DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Kevin's Natural Foods and Tryazon in exchange for a review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

I've seen Kevin's meals at the grocery store but have never tried them before. Thanks to Tryazon, I was sent two coupons for their multi-serve frozen meals to try for free.

Who is Kevin's Natural Foods?

Kevin's Natural Foods is a line of refrigerated and frozen meals, sides, pastas, sauces and breakfast on a mission to empower even the busiest people to eat clean without sacrificing flavor. All of Kevin's products are made with clean ingredients and ready to eat in minutes.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company and Tryazon om exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We have so many plush animals in our house. The kids love them. I love them. For my youngest who is on the spectrum, they're like a comfort item and something that helps her to self-regulate. So, when I saw the opportunity to host a party with plushies and squishies, I jumped at the chance!

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I received free admission to the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the 2025 World Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

The last two times we had seen the Harlem Globetrotters, we saw them in Virginia. Even though it was a little farther away, parking was free and easier. This third time, I chose to see them in DC. It was definitely a different experience! Since my kids are older now, I was only able to convince three out of four of my kids to come.

We made it to 2025. Every year, around this time, I like to reflect on the year before and write about my goals for the new year. 

Last year, I had four goals. I wanted to start my curly hair journey, make time for friends, travel somewhere new and love myself more. I managed to accomplish maybe three of those things.

I've been blow drying and flat ironing my hair straight for over 20 years and fighting my natural texture. I wanted to embrace the natural waves and learn how to style it. This past year I've been experimenting with different products and brushes and techniques. I still haven't found the perfect combination, but it's a work in process. Here's a picture of one of the good wavy days.

I did more activities this year with my group chat friends and met up for random lunches and dinners with other friends. I even went to a concert and got to see Green Day, a band I used to love so much in high school. 

I did travel somewhere new -- kind of. A friend from high school and I were meeting another friend from high school in Las Vegas for the Lovers and Friends Festival. We hadn't seen each other in a really long time. And while it wasn't my first time in Vegas, it was my first time as an adult. Even though the concert was eventually canceled the night before, we still had a great time.

Loving myself is still a work in progress. I've started seeing a therapist and she's been helping me. We have only met a few times, so still working on getting more comfortable and letting down my guard.

So now, that brings us to my goals for this year. My goals have always been kind of broad and once I wrote them down, I never really actively worked at accomplishing those goals. I wouldn't even remember what my goals were until the New Year when I look at the previous year's post. Here are some things I would want to accomplish this year:

1.    Learn more about dry eye.  I have so many patients with dry eyes and I would love to be able to offer them more solutions, other than just telling them to pick up artificial tears. I hope to attend some CE classes and conferences, centered around dry eye this year and have our office at work become a Dry Eye Center of Excellence. 

2.    Declutter. I have a tendency to hold on to things, because I may need them in the future. And yes, sometimes that does happen. And something I've held on to for years, becomes useful. But, I do have a lot of stuff. And our tiny home doesn't have a lot of room for all my stuff. I need to learn to let some things go.

3.    Cook more. I'm such a bad cook. I want to get into the habit of making more food. Even if it's just for me, since my husband and kids don't always like the same food I do. I need to go and buy my own groceries and actually use what I buy.

4.    Read books. I haven't read a book in years. I've bought books. I've tried to read books, but I never finish reading a book. I need to start reading more books and make time to read more books.

I think that's a good start for my goals. What are you working towards accomplishing this year?

I've always wanted to own a robotic vacuum. I thought it would be so cool to have one to clean the house for me. So, I jumped at the chance to host this party from Ecovacs and Tryazon. Ecovacs sent me the DEEBOT T30S vacuum and mop system.

WHO IS ECOVACS?

ECOVACS is a designer of smart home robotics to help improve homeowners' lives. Their products are now being used in over 145 countries and regions around the world.

DEEBOT T30S

The DEEBOT T30S is a robot vacuum and mop system. It features:

• Powerful 11,000Pa of suction power
• TruEdge Adaptive Edge Mopping - eliminates the need to move furniture and helps in hard-to-reach areas
• ZeroTangle Anti Tangle Technology - avoids entanglement of human and pet hair
• All-In-One OMNI Station - hot water mop washing, self-emptying, auto water-refilling and hot-air drying
• TrueDetect 3D and TrueMapping - quickly maps out your home and detects obstacles. It also has cliff sensors to prevent it from falling down the stairs
• Multiple controls - can be controlled with an app, voice commands or foot control
• MSRP $999.99

We visit the beach every summer and usually the house we rent has a hot tub. My family enjoys spending time in them. But, that's usually the only time we get to use one. So, we were super excited to be chosen to receive a free inflatable hot tub. I had actually thought about buying one of these when everything was shut down during COVID, but we never got around to doing it. We were sent the Coleman SaluSpa Bahamas AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub.

