Win big during our $200 Hello November giveaway! You have the option of choosing between $200 PayPal Cash OR an E-Gift Card of choice! This event was organized by The Kids Did It & The Mommy Island and sponsored by the awesome bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners! Make sure to check out all of the awesome fall and holiday ideas they have by clicking on their blog buttons below. Curl up by the fire and relax while you enter to win our Hello November event!
ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win $200 PayPal cash OR a $200 e-gift card of choice. Open for entry WW, 18 years and older from 11/01/17 at 12:01 a.m. ET thru 11/30/17 at 11:59 p.m. ET. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. A winner will be chosen after/around December 1, 2017. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. See Rafflecopter for official rules. The Kids Did It & The Mommy Island are responsible for sending the winner their prize via PayPal or e-gift card. The winner has the option of choosing between PayPal and an e-gift card.
Twitter ‘Egg’ profiles and dummy accounts are ineligible for entry and will be blocked. Authentic accounts only are eligible to win. Enter here! <—-
Fall is officially here and at my house we are getting in the Halloween spirit already.
My youngest has an obsession with scary and goury things so when i got the letter for the fall dance at his school, I knew i had to make a scary treat for the kids.
Every year I like to make something, and not tooting my own horn (ok.. maybe I am just a little), but my treats always sell out the fastest.
Last year I made little monster cupcakes with edible candy eyes and they actually looked like little alien monsters. The year before that was Jack Skellington sugar cookies which was fitting because that was my oldest’s Halloween costume that year. The year before that were pumpkin cupcakes…
This is a seriously simple treat, and doesn’t require much artistic ability, but I figured I’d share anyway in case you wanted to make these adorable little monster eyeball Cupcakes!
So, let me start off by saying yes.. the pictures are ehh, and I probably could’ve taken more step photography but honestly, I was rushing and just trying to get done. I had gone to the gym at 6am, then worked a 9 hour day, and just gotten home at the time, plus has dinner going in the oven simultaneously. I love to multitask, it’s one of my talents and I can be a bit hyperactive😀.
Here’s all you need;
I went with classic white cake because hey, eyeballs are white after all.. I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t find the green jelly candy rings because that was my initial plan, but these peach ones came out just fine and they taste super yummy! Did i mention they’re only $1 at the grocery store?
I picked through the m&m bag for only red since I was making scary monster eyes, but brown or any other color would work just as well.
I like them a little bigger for the kids treats for school functions, so i went auth my large baking cups from”if you care” and the color worked well since its a light natural beige and they’re safer for kids because they are free of all chemicals and chlorine.
For the next few steps, that’s where I slacked off. Maybe I was too excited to start decorating but you get the jist. Simple. Creative. Cute. Most important, really yummy!
*Note, I use olive oil in place of vegetable oil because it makes the cupcakes fluffier.
Enter to WIN 3 packs of IF YOU CARE cupcake holders ($12 Value!)!
You know I enjoy a good subscription box. So when I was invited to review Yogi Suprise, of course I jumped on board. It’s something about the ‘unknown’ when that box shows up on the mail, it makes it feel like ion opening a present!
New to market, Yogi Suprise is a monthly subscription box valued at over $70 a month according to their website. They only pass a $44.95 fee along to the customer for this monthly box (+ Free Shipping), and although the subscription auto-renews monthly once you sign up, you have the option to cancel at any time..
What’s different about Yogi Suprise? It promotes a healthy lifestyle, with Yoga, charity, and global well-being intertwined.
Not only do you get 6-7 full sized products to delve into, and monthly self healing Yoga sequences.. you also get a monthly chance to enter to win a retreat to a different island monthly. You can choose between the ‘Lifestyle or ‘Jewelry” boxes. The one i received is the lifestyle box, so it is a mix of goodies.
So without further delay, I present to you, my first Yogi Suprise Lifestyle box.
Check out their site for more info and to sign up and receive your box and save 15% for life with my code (coming soon) ♡ Yogi Suprise 《
Details of products;
Headbands For Hope
Peaceful Warrior Pouch
A Path of Light Clementine Scented hand lotion
WooBamboo toothbrush
‘This Bar Saves Lives’ snack bar
Just Tea
Yoga Sequence
Can’t leave out my little side kick who made an appearance in the video 😍😎 he was just as excited you unbox it as I was!
One of my new favorite things is getting my free DailyGoodieBox in the mail monthly. It’s the excitement of not knowing what is going to be in that months box that keeps me on edge!
Even more exciting is getting to share these wonderful goodies with you guys and tell you how to get your own FREE too!
Just head over to dailygoodiebox.com and sign up free. If the box matches you’re personality/ lifestyle you’ll get one in the mail for the month!
Another cool extra way to get a box for the month (or two 😊) is to check out their Facebook page and like it to follow and get updates on contests. You’ll also get to see the fun boxes other people have gotten!
Drum roll please…….. And the June Daily Goodie Box contents are:
This pack of Ginger tea came with 6, yes SIX packs of the tea crystals! I shared them with my coworkers since we are all fans of tea and it was a fun experience trying them. Be warned, it is VERY VERY strong of ginger. Not bad, but I wouldn’t say great. It was better when i added it to liptpn tea bags than on its own. I hear ginger is amazing for colds though so this is great too have handy.
