Ella's Kitchen & mOmma Are Rockin' in the New Year

I am super excited to be a part of the fabulous New Year's Eve party that Ella's Kitchen and mOmma are holding!  Here are the details on how you can attend and WIN!

Ella's Kitchen & mOmma are giving away 60 prizes in 60 minutes!  That's right, 60 fans of @ellaskitchenusa and @mOmmaUS will be receiving a special gift from these two amazing companies!

A little background for those of you who are not familiar with the brands...

Ella's Kitchen was started in the UK by Ella's dad, Paul, who wanted his daughter to have healthy, delicious food that was easy to serve on the go!  He accomplished that and more by creating these colorful, fun, yummy pouches that any parent would be thrilled to serve to their little one!  Ella's Kitchen is Good in Every Sense!

mOmma is a part of the well known and trusted company, Lansinoh.  Their new line of cups, untensils, and other mealtime and teething essentials are meant to stimulate self feeding.  The rocking motion of the stylish products is not only fun and engaging, but also encourages development.

So, here's what you need to know to get in on the action!  In order to be eligible, you must be a resident of the US, and 18 years old or older.  You must also follow @ellaskitchenusa & @mOmmaUS on Twitter and join us on New Year's Eve at 10:00 am EST to #rockin2013!

You can do all of these things using the Rafflecopter widget below.  All participants in the party who have pre-registered here will be entered to win 1 of 60 fabulous prizes! 

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iPieces By Pressman Toy {Review & Giveaway}

My children love the iPad.  They are constantly fighting over who gets to play with it, and despite downloading many games that they should be able to play together, they just don't.  Until now.

This summer, when I was at BlogHer I was able to play with the new iPieces games from Pressman Toy.  These games are super cool because they not only have physical pieces, but they work with the iPad by downloading an app from the App Store (included in the price of the iPieces).

My favorite of the games is iPieces Air Hockey.  It is seriously fun for my kids to play together, or for my husband and I to play with them.  The game comes with two strikers that you use to hit the virtual puck on screen.  My kids thing that the options you can add to the game, like the hole-in-the-ice obstacle are hilarious, and quite frankly, I think they are challenging!  Check out this awesome video that can really show you how the games work.

Pressman Games not only sent our family Air Hockey to test, they also sent us the fabulously fun Fishing Game.  I am probably dating myself, but this game reminds me of the old fashioned, wind up game, where you had to put your poll into the magnetic fish mouths and catch as many as you can.  It was one of my favorites when I was small, and now as a mom, this game is another fave!  Especially because there are far less pieces to lose, and both of my kids can play it easily even with the youngest being only 2 1/2.

The iPad is such a great tool for my kids to use when they are needing a distraction - when we are on a long car ride, a plane, waiting in a doctor's office, etc. and having games that they can play together has been awesome!    I have to say that they little cases that the games come with are really great for storing the  pieces and you can throw them in your bag without worrying about anything breaking.

If you are still looking for stocking stuffers or presents for those kids that have everything, these are perfect!  In addition to Air Hockey and Fishing, there are also 2 iPad "board" games - Snakes and Ladders and Game of Goose.  (Plus a new iPieces Billiards game is out!)  I found these games on Amazon (with Prime shipping!) for about $10 - $13.  Not bad at all and seriously tons of fun - especially if you are traveling this holiday season!  (This could make airport delays a heck of a lot more bearable!)

And now, for my favorite part of this post...  a giveaway!!!

To win your choice of an iPieces game by Pressman Toys use the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good luck and happy entering!! 


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Disclosure:  I was provided with samples of iPieces games to facilitate this review.  The opinions are my own.

Holiday Check List #1...

Holiday Cards Ordered.  Check.  :)

 

 

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Melissa and Doug has long been a favorite company of ours because of their educational, high quality, safe toys!  Each year I find myself purchasing more and more of their adorable, imagination inspiring products, and this year, there is no doubt that there will be M&D goodies under our tree.

I am sooooo excited to share with you Melissa and Doug's new Terrific Twenty Holiday Gift List!  The wonderful people over at M&D have put together a list of toys that are bound to excite and please any little one on your list!  From the adorable, lovable Beeposh Lion, to the Fashion Design Activity Kit that reminds me of my childhood, you can be sure that you are getting a gift that will last for a very long time.

