Erin Condren {Review & Giveaway}

You have probably read (on more than one occasion) my attempt to get my life under control.  Because I have so many responsibilities on a daily basis, I often worry that something is going to be forgotten, or left undone.  (Does any other mom out there check the carseats before turning the car on to make sure ALL of their kids are in the car and strapped in??)

I have two kids, a husband, a house, a dog, a cat, and 4 part-time jobs.  I also do volunteer work in our community, and sometimes like to have a social life. ;)

I seriously question what day it is sometimes, and I was starting to let the chaos overwhelm me. 

Anyhoo, this morning I received my "Life Planner" from Erin Condren and I cannot tell you how THRILLED I am to finally have a way to keep my stuff together!  This organizer has EVERYTHING from weekly planning pages to monthly pages, from pockets for storage to a plastic zipper pouch.  There is a place for notes, a place for phone numbers and emergency information, and a place to keep a record of special dates like birthdays and anniversaries.  Each month has it's own tab so it's easy to find

what you're looking for quickly.  As if it couldn't get any better, this planner comes in some really gorgeous designs, and you can even personalize it with your own colors and/or pictures.

I was so excited and surprised when I opened my package and in my zipper pouch were some of Erin Condren's beautiful, personalized labels!  I really wish I had ordered more, but luckily for you, there is a promotion going on for 40% off a Life Planner and Gift Label combo!  That is a sweet, sweet, deal, and I am so bummed I missed it!  I actually wish I could use that promo to order my 2013 planner! Ha!

When I was shopping for my planner, I was going back and forth between the Year Round Notebook and the Life Planner, but after I watched this amazing video I knew I needed the Life Planner.

I had the hardest time choosing a design for my cover, but I ended up doing what I usually do when I am indecisive...asking my children.  Yup, my 20 month old chose my planner.  She picked the "taffy" design, but I ended up customizing it so that the smaller sections were light gray and the center section was coral.  I LOVE it but there are seriously a ton of really gorgeous products!

Okay, ready for the best part??  You can WIN a $25 e-gift card to ErinCondren.com right here!  Yipppeee!! I am soooo excited about this giveaway!  Here's how you can win...

Each of the following count as one entry.  Please leave a separate comment for each of the following that you complete.

• Become a public follower of Stuff Mom Loves (MANDATORY)
• Visit www.ErinCondren.com and tell me what you would use your gift card to purchase.
• Like ErinCondren.com on Facebook.
• Follow ErinCondren.com on Twitter.
• Post about this giveaway on your Facebook or Twitter account and leave a link.  (1 entry each)
 

This contest will end on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at 11:59 pm.  A winner will be chosen and announced shortly after.

Erin Condren dot com provided me with a discount on my purchase for this review.  They are also providing the giveaway prize.  I was not compensated by ErinCondren.com in any other way.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine alone.



Family Update

So, I haven't really been posting all that often, or at least, as often as I'd like, so I thought I'd take advantage of my hubs being home today and do a little family update.

My little P is not so little anymore!  In fact, we just took him for his 4 year check up and his height is in the 99th percentile!  I think he is going to be taller than me by the time he's 8. :)  He is just the sweetest, most adorable, most loving boy (I'm not bias!) and I can't get enough of him.  Nothing new there!  He is currently loving super heroes (still), eating us out of house and home, and cracking me up with his jokes and silly stories.  He is a master negotiator, and often manages to convince that what he "needs" is what he should get.  By "needs" he means "wants" - like Wugglepets, and ice cream, and one more show before bed time.  I, of course, am so proud of how smart he is, and how caring he is, and adore spoiling him rotten!

Bean is still our little peanut, at only the 30th percentile for her height at 20 months.  I can not believe she is going to be 2 soon!  She is a little chatter box and is super animated when she talks.  She is also super lovey, and gives the best big hugs.  She does however, have a major mischievous side, and loves to test her limits.  She climbs on everything, insists on doing things herself, and pretty much stands up to every "second child" stereotype you can think of.  She is also a major girlie girl, loving purses and shoes and hair bows which thrills me because I am the same way! ;)

Hubs and I are great - celebrating 10 years together next month!  10 years went so unbelievably fast, but from the moment I met him, I knew that someday we would be sitting in our living room, each of us with a kid on our lap, watching Disney movies like we are right now.  <3

So that's pretty much what's going on.  I'm super busy with work, but am so grateful to have work.  Same goes for hubs.  We are blessed with so many great friends and family and try to spend as much time as possible with them, and even took the time to have an AMAZING night out in the city last weekend with some wonderful friends, and no kids. 