To be completely honest, my kids and husband tore through these before o even got to try them, so I assume they were good 😁. Hey… they’re gummy bears! (but healthier)..
I wasn’t really a fan of how thick this was… similar to a milk consistency. It is protein though, so i guess it’s gotta have some substance to it. Maybe I was just caught off guard since I opened and chuffed it though lol… The flavor wasn’t bad and I would try it again if i saw it at the store.
Isn’t this little bottle the cutest? My grandmother always used to warm maple syrup in the microwave for my brother and I when we would sleep over her house. This brought back so many memories and I LOVE everything about it including the bottle.
This was another item I brought to work for a snack but wound up sharing it because everyone was so interested. I actually really liked it although it was bitter from the dark chocolate. I liked the texture and I feel like it did give me a little boost. Not everyone was a fan, but i want more!
Today is June 2nd, the unofficial start of Summer in my mind. It immediately makes me feel at ease knowing school is coming to an end for my kids and long play days in the yard await. Health has been on my mind as well since of course everyone wants to be in their best shape for the beach and water parks.
Lately I’ve been on sort of a health kick.. walking a mike a day on my lunch break at work and eating more consciously. I’ve been getting a little into essential oils and using my oil diffuser while i take a shower or a relaxing bath with a bath fizz and some eucalyptus scented Epsom salt.
It helps me to wind down from the day and just clear my mind. My kids have also used the eucalyptus to help with allergies and sinus issues, I just prop the diffuser in their room and they’re good to go after a couple hours relaxing with it filling the room with aromas.
With that being said, I want to give my opinion on a lesser known mom and pop store in my home town of Staten Island (I love saying I was born on an island because it’s true haha).
Www.Relaxbehealthy.com sent me a few items to check out and i have to say I’m really loving them. I haven’t had much experience with essential oil water sprays but these probably take the cake of i had to guess from what i see with their essential oils.
All of their products are organic and hand made in their shop with imported products from around the world. The items in reviewing are made from raw materials from Bulgaria and are the real deal.
First up to the plate is the Lavender Water. It’s a 4oz misting spray and is $10.99. It has a scent of lavender just a bit lighter then the oil, and is a super soft delicate mist.
All natural Bulgarian organic Lavender water:
Use to soothe skin, used for redness of soon, eczema, inflammation caused by mosquito bites (must try this!), and acne. It also helps eradicate dandruff and prevent scalp infections.
When sprayed directly only hair, it helps make hair shiny as it conditions the hair.
You can use the water spray as deodorant for your body, or even spray on furniture and around the home to deodorize.
There are many other different uses for lavender you can experiment with.
Now this Rose Water is my absolute favorite. They captured such am amazing scent I could wear it as a body must and probably will! Also $10.99 at their store, I wish you could smell it through this post, but if you do order from them, I suggest you put this in your cart.
All natural organic Bulgarian Rose Water:
It can help reduce the redness of irritated skin, get rid of acne, helps to maintain the skin’s PH balance, helps to hydrate the skin, helps to aid healing scars, cuts, wounds, regenerate skin tissues, dermatitis and eczema. It is a great cleanser and aids in removing oil and dirt accumulated in clogged pores, helps aging skin, wrinkles and fine lines
Extra fun uses include mood enhancer and spray the scent on your pillow to help to sleep better.
Enhance the quality of hair. Helps to rid dandruff, natural conditioner.
For dry & frizzy hair: Mix equal parts rosewater and glycerin, apply on the scalp, massage for 10-15 minutes. Let it stay for another 30 minutes and wash off with shampoo.
Last but not least is their 20ml Lavender Oil that retails for $24.99 but is currently on sale for $21.99 At their online boutique. This little potent bottle is much more fragrant then any other essential oil I’ve gotten and you can tell it’s just so fresh and pure. Check out my buffet below to see what i compared it to.
Today, lavender oil benefits your body in the following ways:
Every year, the biggest companies get together for what is known as the NY Baby Show.
Mommy-to-be’s and veteran moms alike scouting the venue for the hottest new items for baby and mom, and once again Momtrends has hosted some of us mom’s for a special day of pampering and mingling so that we can bring the show to you if you couldn’t attend.
There are over 100 vendors, and with so much to see and talk about, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 3 favorites for you.
#1 is the Austlen stroller. 1 word – VERSATILITY! With over 30 handy configurations, this is the future of strollers and should be at the top of every parents wish list. Check out just a few of the life altering configurations… you’ll wonder how you ever did “life” without it. (Photos via Austlen.com)
This handy dandy stroller can hold up to 150lbs of groceries, kids, and hey… I won’t judge if you want to take a seat😊.
Luxury does come at a steep price though… at a whopping $849, it comes in either black or navy blue. Assuming you can afford this #1 pick, at least you can justify it by the fact it’ll make hope life easier, and happy wife = happy life and all..
