwear 4 in 1 Multifunction LED Headlamp. This is open to US residents and ends 10/29/14 @ 11:59 pm EST. To enter, simply complete the tasks on the Giveaway Tools widget below and you're set to have a chance to win! Remember, you can't win if you don't enter.

Good luck and thanks for entering!
Disclaimer: Please note that SaraLee's Deals Steals and Giveaways and Stuff I Got are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.

10 Things I'm Thankful For #TDCLBlogtober14

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

For the month of October, I signed up to participate in The DC Ladies Blogtober14 Challenge.  Each day they give a writing prompt and so far, I've been failing miserably at completing the challenge!  Today's challenge was to compile a list of 10 things I'm thankful for.

For as long as I've been celebrating Thanksgiving, I don't think I've really sat down and thought about all the things that I'm thankful for.  So, I thought this would make a great post!

TEN THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR

#10 - A flexible career
I'm thankful that I've been able to work only part-time as an optometrist.  I may not be getting rich by only working on the weekends, but it allows me to be home with my kids during the week.  I love that my job is flexible and that I work only on the days that I tell them I'm available to work.  They even allow me breaks to have the baby come to the office to nurse!

Primp, Protect & Pamper with Skintimate #SkintimateHappyLegs

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Crowdtap in order to throw a #SkintimateHappyLegs party.  All opinions are my own.

I've been shaving my legs for a long time.  Yikes, now that I think about it, it's been probably about 20 years!  (Ugh, I'm getting old!)  For as long as I can remember, I've almost always used Skintimate Shave Gel when I shaved. Yes, I might have purchased some other brands from time to time, but I've always gone back to Skintimate.

Recently, I had to opportunity to share my love of Skintimate and host a #SkintimateHappyLegs Party.  I was sent a pretty nice kit that included:
  • 10 trial size bottles of Skintimate Shave Gel in Raspberry Rain
  • 10 Schick Quattro for Women Razors
  • 1 Sea Salt Scrub
  • 1 Hand and Body Lotion
  • 1 Sinful Colors Nail Polish 
  • 10 Toe Separators
I was really looking forward to hosting a spa party with my friends!

Monster High vs Angry Birds Birthday Party

Friday, October 10, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I have no relationship with any companies or brands mentioned in this post.  All opinions are my own.

I'm pretty late posting about this, but I did want to share about the party I threw for my oldest daughter and youngest son.  My daughter turned 10 in August and lately she's been obsessed with Monster High and Ever After High.  She has the books, the dolls, the movies, clothes -- they're her favorite thing right now.   Because it was hard to find any Ever After High party things and because I just wasn't feeling crafty enough to make some, I went with a Monster High theme for her.

My youngest son turned 4 in mid September.  But, because no one was going to be around in September to attend a party for him, I had to combine his party with his sister's.  One of the things he loves right now is Angry Birds.  His older sister and brother introduced him to one of the Angry Birds apps that they play on their tablets.  Since then, he loves everything Angry Birds.  He'll even ask to watch the Angry Birds channel on our Roku.

I spent a lot of time on Pinterest, looking for party ideas.  I wanted the decorations and food and activities to all go along with the Monster High and Angry Birds themes.  But, as always, I was too ambitious and ended up not making a lot of the things I wanted to make.

Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze

Tuesday, October 7, 2014


It's fall and apple picking season is here!  When we go, we usually end up getting more apples than we can eat.  Here's a great recipe to use up some of those apples!

The recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks, Piece of Cake by Camilla V. Saulsbury.  The recipes in the book all use one bowl and it makes it easy to whip up something yummy with minimal fuss.

This cake is a family favorite and I hope you enjoy it too!

Sweet 'N Low - The Sweeter The Better

Sunday, October 5, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Other than when I'm out running errands or picking kids up from school and with me working practically every weekend, I haven't had the chance to really get out of the house.  It's been so long since the last time I went out to dinner with girlfriends or did anything with friends.  Every time I try to set something up, either no one's available when I'm free or something comes up and we have to cancel.

Recently, I was chosen by Crowdtap to host a Sweet'N Low Girls Night In.  I thought this would be a perfect alternative to going out with friends.  They could all come over for dinner and drinks and we could rent something from Redbox!  It would be a fun way to catch up with everybody and not have to deal with driving somewhere.