My goal for this week is to get my life a little more organized, and part of that organization comes in the form of a giveaway for you...and next week, a second giveaway!  And let me tell you these are big - HUGE.  Can't wait?? Me either! Stay tuned!!!

A Little More Bloom

I admit it.  I'm addicted.

Ever since seeing the Bloom Zen, I have been stalking the Bloom website designing and redesigning my next child's nursery.  (And, NO, I'm not announcing anything!  Just planning ahead...far ahead...or maybe for my future nieces and nephews. ;))

So, here's the thing.  I feel like when people think of a nursery, they think pink bunnies and blue ruffles, and lots of "sugar and spice".  Don't get me wrong - that's fine, but it just doesn't fit everyones home decor or style, so why is it that there aren't more sleek, modern companies that provide functional, FASHIONABLE, nursery gear???

Well, Bloom does.  And Bloom is going to be a big part of the next nursery I design...whether it be in my house or not.  Here's what I'd include...

Without a doubt, the Bloom Alma Papa Crib would be a part of the room.  I love the look of the cappuccino wood, but might go with the frost gray or white for a little girl.  I am crazy about smokey lavenders and the frost gray would be amazing with a lavender bedding.

I like this crib because it definitely makes a statement, but it's design is also clean and sophisticated.  Not to mention it folds when it's not in use!  GENIUS!  I can't tell you how many times we have had to move our kids furniture around when we've had a lot of overnight company.  A crib that can fold and wheel into a corner would be so great for times like that!  You can also convert this crib into a toddler or daybed which means your child can use it for many years, and afterwards, it would still be a usable and beautiful piece of furniture.

Of course, I would need the Alma dresser as well.  Besides it's obvious visual appeal, this dresser is made of solid wood, and features slow closing drawers.  (If you have toddlers you know that this is a finger and furniture saver!)

And then, last, but certainly not least, the Coco.  This single piece of wood serves as a rocker, lounger, and seat for your little one, without clashing with your living room/nursery/bedroom/etc decor.

The Coco comes in many different combinations of wood and seat pads, but I really love the cappuccino with the harvest orange.  It seems appropriate for boy or girl, winter or summer, and is neutral enough to fit into any room.  I feel like this could easily become an heirloom piece because of it's solid construction and classic feel.

Modern and classic seem like they shouldn't be able to go together, but Bloom as managed to make their pieces capture both essences.

Ahhh,  Bloom, you've stolen my heart! ;)

Bloom Baby Zen

A while back I was travelling in Newport, RI with my husband and our son.  We sat down to eat at this beautiful restaurant on the water, where I was sure their decor wouldn't allow for high chairs, but we had no choice but to bring our little love, so I asked.  Instead of bringing out one of those ugly, crusty, brown seats that I want to Clorox the heck out of, they brought out this baby.

The Bloom Fresco.  That was the moment that my love affair with Bloom began, and now, my love is growing even more.

You see, after becoming a mom, I kind of traded in bags and shoes, for more practical fashion accessories...you know, like strollers.  I love strollers.  I am always looking for the newest and best designs.  For companies that integrate technology with fashion and function.  For something pretty to push my little loves around in. :)  Well, Bloom has done it again.

Introducing the Bloom Zen.

Not only is this all-terrain stroller beautiful, but it is full of all kinds of amazing features.  First, it folds flat.  Yes, completely flat.  Have you ever seen an all-terrain stroller that could do that?!?  And, when it is folded, it is free standing!  No holding the baby in one arm, balancing the stroller on your leg, while fumbling for your keys.  Just fold, stand, and do what you got to do.  Nice.  It also boasts a fully integrated solar lighting system.  Want to go for a walk at dusk?  No problem.  Need to stroll to the corner store after dark?  Easy.  LOVE it!

The Zen is also relatively light weight.  At 20 lbs, it's easily one of the lightest all-terrains I've seen.  And another plus, and rarity in all-terrain's, you can pair the Zen with the Bloom Yoga to take your newborn on all your runs, jogs, hikes, and walks through the park.



When you buy a stroller, you are making an investment in a piece of gear that you are probably going to have for a very long time.  My son is 4 and we are still using his single stroller with my daughter, (although I'm hoping to trade it in for a Zen sometime soon ;) ).  You want to buy the best quality, from a trusted company, and you want it to have a modern, but classically trendy feel, so that you want be "out of season" when the next kid comes along.

In my humble opinion, that is the Bloom Zen.  Right now the Zen and Yoga are available to pre-order here.  I'm feeling like the monochrome is going to be the way our little suburban family is going to go, but if I still lived in the city, it would be cmyk all the way!  Which is your favorite?

