Sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. It is my favorite times of summer, I finally get to travel myself. The rest of my family have all taken trips this summer and it's finally my turn. We're a bit non-traditional over summer and don't always get to travel as a family. Earlier this summer my husband took our youngest on a special trip to LA. Both of the kids have traveled with my parents in their new RV; and my husband travels all the time for business. Our annual family getaway is coming up in a few more weeks as we head back to the river for some tubing with friends. ...but this is my week! It's a (mostly) pleasure trip with a little bit of work tossed in. Traveling can wear you out and flying can be horrible on your immune system. It's a great time to boost your vitamins and stock up on a few small travel items. I don't usually check bags when I fly, so having smaller travel sized body care items is essential. My friends at Sprouts Farmers Market are having a Vitamin ... [ Read More ]
Holiday Fun at Westfield Malls & #HowDoYouHoliday $100 Shopping Spree Giveaway
This post is sponsored by Westfield Malls. Next week is Thanksgiving! Christmas is just over a month away! ....1, 2, 3....big deep breath!!! You've got this!! The holidays always arrive quicker than I'm ready for them. With my day job, this is my busy season and I am working overtime just preparing for Black Friday & Cyber Monday. I barely have time to relax, sip hot cocoa, or do any early Christmas shopping for the family. I'm hoping to change some of this next week by working late nights and overtime to get the big projects for work done by this weekend. (If you know me in real life, you know this will never happen...I'll be working on Thanksgiving Day!) Westfield Mall is there to help you with your holiday stress and I have a $100 Westfield Mall Shopping Spree to giveaway to one of my local readers. If you don't know what you're shopping for, visit the Westfield Holiday Gift Guide to help you with your shopping list. This will help you make the most ... [ Read More ]
Summer Cravings with prAna and Stonyfield
This post is sponsored by Stonyfield Yogurt and prAna. Enter to win a pair of prAna Kara Jeans at the bottom of this post! Yesterday was the last day of school for the kids and it's officially summer break! We celebrated the end of the school year with a pool party for my kids and their friends; and the adults sat around and reflected on how fast they are growing up. Today we have relaxed around the house and haven't done much. I've had to work all day so the kids have been really bored, but I did stop for an afternoon swim and to make some yummy treats with them. Since it's hot outside and it's summer I decided we'd make some frozen yogurt bites for when they are done with their afternoon swim. I almost always have Stonyfield yogurt in the refrigerator. Stonyfield Frozen Granola & Yogurt Bites #SummerCravings Supplies needed: Stonyfield Whole Milk Greek Yogurt - Vanilla Bean Fruit Juice (your choice of flavors) Granola Muffin tin or mini-muffin ... [ Read More ]
Girls Just Want to Have Fun Giveaway
Do you have a little girl (or a little boy who rocks pinks and purples)? Today Thirsties adds a few new items to their collection of cloth diapers. They have added a new purple color, Iris, and a revamped print, Alice Brights. Alice Brights has been retired for quite a few years now, but has been revamped with poppy and iris colors. The trend this year with cloth diaper companies is to freshen up their color palette and Thirsties has done a great job with that task. While some of the soft "baby" colors remain, they are now complemented with some brighter, more vivid colors. As we near the end of summer, Iris, Poppy, and Alice Brights are the perfect transition from Summer to Fall. Alice Brights is available in the Duo Wrap, One-Size AIO, One-Size Pocket, Newborn AIO, and wet bag. The mailman delivered a wet bag to me today, but my daughter has already stolen it and filled it with toys! That's what I get for asking her to get the mail for me. Iris is available in the Duo ... [ Read More ]
Remember When…
This post is sponsored by Stonyfield Yogurt. Keep reading to enter to win a YoBaby prize pack. When did my kids grow up? I'm a mom of an almost 12 year old and a 6 year old. They are hardly babies any longer; even if they do still like to cuddle with mommy. I decided to pull out the baby book from my youngest's first year and reminisce over all the "firsts." You know, the first time they roll over, the first time they crawl, the first time the stand up and of course the first time they walk. I remember the days when they would try any food (or toys, noses, and anything that would fit in their mouth) you put in front of them. Both of my kids were fond of yogurt as babies and I love that my kids have been able to grow up as YoBabies, YoKids and now big kids who enjoy their yogurt. YoBaby contains organic whole milk, real fruit and nothing artificial. It was a great first food by itself or mixed with other ingredients. I love mixing a little fresh banana and avocado ... [ Read More ]