#SaveTheUndies U by Kotex® Sleek® Tampons Review

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free samples of U by Kotex from Crowdtap to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

I hate having my period.  It affects my mood and makes me unpleasant to be around the days before it comes.  (Ha, just ask my husband!)  Plus, my flow can sometimes be heavy and inevitably, I end up ruining a pair of underwear with a leak.  I usually end up using not-so-cute undies during that time of the month.

Millions of undies are ruined every year due to failed period protection.  It's time to stop the madness! U by Kotex can help Save the Undies!

Vichy Idealia Life Serum 8-Day Challenge #LifeproofSkin

Monday, September 29, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free samples of Vichy Idealia Life Serum from Crowdtap to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

As I've gotten older, I've been paying more attention to my skin.  I'm noticing more fine lines and enlarged pores.  My skin tone seems to be more uneven and I'm seeing more dark spots on my face.  I've had to start experimenting with different creams and moisturizers and serums to see what could help.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the Vichy Idealia 8-Day Challenge.  I was sent an 8-day supply of Vichy Idealia Life Serum for myself and some to share with friends and family.

$50 Kohl's Gift Card Giveaway - Ends 10/9

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Welcome to the $50 Kohl's Gift Card Giveaway

Hosted by: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways 

Sponsored by: Kohl's



DISCLOSURE: SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways received free products to facilitate this giveaway post.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.   

Before you know it, Christmas will be here!  So, I'm excited to participate in this Kohl's gift card giveaway from SaraLee's Steals & Giveaways.  Kohl's has something for everyone!  It's definitely one of the places I shop when I'm looking for a gift.

Get everything for you, your family & your home, all designed to fit your personality and budget. Shop in store, online, on your mobile device or at a kiosk. Kohl's hassle-free return policy means you can return any item, anytime, for any reason.
 
Now for the giveaway!
One lucky person will win a $50 Kohl's Gift Card. This is open to US residents and ends 10/09/14 @ 11:59 pm EST. To enter, simply do the tasks on the Giveaway Tools widget below and you're set to have a chance to win! Remember, you can't win if you don't enter. It only takes one entry to win!

Good luck and thanks for entering!
 

Disclaimer: Please note that SaraLee's Deals Steals and Giveaways and Stuff I Got are not responsible for prize fulfillment.  This blog did not receive any compensation for promoting this giveaway.

$140 Toys "R" Us and $140 Babies "R"Us Gift Card Giveaway - Ends 10/8

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Welcome to All About Parents Birthday Extravaganza!

We're so excited to be participating in the All About Parents Birthday Extravaganza!  To help Debbie from All About Parents celebrate, she's offering you a chance to win gift cards to Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us!  This would be great for the upcoming holidays!  Good luck!


It's Debbie from All About Parents birthday so guess what, we're going to have a giveaway! Debbie said to herself, " What do I love to shop for the most?" Then it came to her! Her son! So for her birthday, All About Parents is sponsoring this giveaway so you can shop for your little one too! 

Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Baltimore, MD

DISCLOSURE:  This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com.  I will receive a free admission for me and my family in exchange for this post and a future review.  All opinions are my own.


Whenever my family and I travel, we often see signs and brochures for Ripley's Believe It or Not! museums, but we've never had the chance to visit.  We usually didn't have the time to include it in our vacation and there wasn't really one close by to home -- until now!

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is now at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.  Now, we have one within an hour's drive of where we live!  Ripley's features three unique attractions including Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, Ripley’s Moving Theater where you ride the movies, and 2,000 sq. ft. of the mind-bending Marvelous Mirror Maze!

" Come see over 15,000 square feet of the odd and weird world of Ripley's Believe It or Not! where truth is stranger than fiction. See a real shrunken head, Hogwarts Castle made of matchsticks and much much more! Along with incredible artifacts and artwork from all around the world and over 100 "interactives" take a ride on our 4D Moving Theatre and get lost in our Marvelous Mirror Maze. You can also take home your very own wax hand that you create. Ripley's has been proudly freaking out families for over 90 years. Why just say it, See it!"