If you are planning on traveling this holiday season or in the new year, the Trunki is an amazing gift that can be used year round!  My son received one for his first Christmas and still loves to use it wherever we go!  Although I have always thought that the animal designs were adorable, I am in LOVE with the new Tie-Dye Swirl designs!  (How cool are they?!?  And strangely enough, also reminiscent of my childhood! ;))

Melissa and Doug are not only giving away an item from their Terrific Twenty list every day on their Facebook page, but they are also letting me give one of my fabulous readers a gift as well!!  It's super easy to win - just use the Rafflecopter widget below!  Good luck and happy entering!  I know this would make anyone's season brighter! :)

**After you enter here, stop by my friend Jen's blog and enter to win another M&D toy!**


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Seventh Generation Review & Giveaway

My family has been using Seventh Generation's natural products for years!  We have used everything from their diapers to their cleaning supplies and we have never been disappointed in the quality or price.  As a matter of fact, I started purchasing their all purpose cleaner because not only was it safe for my children, but it was an even better value than many of the other brands that use harmful chemicals in their sprays.

We are always evaluating how to reduce their environmental impact, increase performance and safety, and create a more sustainable supply chain. We believe it is our responsibility to set a course for a more mindful way of doing business, where companies act as partners with other stakeholders to create a brighter future for the whole planet. - Seventh Generation

I was so excited when I received a package full of wonderful Seventh Generation Products to help keep my family safe during the upcoming flu season!  With the soft, recycled tissues, that are not only green, but extremely gentle, we are fighting allergy season without any red, irritated noses!  And, every time I wipe those drippy noses, I get to wash my hands with Seventh Generation's plant based hand soaps that smell heavenly!  I was shocked at how large the container is, and how smooth it makes my hands feel!  Usually by this time in the year my hands are cracked and dry from the constant hand washing, but they are feeling great!

We also received the Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner.  As I mentioned, I have used their household cleaners before, but I immediately noticed that the new spray nozzle had really great reach.  It felt like it was covering all of the surface that I was trying to clean in an even coating of cleaner, instead of all going to one spot.  It also smells really delicious!  (Almost made cleaning up puppy messes bearable!)

Here's my favorite thing about Seventh Generation - they are kind enough to not only send me a package full of germ preventing products including wipes, sprays, hand soaps, and tissues, but they also want to give a similar package to one of my readers!  It's super easy to enter!  Check out this adorable video of how to make a not-so-spooky germ monster.  Then leave a comment telling me how you eliminate germ monsters from your house!

Use the Rafflecopter below to record that entry and any additional that you'd like to  complete.  This contest will end Friday, November 2nd.  Good luck and happy entering!


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Disclosure:  I received these products free of charge to review.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine.

It's Time to Shop!

Although I'm not quite ready for the holidays, there is no denying that they are coming - and quickly!  So I've begun to create a list of things I want to get for Christmas this year.  Obviously, I'm not talking about MY wish list - I am talking about the things that I will need for the house, and to put under the tree for my kiddies.  That being said, project number one is... A Christmas Tree!

Pre-children, the hubs and I had a fake tree.  I'll admit, it wasn't all that pretty to begin with, but now, 10 years later, it's pretty awful.  Last year, I finally convinced my husband that the kids should have the experience of a real tree, but with two toddlers, a puppy and a cat, we settled for a teeny tiny tree that we ended up planting in our yard in the Spring.  This year, we've added another puppy to the mix, so a fake it is!  Thankfully, I now know that there are tons of options for Christmas trees that won't make Santa cringe!  For example, this beautiful Lincoln Pine.  This beauty wouldn't even look bad pre-lit!  It is full, looks soft and plush, and the green doesn't look like it came from a box of crazy crayons.  Natural is the look I am going for!

So, what's going under the tree, you ask?  Well, P has asked for the usually boy paraphernalia like Nerf guns, LEGO games, and Wii games and games for his Nintendo DS.  If it has a superhero on it, then it's even better.  I expect to find something along the lines of this under our tree on Christmas morning...

As for Bean, well she is a little more difficult, but I have a feeling she will be aching to play with her brother's toys, no matter what we get her!  (Little sister syndrome...) ;)

Hubs - well, he has a big (29 + 1 kind-of big) birthday coming up, just days after xmas, so who knows...maybe he will find a nice, big, scratch free LED TV under there...  well, he can hope at least! ;)

What's on your list??  Are you going big or small this year?  Real or fake?? (Tree that is!)

A Wholly Giveaway!!

So, I just told you all about the delicious new flavors of Salsa and the guacamole goodness that is Wholly Guacamole, and now it's your chance to win a cooler full of these fantastic products, delivered right to your door!

Here's how you can win!  It's easy peasy! :)  Just use the rafflecopter widget below!  Contest will end Wednesday, October 17th at 12:01 am (EST).  Happy Entering and don't forget to Eat Wholly!



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Wholly Guacamole!

