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. :)

Slacking

Hi everyone!!

Once again I am in a position where I need to apologize for being MIA.  I have a huge list of things that I want to write about, but I never seem to sit down and take the time to do it.  When I get on the computer I start to wander around Facebook and Twitter, checking out the blogs I love to follow, and by the time I am ready to actually write, someone needs me - aka thing 1 or thing 2.

So, a little update on what's been going on around here.  Well, we have a new family member who goes by the name "Jet Pack Echo Gecko".  Yup, we got a gecko, and yup, P named him, and shockingly, I love the little guy.  I actually take him out and let him chill in my hands at least once a day, and he is starting to be comfortable in his new home.  He is just a baby leopard gecko, so he is still quite fast and timid, but we are working on it.  He is living in P's room and both of the kids adore him, although they aren't quite sure about his being nocturnal.

Admit it, he's cute. ;)

Meanwhile we are just getting ready for the summer.  It's only been in the 60's around here lately which is both frustrating (since it is June), but kind of refreshing too, so no complaints here. 

Okay, so this is what I mean - I haven't spell checked - I haven't finished my thought and the little one is drawing on herself with a random crayon that she found.  Off to clean up..sorry, ya'll.  I'll be back.  Maybe with some thoughts on the Bachelorette and the rumors about the new Bachelor!  (Sign me up!! Husband shmusband ;))