I think I'm going to make a quarter year resolution...if I get this new Zen, I'm going to pair it with a new pair of Nike+ and I'm going to get back into running.  I still have a little lot of baby weight, and I think I'd look pretty cute jogging down the road with my Bean in the Zen.  Beach body by Summer??  We'll see...

A Day of Love!

To celebrate Valentine's Day I decided to share some of my favorite "love" inspired pins.  Hopefully you all aren't sick of Pinterest, because honestly, I can't get enough!!  So here they are, in no particular order!  I hope you all have an amazing day with your loves, big, small, male, female, human, or pet.  I've got some very special Valentines in all those varieties! ;)  xoxo

Yummmmmmy

Adorable!  I would definitely use craft flowers because I would want to eat all of those yummy conversation hearts when I was done ;)

Adorable and easy to make!  Think I'll make this with soup for lunch!

Chocolate Cupcake Liners....yeah, these are a recipe I will be saving for any time of the year!!

Definitely making these for P's school next year...too cute for words!!

That's all for today folks!  Have a great Valentine's Day! <3

Stages of Beauty Follow Up

Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend!  Ours was super productive and relaxing...until the Pat's lost.  Boohoo.  ;(

Either way, this morning, when  I woke up, I was feeling refreshed!  The sun is shining, my kids are (knock on wood!) happy and quiet, and my skin is feeling super smooth and bright! 

You probably remember that I had the privilege of reviewing Stages of Beauty's Radiance Cream and Serum on A Frog in My Soup.  In just a few days my skin was more hydrated and I felt like the dullness of my winter skin was beginning to disappear.  When I told my wonderful contacts at SOB how much I was enjoying the cream and serum, they were kind enough to send me the scrub and cleanser, and let me tell you, my skin is in heaven!

It's been about 2 1/2 weeks of consistently using the entire Radiance line, and I seriously have seen the dark spots on my face begin to lighten, the dark circles under my eyes begin to fade, and I just feel brighter and more radiant.  It's so hard to describe, but you know what your skin looks like on an average day, so when day by day you start to see your skin improving, it's such an amazing feeling!  I just turned 29 (for the first time, I swear! ;)) and I'm starting to really realize how important it is to take care of your skin.  I want to be the person who has the skin of a 29 year old for a very, very, long time.  Feeling young and vibrant means acting young and vibrant.  I notice the minute that I wash my face and apply my serum and cream that I feel better about myself.  I feel refreshed and it truly gives me a burst of energy in the morning.  I find that lately I am holding my head a little higher because I feel prettier.  As silly as that may sound, as a mom of 2 toddlers, there are only a few occasions when I get to just be me and feel like a pretty, young women again.  (Moms, you hear me, right?!?)

Anyhoo, I wanted to share my love of this product with you because I am so grateful for getting to try it.  We only get one set of skin, so we better treat it right! 

Stages of Beauty knows that you will love their products, so they offer everyone a risk-free trial!  You can get yours by going here.

If you are no longer using the Radiance line, don't worry, they have specially formulated skin care for everyone!  You can find more information on all of their lines by visiting their shop.  When you try their products come back and let me know what you think!  I'm sure you will be just as happy with their skin care as I am! :)

Oh, and don't forget, you can also find Stages of Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!   

Mega Valentine's Day Gift Guide & Giveaway!

If you haven't already visited A Frog in My Soup this week, you need to head on over!  We have a TON of giveaways going on for some really great products!!  Tomorrow is our last review, but you will have until next Wednesday, February 8th to enter to win all of the fabulous goodies that we are sharing.  Here's a sneak peak and some links you might want to check out.  ;)

First, check out the AMAZINGLY soft and comfortable blankets that Saranoni has to offer.  Then head over to my review to find out how to win one for you or your little love.  We have a "Toddler to Teen" blanket and an "XL" blanket and I sleep with them every night. :)

Once you've done that, you MUST enter to win a $50 gift card to KLMc Designs.  See that beauty to the left??  Those are my kids actual footprints from the hospital.  I have barely taken this off since it came in the mail.  I am in love with how special it is and I hope that someday it will mean as much to my babies as it does to me.  Want to get your own?  Enter here!

If you are still looking for the perfect gift for a dad or dad-to-be, don't look any further!  Check out the amazing gifts from DaddyScrubs, and then enter to win a pair over at AFIMS!  These scrubs are comfy, cool, and will make any new dad feel super special!  Not to mention I don't know a girl out there who doesn't like a man in Scrubs! ;)





Alrighty, that's all I'm telling you for now, but head over to A Frog in My Soup for the complete run down, and don't forget that there is still time to enter to win an Innovia Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser too!! :)