I am addicted to guacamole.  Yes, I'm also addicted to Mexican food, however, the two are not mutually exclusive.  I put guacamole on everything, and nothing is more delicious than Wholly Guacamole!

I was beyond thrilled when I met up with the fabulous people from Wholly Guacamole at BlogHer '12 and since they sensed my little obsession, they were kind enough to send me a nice big cooler full of their delicious products - new and old!  Of course, the guacamole was to die for, and I expect no less from the brand, but what I didn't realize was how many really fantastic salsa dips they had too!

There are five new flavors, and honestly, each one is really great and surprisingly different.  After multiple taste tests I think I can officially say that the Red Pepper Mango is my favorite when I'm looking for something a little sweet and spicy - think a grilled chicken quesadilla or salty lime drizzled tortilla chips - yum!  But...a very close second is the Avocado Verde Salsa.  Wow!  My husband and I actually used this to make an amazing midnight snack of chicken, muenster cheese, and Avocado Verde.  It definitely hit the spot!

The thing that I really love best about Wholly Guacamole and all of their products is that I know that they are using natural, healthy ingredients.  Plus, everyone in my family is excited when they see me pull one of their packages out of the grocery bags!  I can't get over the fact that my kids will literally eat the chunky avocado with a spoon!  What an amazing way for them to get the 20 vitamins and minerals that are in WG's delicious goodies thanks to the Hass avocado!

If you are worried that you can only put guacamole on Mexican food, I am here to tell you that you are wrong!  Guacamole makes a delicious dip for everything from pretzels to chicken nuggets!  Some people even love to put the new Pineapple Dip on ice cream!

You can find tons of great recipes on the Wholly Guacamole site, or get inspired by following them on Pinterest.  Because really, you can't tell me this doesn't look amaze-balls!

Milk Unleashed GIVEAWAY!!

It's that time of year again when everyone is heading back to school!  This is actually the first year that I have a school aged child, and I can't believe the preparations that go into getting him there.  I think that the task that I hate most is packing his lunchbox.  I know that sounds terrible, but it's crazy to think about fitting a well balanced, healthy, lunch into a tiny little box.  Not to mention that half of our normal lunch options are eliminated because of the lack of a refrigerator!  There are some things that I don't mind packing with an ice pack, but other things, I personally won't eat unless they are straight out of the fridge.  That's why shelf stable milk is a staple when we are out and about!

Milk Unleashed is the single-serving shelf safe milk that can go in your lunchboxes, diaper bags, or even your purse, and can give your kids the nutrition they need without the need to pack bulky, heavy, ice packs.  Shelf safe milk is packaged in Tetra Paks which keep the milk safe until it is opened by protecting it from light and air.  The milk is as full of nutrients, vitamins, and calcium, as the milk in your fridge, it is just preserved a little differently.  A few of the fabulous brands of shelf safe milk are Horizon Organic (one of our personal favorites!),  Hershey's and Organic Valley.

Milk Unleashed has offered to give one of my fabulous readers a variety pack consisting of four shelf safe milks, both white and chocolate, from Hershey's, LaLa, Horizon and Organic Valley!  It's super easy to enter.  All you have to do is check out the adorable and fun app below.  Try the games, and take the quiz.

• 1 entry (MANDATORY):  Become a public follower of Stuff Mom Loves and leave a comment saying that you did so.
• 1 entry (MANDATORY):  Take the Family On-The-Go Quiztacular and post your results in the comments section.
• 1 entry:  Leave a comment with your favorite game from the app.
• 1 entry:  Like Stuff Mom Loves on Facebook and leave a comment.
• 1 entry each:  Pin, share, or tweet about this contest and leave a comment with the link.

It is super easy to win but enter quickly!  This contest will end Monday, September 10th at 11:59 pm.  The winner will be emailed and will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck and happy entering!!

Weekend Wrap Up

Clearly I had a fantastic weekend, considering it's Tuesday and I am just now feeling like I am in a place where I can write about it.  In addition to some really relaxing family time and celebrating the birthday of an adorable two year old, I also got to spend a night out in the city with this hottie.

Do you see the empty bottles on the table?? ;)

We spent the night with some wonderful friends, eating delicious food, and playing bocce at Il Vagabondo - the place where Emeril Lagasse claims he had the best Veal Parm in the United States.

 

This adorable place is rooted in history and literally has a 100 year old, clay bocce court in the restaurant.  It was hilarious to see my girls trying to beat our husbands in our heels, with quite a few glasses of wine in us...  Yes, they won, but really, we let them. ;)

Two of the kindest people I know, our friends E & J, are moving this week from NY to MA, and though they won't be all that much farther, I have a feeling our excursions to NYC are going to be transferred to Boston.  This is fine with the hubs, and as  matter of fact, we ended our night at the Riviera Cafe, the only place I have ever been in Manhattan that sports Red Sox posters and paraphernalia.  Not to mention the wings we took back in the limo were pretty fantastic!