I was so over 2023. It had its highlights and I'm thankful for what I accomplished.

I start out each year with usually the same goals. Last year I wanted to continue my fitness journey, make more time for my hobbies, be more social and travel more. I think other than the traveling more, I did pretty good on the other goals. I completed several fitness challenges. I am still about the same weight I was when I started the year, but maybe a little stronger. I hung out with more people last year and spent more time with people I care about. And I crocheted more. Here's a Instagram Reel with some of my favorites:

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A post shared by Bernadette Nunez (@mandarin831)

And so now, what am I hoping to accomplish in 2024?

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Tryazon and The Op Games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

My family loves board games. It's a great way for us to spend some time together and they make family gatherings so much fun. We have our favorites but always enjoy finding new games to play. We were excited to try Mish Match and Tapple 10.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Bestway and Tryazon in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Summer's almost over but it's not too late to host that last sleepover or book that last camping trip before school starts. And Bestway has the perfect airbed for that!

Thanks to Tryazon and Bestway, I was sent a Queen sized Bestway Tritech Air Mattress to try.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Tryazon and Drinkmate in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We aren't big soda drinkers in our household. But, I do like to enjoy one every now and then. When presented with an opportunity to make my own carbonated beverages from home, I was intrigued. So, I applied and was selected to host a Drinkmate - Sparkle Your Summer Party.

I received a free Drinkmate OmniFizz Special Bundle, which included:

• Drinkmate OmniFizz
• Fizz Infuser
• 1 L Carbonation Bottle
• 0.5 L Carbonation Bottle
• 60 L CO2 Cylinder

DISCLOSURE: This is a sponsored post in conjunction with USFamilyGuide.com. I received free admission to see the Harlem Globetrotters for me and my family in exchange for promoting the 2023 World Tour. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

We had another chance to see the Globetrotters this year. Last year was our first time attending and it was enjoyable, so I was glad to be offered another chance to go see them play.

I had to work the day of the event, so we arrived just in time to buy some snacks from the concession stand and find our seats before it started.

My kids aren't super into sports at all but they had a good time. The comedic interludes and ball tricks helped make it more entertaining than just a regular basketball game 

I say this every January, but, how is it 2023? That doesn't even look right to me.

Every year, around this time, I reflect back on the previous year and set some goals for the New Year. I started out last year with a sprained ankle, which actually turned out to be a fracture. It took a long time to get over that injury. I was still doing PT during the summer. So, a lot of what I was focused on, especially at the beginning of the year, was just getting better and being able to walk and drive again.

Last year, I set out to continue my fitness journey, work to become independent and to spend more time with my friends and family. Looking back, I feel I did a fairly good job at accomplishing those goals. Once I was able to walk again, I started working out again and even ended the year completing an 8 week Get Fit and Moving Challenge from Chloe Ting. Though, I did end up hurting my knee, so we'll see what happens with that. I also feel like I progressed in my goal to be more independent. I'm not 100% where I want to be, but I'm getting there. As for spending time with friends and family, I definitely feel like I took more time to hang out with people or at least reach out to people more regularly and I will continue to do that this year.

So, for goals this year...

1)  Continue my fitness journey - Yes, this is the same goal as last year. I started working out regularly in 2020 and I want to continue that this year. I want to work on getting stronger and more toned and maintaining my weight. I plan to continue my home workouts, but also look into adding some other physical activity. A friend and I were talking about maybe taking Pilates together. She also has been trying to get me to go to her Orange Theory classes. So we'll see!

2) Make more time for my hobbies - I find it relaxing to knit and crochet. So, this year, I want to make more time for that. I enjoy making things. I like making things to wear and little toys for the kids. And I feel like the more I do it, the better I'll get at it. Goal is to try and do some knitting or crocheting at least once a week. Instead of scrolling mindlessly through social media, I should be working on my knitting or crocheting. 

3) Be more social - This goes along with the goal last year to spend more time with people I care about. I can be so antisocial and often turn down invites to hang out. I'm an introvert and sometimes I'm happiest just being by myself. But I will make an attempt this year to hang out more. Do things with people. Make lunch and dinner dates. 

4) Travel more - I love traveling. We usually go to same places every year. This year, I'd love to have a chance to visit somewhere new. I always hear stories from people about all the places they've visited, and I get so jealous. I need to see if I can travel somewhere different this year. Start out with something small. Maybe a weekend trip to a city that I haven't been to. A solo trip has also been on my bucket list. So maybe this will be the year! We'll see!