Ripley's is open 365 days a year and tickets for the Odditorium start at $17.99.  From now until the end of the year, you can save with this coupon and get 1 FREE attraction when you buy 2!  You can even skip the lines and purchase tickets from home!

I think my kids would have so much fun seeing all the exhibits and playing with everything!  I can't wait to visit!

Ripley's Believe It or Not!
301 Light Street
Light Street Pavilion
Baltimore, MD 21202

(443) 615-7878
http://www.ripleys.com/baltimore/

Exploring The City With UrbanQuest

Monday, September 22, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com.  I received a free UrbanQuest scavenger hunt in exchange for a review.  No further compensation was provided.  All opinions are my own.

I've always wanted to take the chance to spend a day and play tourist and actually visit all the great sites around where I live.  I was born in Washington, DC and raised close by in Maryland, but there are so many places in the area that I've never been to.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a  scavenger hunt around DC through UrbanQuest.  The company offers Quests where you can explore your city and learn fun facts along the way.  The Quests feature a series of clues that lead you around town until you reach your final destination: a mystery restaurant where a reservation has already been made for you and your group.

Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight Review

DISCLOSURE:  I received a free product from SheSpeaks to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own.

I have thick and somewhat wavy and frizzy hair.  I just can't wash it and let it air dry.  It would turn into a big frizz ball!  I have to blow dry it straight and then use a flat iron to make it look nice.  I do this pretty much every day.  It takes forever.  I usually have to wake up at least 2-3 hours before I need to leave to go somewhere so that I have enough time to shower and do my hair!

Recently, I had the opportunity to try Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight.  It's a lightweight styling creme that progressively loosens curls with every use.  As you straighten your hair, Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight’s naturally derived plant fibers invisibly attach to hair to loosen curl and help lock in straightness. The formula’s humidity barrier of organic cassava extract and maize defends against frizz. The more you use it, the easier it is to create straight, smooth styles, so you can spend less time with a blow dryer and flat iron every day.  Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight is the newest addition the Smooth Infusion line from Aveda.


Seasoned Mustard Drumsticks with Peach Molasses Glaze Recipe #TailgateForOurTroops

Thursday, September 18, 2014

DISCLOSURE:  I received free products from Crowdtap to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own.


If you saw my previous post, then you might have seen that I had the chance to participate in a #TailgateForOurTroops BBQ with Kingsford Charcoal and Crowdtap.  As part of the party, they sent hosts a copy of "Fire & Smoke" by world champion pitmaster Chris Lilly.  I didn't get a chance to make anything from the book for the party, but the recipes looked so good, I wanted to try at least one.

The other night we had the chance to try the Seasoned Mustard Drumsticks with Peach Molasses Glaze.  It didn't look too hard to make and my kids like eating chicken drumsticks.  It didn't require any crazy ingredients -- though, after purging our pantry and fridge of expired items, we happened to be out of almost everything on the list!

I hope you try this recipe. Even my picky kids enjoyed the seasoning and glaze.  It's sweet and I'd love to try it on other meats.  I do recommend making sure you have a meat thermometer.  With dark meat, it's hard to tell just by color if it's cooked.  You really want to make sure the internal temperature reaches 175 - 180 degrees F before serving.

Enjoy!

Kingsford #TailgateForOurTroops BBQ

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

DISCLOSURE: I received free products to facilitate this post from Crowdtap. All opinions are my own.

Growing up, my parents always used a charcoal grill.  That was the only kind of grill I knew.  I learned how to grill meat sticks, ribs and chicken wings with my Dad in the backyard and at the park. 

Once I got married, my husband became the "grillmaster."  We've only been using a gas grill since.  While I like the convenience of a gas grill, I do sometimes miss the flavor that a charcoal grill imparts that I don't get when we cook on a gas grill.

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in Kingsford Charcoal's #TailgateForOurTroops program.  In partnership with ESPN and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstriet, Kingsford Charcoal is supporting the families of US troops.  For each tweet with the #TailgateForOurTroops, Kingsford Charcoal will donate $1 to The Folds of Honor Foundation until they hit their goal of $50,000. The Folds of Honor Foundation works to give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country.