I had high hopes of sharing a little "what I wore" pic, but for some reason my kids won't let me have  5 minutes today. ;)  To all of you who have little ones that are back in school today - happy first day of free time school!  Perhaps when my LO starts next week you might hear from me a little more often!

Origami Owl Review & Fab Deals

Every once in a while you come across a product or a company that is not only attractive and unique, but is also inspiring.  Origami Owl is that company!

 

Origami Owl (O2) is the amazing company that was started by 14 year old  Isabella Weems. Like most teenagers, Isabella was beginning think about her first car. Unlike most teenagers, she wanted to find a way to save enough money to get one.  So, she found a way to do it and in 2010, Living Lockets were introduced and a phenomenon began.

I only heard about O2 a month or so ago, but in that time I have fallen in love.  Living Lockets, the flagship item for O2, are a fabulous way to design and redesign a personalized locket with interchangeable charms and plates.  I think that the fact that the charms can be easily inserted and removed is one of my favorite things about this collection. 

Take for example this adorable design for a bride to be.  5 years down the line the bride might be a mom.  

For very little money (charms are about $5 each) and effort, the locket can be transformed into this one.

 

Going on a tropical vacation or spending some time at the beach?  Add a few of these!

 

 

  

I wish I could write about all of the gorgeous charms, but instead I'll send you to the fabulous Studio W to check them all out.  And while your there, take a peak at their other beautiful jewels. I am quite partial to the Wish Lockets and think they would be an amazing gift for a young girl heading into middle school, high school, college, or just in need of a little *magic*!

So, do I have you hooked?  Then check out these fabulous deals just for my readers!! (But don't worry - I'm happy to let you share!)

 

 

Please make your purchases from Heather Zimmerman's site, as she was kind enough to facilitate this review.  Please be sure to enter party code "5684" (you should see Nancy Caron) as the hostess. 

• If you spend $10 or more, please shoot an email to locketladies@yahoo.com with your order number and your choice of a FREE charm!  

• If you spend $75 or more, please shoot an email to locketladies@yahoo.com with your choice of a FREE charm AND a FREE dangle! (Or if you prefer, two free charms!)

This is such an amazing deal and with only 108 days til Hanukkah and 125 days til Christmas, it's time to start thinking of who would like this beautiful and unique gift!  Plus, you will be helping me out!  I am seriously considering becoming a designer (I am currently on the waiting list!) and any purchases made using my party code will help me to earn my designer's kit.  I am not usually into "selling" but I just adore how special and personal these necklaces are, and I know that there are not many designers in my area, so I'm spreading the love!  A BIG thank you to Heather, for coordinating this review with me and offering these spectacular savings to my fans and friends! :)

 

PS:  Check out the packaging that you will receive your living locket in...could it be a better presentation for a gift (for you or someone else!)! ;) 

Zooper Hook-On Chair

New parents and expecting parents can be so overwhelmed with choices when it comes to baby gear!  One of the best purchases I ever made was a hook on chair.  This chair, which is made my Zooper, is perfect for home or travel!  I love this particular color (wheat) because it is gender neutral, goes with everything, and pretty much conceals the ridiculous amount of goo that ends up on your kids and their belongings. :)

The Zooper chair is very reasonably priced at around $49, and when you purchase it on Amazon, it ships for free! The four point harness adds extra safety for the little ones who like to climb (like my Bean), and it holds up to 30 lbs!  Bean is almost 2 and she still has 6 more pounds before she needs out! Plus, this fits on almost every table thanks to the easily adjustable clamps!

If you are looking for a chair to keep at Grandma's or in your trunk for restaurant adventures, (I can't handle the thought of the germs on the ones that restaurants keep on hand - gag!), this is your chair.  It also comes in some really bright, fun colors for you single gender families or more daring mamas.  I'm boring - I know!  But Zooper isn't - check them out!!

Wordless Wednesday - Blessings

I am so blessed to have had the past few days with my amazing children and wonderful friends at the shore.  I will always treasure these memories and my time with my sweet, sweet babies.  <3  (Almost wordless Wednesday... ;))

What I Learned as a BlogHer Newbie

This was my first year attending BlogHer and it was a blast!  I had so much fun, and I learned so much.  Plus, I got to connect with a ton of bloggers who I had been fans of for years now, but never had the chance to meet in person.  I will say, that as a newbie, it was a bit overwhelming at first, but I have compiled a few of my best tips as a reminder for next year and to help anyone else who is BlogHer virgin.