I think that's a good start to some goals. Hopefully I can accomplish these. 

Do you set goals for yourself at the beginning of the year? What are you hoping to accomplish in 2023?

The holidays are upon us. And for many people, that either means family and friends are coming into town and are needing a place to stay, or maybe you're the one traveling and hoping to avoid shelling out money for a hotel. Either way, someone is going to need a bed to sleep on. A great option to consider would be an inflatable bed!

In 2023, every fan is getting in on this action...that means YOU, so get ready! It's GLOBETROTTER game time!

Tickets are now on sale! Save up to 20% with code USFAM. http://www.usfamilyguide.com/coupon.php?bid=13043&dealid=2964

Bringing world-class basketball showmanship to arenas all over the U.S.

TOUR SCHEDULE: https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule

DISCLOSURE: I received free products from Tryazon and The Op Games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Last month we held a game night and had such a fun time that we decided it should be a regular thing. So, we were pretty excited when we were selected again to host another game night. Both games were new to us. My family enjoys word games so both looked like they would be perfect for us!

Who Is The Op?

Telestrations and Blank Slate are both from The Op, a company that specializes in board games like Clue. Trivial Pursuit, and Jenga, as well as other games like puzzles and chess sets.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product from Tryazon to try and review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.

Gabby's Dollhouse is a series on Netflix geared towards preschoolers. The TV show features Gabby and her cat friends as they go on adventures in her dollhouse.

ABOUT GABBY'S PURRFECT DOLLHOUSE

• OVER 2 FEET TALL: With its cat-inspired shape and colorful details, Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse looks just like the one from the show. It’s the ultimate setting for your exciting pretend play adventures!
• ELEVATOR AND DELIVERY TOWER: Play on 4 floors and explore 7 different rooms! Drop deliveries in the tower, ride the Cat-A-Vator to each floor, discover hidden surprises on the room backdrops and more! 
• 15 PIECES: Play right out of the box with Gabby and Pandy Paws, 2 Dollhouse Deliveries, 3 accessories and 8 furniture pieces, including a couch, slide, table that flips from breakfast to dinner and more! • 
• 8 SOUNDS AND PHRASES: Press the button in front of the dollhouse to hear music, sounds and phrases from the show, including the theme song! This exciting kids' toy requires 3 AAA batteries (not included). 
• TOYS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS AGES 3 AND UP: Gabby’s dollhouse dolls, doll house furniture, stuffed animals and kids toys are great gifts for birthdays and your holiday toy list, for kids ages 3 and up. 
• Includes: 1 Dollhouse, 1 Gabby Girl Figure, 1 Pandy Paws Figure, 8 Furniture Pieces, 2 Dollhouse Deliveries, 3 Accessories, 1 Instruction Sheet

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A post shared by Bernadette Nunez (@mandarin831)

Growing up, I remember seeing commercials for the Harlem Globetrotters on TV. I remember the theme song and players doing tricks with the red, white and blue ball and thinking they must be fun. But I never got a chance to see them. Until last week!

I got the whole family -- including the teenagers -- to come see the show. We really hadn't been out together as a family since before COVID so it was nice to get a chance to do something with all the kids.

I really didn't know what to expect and so couldn't really explain what it would be like to the kids other than it not being like a real basketball game and that it would be funny. All I knew is that I wanted to buy a Harlem Globetrotters ball.

I honestly cannot believe it's 2022 already. I feel like 2021 went by pretty quickly.

I started 2021 with no real goals. Only with the intention of living in the moment. I'm not really sure I accomplished that. But I sure did end the year in a big way. Falling and spraining (or fracturing? Not sure yet) my right ankle pretty badly! I haven't been able to put weight on it or walk in three weeks!

But, even with that, I am going to set some goals for this year. Not sure how this year will turn out, but hopig I can accomplish these before the year ends.

1.  Continue Working Out

I had started to get pretty regular with working out before I fell. I was feeling stronger and felt like I was getting more toned. When my foot is better, I am hoping to be able to pick that back up and grow even stronger.

2.  Be More Independent

This not being able to walk or drive or do things for myself has been super frustrating. Once my foot is better, I want to be able to do more things for myself. Stop being scared to drive to new places. Learn to actually cook more than just spaghetti! Go on more solo trips.

3.  Spend More Time With The Ones I Care About

People come and go in your life and I want to appreciate those who are in my life now. I hope to plan more lunch dates and weekend trips. Mom and daughter and Mom and son outings. Show the people I care about how much they mean to me.

I think those are some good goals to start out with. Though the main goal for me right now is to have my ankle heal!

Have you set any goals for the year?