#2 is the ergoPouch. It’s no wonder it originated in the ‘down under’. It reminds me of a kangaroo pouch mixed with a swaddle blanket. Enter to win a ergoCocoon swaddle to sleep bag valued at $34.99!
We’ve all seen the swaddle at babies r’ us and various other places, so what makes ergoPouch different? Well, they’re made from natural fibers which make them breathable and regulate temperature which are two of the most important things. I can remember “unwrapping” my babies after they slept all night swaddled and every time they were drenched in sweat.
This also makes them perfect for any weather and eliminate the need for extra blankets. They have sleep sacks for infants, and even these adorable toddler sleep suits that make the transition from passed out toddler, to sleeping cozy toddler a breeze.
Check out their neat categories, I promise you’ll want one for your sweet little one. (Photos via Ergopouch.com)
The best part? All that cuteness will only run you between $20-$35, that is assuming you can control yourself and only buy one 😉..
#3 is Wellements Baby Organic Gripe Water aka the organic way to very more cuddles! Enter to WIN a gift from Wellements (entries taken until 6/7).
I think every new parent looks for a miracle to help their baby when that first fussy fit arrives. Typically during te first week home from the hospital, adjusting to life and formula/breastmilk, your new baby is bound to fuss a bit. Typically, tiny gas bubbles are the problem and they can be fixed with mylicon drops of fennel when my boys were young.
Now, there is an organic alternative that doesn’t only help with gas, but any uncomfort your babies belly may feel, even hiccups! (Via Wellementsbaby.com)
Lastly, special shout out to water wipes. We try to keep our babies butts clear, but what if the wipes we are using are the ones causing the nasty rashes we rush to cure? Water wipes relieves the stress of that, pure and simple.
This past week was my 31st birthday and we did our annual tradition casino trip. This time we decided to go to the Sands Casino in Bethelhem, PA instead of our usual trip to Atlantic City. We had an amazing meal at Emrils’s Chophouse Burger and gambled a little bit (and lost).
We didn’t wind up staying at the casino hotels because they were extremely over priced with their rates and has no promotions. If you’re looking for an alternative, cheaper place to stay, we stayed at the Comfort Suites which is only 5 minutes away and they offer a free shuttle to the casino up until midnight.
Lucky for me I was able to drive in style with the all knew 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring.
The interior made the vehicle feel so luxurious, ivory leather with black trim. Having two boys, I don’t think I could ever have this choice as my day-to-day car since it would be dirty in a matter of days, but we managed to keep it nice and clean for the week, even in the rain and mud.
I mean, look at this. Who wouldn’t want to jump in this car and go for a ride? At only $21k starting MSRP, anyone can afford to drive in style (and Safety!).
The exterior reminds me alot of a BMW, just the curviness and sleek front end. The headlights are just like any new 2017 vehicle, hologen, very bright and have feature to be automatic so that you don’t ever need to remember to turn them on and off.
That’s something I used to whole time as I currently use it in my Ford.
One thing that stands out to me is the number of safety features it has right off the bat. Similar to the 2016 model, which was a top rated safety vehicle of 2016, the 2017 model has the windshield display that is projected and only the driver can see it.
It’s customizable and shows stop signs, vehicle distance and speed limit. It alerts you if you are tailgating too close, or trying to get over when another vehicle is in your blind spot. The navigation also links to this display so that you do not have to take your eyes off of forward view and look at the console. I really liked how the display looks and the subtle alerts are a big help, especially when driving with kids can be distracting (did I mention 2 boys yelling at their tablet games in the back?).
As a compact vehicle, you really do not give up much space with this one. The trunk is huge and can be folded down to the back seat to allow for deeper cargo to be transported. I was able to fit a weeks worth of groceries in the trunk with no problem.
Gas mileage is WONDERFUL, avg is 32hmpg. I had it for an entire week, with a filled tank i drove out of state to the casino, to and from work daily, which is 25 minutes away, and misc other errands and did not need to put gas on it once.
One of the things we did this week is go to Benihana with the kids. It was my 4 year olds first time there and he enjoyed the flames coming from the hibatchi grill maybe as much as he enjoyed the chopsticks. This is one of my favorite places to eat, the chicken fried rice is to die for! Luckily I’m part of the birthday club so every year I get a $30 certificate to use to cover my meal. If you haven’t been, I suggest you go.
We had a great weekend overall thanks to Mazda for giving us this ride for the week to make it happen!
Last but not least, I want to touch on Mazda’s amazing donation program “drive for good”. Mazda established the Mazda Drive for Good charitable program as a way to give back to the communities in which it does business. Since it’s launch in 2013, the Mazda program has donated more than $12.9 million, has pledged not than 192,000 charitable service hours, and continues to provide monetary donations and community service throughout the year
I used my card to donate to St. Jude’s Cancer hospital for children as it is something that is very important to me.
Win big during our $200 Hello November giveaway! You have the option of choosing between $200 PayPal Cash OR an E-Gift Card of choice! This event was organized by The Kids Did It & The Mommy Island and sponsored by the awesome bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners! Make sure to check out all of the awesome fall and holiday ideas they have by clicking on their blog buttons below. Curl up by the fire and relax while you enter to win our Hello November event!