*  Don't expect to sleep.  I went into this thinking that I had three nights with no kids and I was going to be so rested when I got home.  Wrong.  I went to bed later than usual and got up just as early as usual.  It took me about 3 days at home to feel back to normal, but it was well worth it!

*  4,000 women (and about 10 men) plus a lot of free stuff can get a little crazy!  Anticipate standing in lots of lines (and getting an elbow here and there ;)).

*  Bring an empty suitcase! (see above)  Holy swag!  Let's put it this way - I brought home at least a dozen bags filled with stuff, and I wasn't even in on all of the private parties!

Which brings me to my next point...

*  It's all about who you know!  I was able to snag some pretty fabulous invites, but let me tell you, I have a few more on my wish list for next year!  (Um - Jake, we had lunch together just a few weeks ago in Hollywood Studios - why wasn't I invited to your breakfast?!? You've got some explaining to do...)

*  Dress for long hours of being on your feet.  Yes - you want to look cute.  I get it, but trust me, when you are carrying around 25 lbs of swag and walking through gigantic hotels and between buildings in the city.  (This year NYC, next year Chicago!)

I am so excited for next year's adventure and the new friends that I will get to reconnect with!  I'm still digging through the business cards I collected and I hope that some of my new friends will pop by here soon!  As always, thanks to the wonderful people who read my itty bitty blog and I hope you have a great week!!

A Deep Breath and Baby Steps

It's no secret that after having children my levels of anxiety and stress have reached an all time high.  Add in a little OCD, and a fierce mama bear instinct, and sometimes my head feels like it is going to explode!  One of the things that has really gotten me through these early years as a mama are my amazing friends - both old and new.

One of those friends, who has seen me go through so many adventures as a mother, and who literally walked me up and down the street as I labored with Bean, has finally decided to share her amazing talent as a writer with the world on her blog, A Deep Breath and Baby Steps.

Lisa's blog is filled with hilarious anecdotes of her four year old twins, and shares some great insight on how to step back, take a deep breath, and move forward - something us mommies often need to be reminded of!  Check it out, and then follow her so you can keep up with the love, laughter, and sometimes drama, that two little girls can bring to a home.

PS:  Take a look back at the titles of her posts - they seriously have me laughing out loud - especially "Camp Mommy-Get-A-Grip"... Can someone tell me where to sign up??

My Lunch with Katie Couric

BlogHer was such an amazing experience, and I really can't pick a favorite part of my weekend, but one of the most inspiring moments was my lunch with Katie Couric.

That's right, I ate lunch about 15 feet from Katie Couric.  Sure, there were 4,000 other women in the room, but this was the view from my seat.

First of all, I almost fell out of my chair when she walked on stage and commented that she "love(s) the smell of estrogen in the morning" and when she then mentioned that her idea of roughing it was "staying at a Holiday Inn", I knew that we were soul mates. ;)

Honestly though, Katie Couric could not have been more real, more inspiring, or more open with the thousands of women who sat before her.  She spoke about the loss of her husband and sister to cancer, about her daughters and her role as a mom, and she spoke about her love for social media and her confusion as to why her industry is so against it.  Even though I am a stay-at-home, I loved her response when she was asked how "she handles it all".  (Work, being a parent, etc.)  She stated from the beginning that this question was offensive because "no one ever asks Brian Williams" how he handles it all, and then went on to tell us that we need to stop the "mommy wars" and let women make their own decisions and priorities without judgement. I couldn't agree more.

Katie - if you are out there somewhere reading my teeny tiny blog, THANK YOU!  You are an inspiration to women everywhere and I cannot tell you how excited I am to watch you tackle issues big and small, light and heavy, on The Katie Show.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll be in the designated blogger spots in the audience. :)

Real Moms Play Cars - BlogHer '12

I am exhausted.  This weekend was a blast, but my goodness, I am tired!!  This week is going to be so much fun trying to catch up on sleep. :/  I figured that I could probably explain the weekend better using pictures, so here's a few to get you started... 

Taken at the Hot Wheels suite, where the motto was "Real Moms Play Cars".  LOVE it.  Do you think we had fun??

Dream Blankets

It is no secret that I am in LOVE with Aden & Anais.  My kids have so many of their products, and each one is better than the last.  From their extra large, thick, and super soft washcloths, to their heavenly bamboo swaddles, there is really nothing that I can say I dislike about the company.

Until now.