The Secrets of Cloth Diapering
This post is sponsored by Project Pomona and you can enter to win some amazing prizes (over $1200 worth) if you scroll to the bottom! Good luck! I have a huge secret for you... Cloth diapering a baby is easy! If you're new to cloth diapering and just starting to do your research you may be a little overwhelmed. I'm going to share with you some of my secrets so that you won't be scared any longer! I promise, you can do this!! 1. Start with the basics! There are a LOT of different styles of cloth diapers, but the main ones you need to know in the beginning are pocket diapers, all-in-one diapers, and diaper covers with prefolds. Pocket diapers are the most popular style because they are so versatile. All-in-ones are the easiest style and the style that is most like a disposable diaper; however they tend to cost the most. Covers with prefolds are the "old fashioned" style diaper and the most cost effective. Pick the style that best suits your financial and personal preferences ... [ Read More ]
Congratulations, it’s a…brand new Thirsties Newborn All-In-One
Sponsored by Thirsties Warning: Your ovaries may burst after reading this post. I am not responsible for any babies born 9 months from now. BONUS: Keep scrolling down to enter to win a 2 pack of the Thirsties Newborn AIO cloth diapers. Don't say that I didn't warn you! I mean, just look at those tiny little toes. Can't you just smell the new baby smell? Ok, focus...and try to convince yourself that you don't want another newborn. ...but if you are pregnant, expecting, or planning on having a newborn anytime soon, Thirsties has a brand new diaper just for you! When Thirsties released their new one-size all-in-one last year, people were concerned that they would no longer have a small newborn option. The OS AIO begins fitting around 8-10 lbs but one-size diapers tend to be bulky on newborns. That was one of the features that I truly loved about the Duo AIO (now retired), was that the Size 1 would fit those small newborns. Problem solved! About the Newborn ... [ Read More ]
Thirsties NEW Ocean Collection {and a Giveaway}
With the chill in the air across most parts of the country today, the new Thirsties Ocean Collection makes me want to pack up and move to a tropical island paradise. I know I really shouldn't complain with highs in the 50-60's here in Florida, but those 35-45 degree mornings are chilly for my thin blood. (I don't expect any sympathy from my northern friends.) Thirsties actually revealed their Ocean Collection earlier this Fall but they weren't done with production yet. You don't have to wait any longer though, because retailers have them in stock starting today! There are 5 new prints and 2 new solids making up the Ocean Collection. The prints are all soft tones of blue, yellow, grey and salmon on a white PUL. The 2 new solids are Coral and Fin. The prints include fun little fish, whales, squid, and sand dollars. While the prints do have a lot of blue; they are very gender neutral and would be adorable on your little sailor or mermaid. The Ocean Collection are available ... [ Read More ]
Giveaway – New Thirsties OS AIO + Rumparooz Sherbert
Did you see what was released today? Thirsties released their new One Size AIO and Rumparooz released their new Sherbert color. Both of these brands are based in Colorado and run by amazing families. Would you like to win one of each? I'm giving away one pair of these new diapers to a lucky winner!! All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below. Short cuts: As part of the Rafflecopter entries you'll need to comment on one of the release posts for either the Rumparooz Sherbert or the Thirsties New OS AIO. <---click the names to get to those posts! This giveaway is sponsored by Rumparooz & Thirsties and each diaper will be shipped to the winner from them. Giveaway is open to residents in the US over the age of 18 yrs. Ends Oct. 30th at 12:00am ET. Winner will be announced here! Good luck!! a Rafflecopter giveaway ... [ Read More ]
10 Tips for Reducing Plastic in our Lives
Take a minute and look around you. How much plastic do you see? So many products that we use everyday are made of or stored in plastic. Plastic will NEVER break down - EVER! You may be able to upcycle it or recycle it but there is a limit to the number of times it can be used. In the end, it will end up floating in our oceans as tiny little plastic pellets that will harm the animals and ecosystems. I won't go into the details behind all of the waste but I encourage you to visit a friend of mine, Beth Terry, and her blog My Plastic Free Life. While she may be one of the biggest advocates for living plastic free; we can all make little changes in our lives to help the problem. Keep reading and scroll down to enter the Balm Baby Plastic FREE July Challenge and Giveaway! I have compiled a quick list of practical tips on how we can all reduce the plastic in our lives. Don't let these overwhelm you - just pick a few of the items on the list and pay attention to the things that ... [ Read More ]