It's really quite frustrating.  My kids are getting older, and their designs are getting more and more BEAUTIFUL!  It's not fair!!!  In the words of Bean, "I mad.".

Nah, not really, and honestly, as I type Bean is snuggled up in her new, gorgeous Dream Blanket.

For as long as I can remember, Bean has needed to be covered by her A+A bamboo swaddle.  Problem is, she is getting longer, and the nights are getting cooler, and she really needed something for her big girl bed.  Enter the For The Birds Dream Blanket.  I really couldn't find or take a picture that does this blanket justice. Let's just say this - if it came in Queen size, it would be the focal point of my room.

Single 100% cotton muslin blanket. Unique in the marketplace, aden + anais Dream Blankets™ feature soft and breathable muslin cotton, which provides plenty of warmth without overheating. This plush blanket is generously-sized (47” x 47”) and uses four layers of fabric, making it ideal for snuggling.

P is uber jealous that he didn't get a new Dream Blanket, but he has graduated to a really big Big Boy bed, with lots of quilts and comforters.  He does, however, still cuddle up with his bamboo swaddle at night as well.  Who knows, Santa may be eyeing the Liam the Brave blanket.  Santa thinks it would go really well with his super hero themed room. :)


Am I the only one who thinks of these products as investments??  I mean, the quality is unbeatable!  Should a number 3 pop up, I'm all set.  If not, I'm pretty sure my kids will be taking these blankets to college with them anyway.

One of the few Aden & Anais products that hasn't made it's way into our house (yet!) is their new Serenity Star.  This adorable new nursery neccesity has so many fabulous features!  It is going to be a new staple on my baby shower gift giving list.  Here's what this stylish star can do:

+

feeding diary: records and displays the last time feeding started. For breast fed babies, it records and displays last breast side (L or R) from which baby was fed.

+

sound machine: plays  a selection of 4 soothing sounds including 2 lullabies, white noise and heart beat—in 30/60 minute intervals or continuously.

+

room temperature indicator: displays the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit and glows red, blue, or white if the room is above, below or at the ideal temperature.

+

night light: emits a subtle soothing glow for the perfect night light

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clock: 12-hour AM/PM display

+

portable: plug-in and battery operated

I might know a few ladies who will definitely be receiving this in the future. I sure could have used the feeding diary - and the sound machine - and the temperature gauge...

If you aren't familiar with all the wonderful-ness that is Aden & Anais I urge you to check out their natural goodness.  If you are familiar, then you already know that A+A is a stand up company, with only the health, safety, and comfort our your little ones at heart, but still, go on over and check out all of their beautiful new designs!

Any of my friends out there want to have a few more kids so I can buy these???  :)

BlogHer '12

In a few short days I'll be heading to the Big City (as P likes to call it) to attend BlogHer '12 and I could not be more excited!!!  There are so many bloggers that I am hoping to meet, and I can almost guarantee that I will be like a start struck teenager when I am finally introduced to some of them.

Of course, I wouldn't be going if it wasn't for the amazing Ella's Kitchen, so if you are there, look for me and one of my favorite friends and coworkers in our adorable Ella's tees.  (Get this, you can even scan our shirts with your smartphone and become a friend of Ella's!  Super cool!)

So, what does any girl think  about while preparing for the biggest blogging event of the year??  You got it!  WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?!?!  Well, thanks to my addiction to shopping and fabulous sale at Michael Kors, I'm all set.  During the day - Ella's tees and jeans, but at night, on my own, with no children and a miriad of parties to attend...this little top with a pair of skinny jeans for a casual night out.

Or, perhaps if we go a little fancier....this one, with some black leggings and hot black stilletos...

Clearly I'm in to the hot pink right now, and I LOVE the hardware on the neck line.

So, tell me...are you going to BlogHer'???  And if so, what are YOU packing?!  I could use the advice!!

Back to School With Lovable Labels {Review & Giveaway}

This is the first time that I will be sending one of my kids off to school, and as a "retired" teacher, I am frantic about all the ways I need to get P prepared.  (It might be a little bit of me distracting myself from the fact that my baby is growing up...)

One thing I have learned from my friends that went before me is that when your child spends a bulk of his or her time at school, they tend to leave, forget, and lose their stuff.  You know how it is at home - they take off their jackets, throw them on the floor, take off their backpack, toss it to the side, take out their lunch box, possibly get it on the kitchen table - and of course, things go missing.  I know that this is not unlike what our kids do at school!  The solution???  Lovable Labels!

Lovable Labels offers an amazing Back to School pack that I have been using like crazy!  The pack, which comes in 12 colors and 45 designs, has over 165 different labels for everything from your kids' shoes to their shirts, and their backpacks to water bottles.  I love how you can personalize them with so many different icons and I even got P in on the design process.  (He picked these adorable jet labels in the licorice twist colors. :))  

The labels are super secure, thick and durable.  They have withstood the test of the dishwasher, washing machine, and P's sweaty feet in the summer.  (Think Crocs at the playground in 90 degree weather...)  I am having so much fun making sure that all of his stuff is labeled and he loves that he can see his name on his belongings.  Because I am a teacher, I have to mention that this is also a huge help in name recognition - P wanted his first, middle, and last name on his labels, and now he can pick them out anywhere!

Giveaway Winners and a Fabulous Promo!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my recent Mary Kay Giveaway!  The winners have been notified, so congrats to them all!

If you didn't get an email from me, there is no need to fret!  Monet has kindly offered any one of my readers $5 off ANY order and FREE shipping if you share your purchase on your Facebook page with a link to her site!  All you need to do is leave the code "5offSML" in the comments section!

Happy Shopping, everyone! Stay tuned - I'll have another giveaway that is PERFECT for back to school when I get home from Disney! :) 

A Toddler's Suitcase

So, I couldn't help but put up a little tease of what will be included in Bean's suitcase.  I have a serious shopping problem.  She isn't going to have to wear one "used" outfit - an entire suitcase filled with new clothes.  Spoiled! ;)  Here's a peak at what's inside.

Disney Prep

We are 10 days out from our next vacation and all I can think about is getting ready to go.  There is such a fine line between packing too early and packing too late and I'm having trouble straddling it.  The main reason - LAUNDRY!

Bean is lucky because there was a HUGE sale at Baby Gap and I literally bought the kid 6 new outfits for the trip.  She is pretty much packed in a Gap bag. :)  Plus at Rite Aid today, there was a pile of diapers marked 50% off!  Score!  So, yes, she is the easy one.  I on the other hand will be doing laundry the night before to make sure I have enough outfits to pack. P falls in between the two of us.  He has a ton of clothes, but honestly takes it upon himself to change his outfit at least twice a day, so yeah, he has a laundry issue like I do. ;)

I am currently awaiting the delivery of my new PPB - of course, I ordered a Disney edition.  PPB and Disney partnered with UNICEF to design this bag and although I'm not entirely sure I'm going to love it, it was too good a cause to pass up.  What do you think???  I love PPB Boxy Backpacks, especially when I'm hitting the Disney Parks because it is so easy throw it on your back and hop on the bus with a child (or two) in your arms.  Plus, the changing pad fold right into it, so that is always a bonus.  I'll let you know what it really looks like when it gets here.  :)  Plus, then I'll be able to start packing my airplane bag.

We are staying at the amazing Wilderness Lodge, which, FYI, Travel & Leisure just names as one of their top ten resorts for families.  We have stayed there before, but none the less, I am stoked!  It is always so relaxing!

I'm not sure today's post had a direction when I sat down, but I am working towards getting out of my slump!  Got Disney questions??  Ask away!  We are obsessed and I'd love to help anyone who asks - perhaps my posts might start getting a little more structured too... ;)

Happy Thursday!  Don't forget to enter my fabulous giveaway!!

My Favorite Summer Products from Mary Kay & A Giveaway

I am a lucky girl.  I have lots of friends who have amazing businesses and I get to shop from some of my best friends.  A while back I told you about my friend Melissa who is a Mary Kay director, and because of that, my friend Monet joined Melissa's team!  One of my favorite things to do is go to Monet's for a make over, and let me tell you, I am LOVING my summer look!  I have compiled a list of my top 10 Must HAVE Mary Kay Products to share with you. 

My Top 10 Mary Kay MUST Haves for Summer

 

1.       On-The-Go Miracle Set ($44):  I have to start and end my day with the miracle set and this is the perfect size for summer vacations or if you just want to try the skin care line that has made me feel 5 years younger.  

2.       TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set ($55):  Fights fine lines, refines pores, and is way cheaper than visiting a dermatologist. 

3.       Indulge Soothing Eye Gel  ($15):  There is not better pick me up for $15.  Keep it in the fridge and even dab it on over your makeup for a quick, soothing sensation.

 

4.       Foundation Primer ($16):  SPF 15 & super smooth skin.  Enough said.

5.       Mineral Bronzing Powder ($12):  Let’s face it, a tan can make anyone look healthier, but I don’t have the time or desire to get that glow from the harmful sun rays.  I happen to love the shimmer in Desert Sun, but any of these will add a little summer fun to your makeup routine. 

6.       Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde ($13):  Obsessed.  This looks amazing with a tan, goes on quickly and easily, and gives your eyes a bright, shimmery look.  I use it every day – alone or as a layer!

 

7.       Cream Blush in Sheer Bliss($13):  This is a year round favorite.  It blends so well, and if you have dry skin, the cream blush feels great on.

8.       Lash Love WATERPROOF Mascara ($15):  The best mascara EVER now comes in Waterproof.  Fabulous!  

9.       Nourishine Lip Gloss in Fancy Nancy ($14):  Of course it’s Fancy Nancy.  The perfect pink for any skin tone with just a bit of shimmer.  Wear it alone or on top of your lipstick.  

10.   Satin Hands in Peach ($34):  Salt water and sun got your hands feeling dry and icky?  Soothe them with this 3 piece set that soothes, scrubs, and moisturizes.  Bonus – your hands smell like they bathed in a Bellini. 

Although I haven't had the chance to try it yet, I had to tell you about the new Lash and Brow Building Serum!  It swipes on just like a liquid eye liner and not only reduces the loss of lashes, but helps build thicker and stronger ones!  Monet likes to say it's perfect for those of us who "over plucked in the '90's!".  Ha!  Cracks me up, but yeah, maybe my brows could use a little love - I mean sculpted eye brows are in right now!  You don't have to believe me - just check out this video and watch the changes in the girls' lashes.  Gorgeous!  Plus, there are no scary side effects like the prescription lash enhancers...like your eye color changing - permanently - yikes!  The serum is only $38 so you better believe it is on my list!!

If these amazing (and affordable!) products didn't catch your attention maybe this will...

Monet has offered to give THREE of my readers a chance to win some Mary Kay products to spice up their summer look!  Here are the prizes:

First Prize:  $50 Mary Kay Gift Card

Second Prize:  $25 Mary Kay Gift Card

Third Prize:  $10 Mary Kay Gift Card

It's so easy to win!  Just enter below using the handy dandy Rafflecopter widget!  Good luck and happy shopping!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Day!

I know - the slacking hasn't ended.  Despite how hard I tried, I just never got back here to post,but today, I found out about an amazing product that is just about to get better, so I had to hop on and share!  Later this summer, we are going to be seeing the LeapPad2!!

This seriously excites me more than any announcement that could have come from Apple, or any other tech company.  My kids are addicted to their LeapPads, and the new improved features that will be coming with the 2 are amazing!  Here's a sneak peak at what you might be seeing...

First of all, this happened...

You should have seen Bean's face when she saw this!  Disney and LeapFrog have partnered to make this adorable princess bundle.  I think I want one.  For me.  Not only do  you get an adorable princess case, but you get the gorgeous stickers and decorated device.

The green version is also really cool, with an updated face plate that I think will give better contrast with the screen.

A few of my favorite new features -

• Longer battery life!  Wooohooo!! We already use rechargeable batteries, but these kids can go through those batteries quite quickly, especially on long trips.
• Front and back cameras with better quality images and the ability to record video.  Fun!
• More memory!  Yes!  We have so many apps and videos - this will definitely come in handy!
• Faster processor for easier playing.

I didn't think that the LeapPad could get better, but it just did.  I was able to find this amazing video on the LeapFrog site that made me even more excited!  First, for all of the new games, like the Brave one and the animation studio, and second because I know my kids are going to go wild for it all!  They can literally animate, narrate and put their own face into a unique video!  As P likes to say, how cool is that?!?

I remember that when the first LeapPad came out there were "over 100 apps and cartridges" and now there are more than 325!  I can say with all honesty that every game and video that my children have on their LeapPads is in some way or another educational.  They have learned reading, math, and social skills.  They are so tech savvy, and in this day and age, it is extremely important!  I can't say enough good things about this product or the company.  Even though the recommended age range is 3-9 years, Bean has had one since she was 18 months old and she really knows how to use it.  She can get to all of her videos, and she LOVES to take care of her pet.  She is constantly feeding him, playing with him and giving him a bath.  It is adorable to watch her blow in to the microphone to dry him off. :)

So, what do you think?? Will  you be pre-ordering the LeapPad2 on July 18th??  Mark your calendars or sign up for a reminder here. Keep in mind how impossible it was to find the LeapPad last year at Christmas!  I had alerts set up on my computer to help my friends and family who were searching frantically for them!  And in case you were curious, today marks the half way point to the holiday...yikes! 

Stay tuned - as I find out more I will be happy to share! :)

** I would just like to add that when my children get the new LeapPads I will be donating their old ones or tag selling them and donating the money.  Luckily, all of their games and downloads will work on the new device, with the 3 device limit remaining. :)