Week 8 Weight Loss (or Should I Say Gain)

I wasn't even going to do this post today. I knew this week was going to be bad. I can flat out admit that it has been the worst week since January 1st in terms of my eating. It was so bad that I actually had dreams last night that I went to weigh in and had gained 15 pounds. So I was just gonna skip this week and try really hard to get back on track for next week. But then I remembered why I am doing this on my blog. I am accountable to you, my loyal readers. I owe it to you and myself to be honest through it all.

So the ugly, honest truth? I ate two boxes of Popem donuts in 4 days. Are you cringing right now? I am. It all started with the fact that a 7-11 opened down the street from our neighborhood. So we decided to stop in one night and check it out. My plan was to get something like a small slurpy. Nope, I spotted the Popems and went to town eating them on the couch all night.

The next day I finished the Popems (my husband and daughter had some... but I had the majority) and I went into a major crave freak out. I called my husband at work and asked him to bring home more. Isn't that the sign of a problem?

So then on Saturday I decided that I better make up for it and do some exercise. It was a beautiful day so we took the baby for a nice loooong walk. A two hour walk to be exact. But about half way through I started to have a lot of pain in my knee. I don't know why (maybe I'm just really out of shape?) but I now have a big, ugly, swollen knee that hurts to walk on.

So my plan for the week was to exercise and eat well so that I could get back on track. Now exercise seems to be out of the picture. But none the less, I let myself down big time this past week and I don't intend to make that mistake again.

The results:

Starting Weight: 177.2

Week 1: 174.8

Week 2: 175

Week 3: 173.4

Week 4: 175

Week 5: 174.4

Week 6: 174

Week 7: 173.4

Week 8: 175.8

Weekly Gain/Loss: +2.4

Total Gain/Loss: -1.4

First Goal: 165 by March 31st

 

This is a huge blow. I have erased several weeks of small loses in one week of a big gain. My goal now seems to be unrealistic, but I am going to keep working at it. Lesson learned!

Felicity and Cordelia: A Tale of Two Bunnies Review and Giveaway

FELICITY AND CORDELIA: A Tale of Two Bunnies by Lisa Jahn-Clough (FSG/Feb 2011) is a sweet tale of friends who are very different. Felicity likes adventures, while Cordelia prefers to stay home. When Felicity sets off on a hot-air balloon adventure, Cordelia stays home and bakes pies--and tries not to worry. This is a lovely story about staying friends in spite of--or perhaps because of--being different. Here's a link to the author's website with a cute book trailer.

This book is absolutely adorable! From the story to the illustrations. It was so enjoyable for me to read this with my daughter. It really illustrates how kids have different interests, but that their bond of friendship can still be strong. They don't have to do everything together, but it's nice to support each other and cheer each other on. These two bunnies are very different, but you can see how much they care about each other and want to spend time together.

This is a great book to open up conversations about being different. It's also a good way to talk about accepting their friends interests and not pushing what you want to do on others. It's important to be understanding and find ways to enjoy spending time together. It's really very cute!


Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a copy of Felicity and Cordelia: A Tale of Two Bunnies!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me who you would like to win this for!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on March 14, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

The Flexi Clip from Lilla Rose - Review and Giveaway!

As a very busy mom of a toddler I am always looking for quick and easy ways to take me from rag-a-muffin to stylish momma. One of the hardest things to keep up with is my hair. When my daughter was first born I cut it pretty short to cut back on maintenance time. But that look just wasn't for me. I love my hair long, but I find I wear it in a pony tail pretty much every day.

The main reason I wear a pony tail so often is that my hair cannot be left to dry alone. If I leave it down and let it dry while I go about my day I will literally look like a lion. It's thick and wavy. It also holds moisture really well, so it take forever to dry. Answer: pony tail. But a plain pony tail makes me look about 12. It's not sophisticated or stylish. So when I was introduced to Lilla Rose I was so excited!

Lilla Rose has the most awesome hair product I have ever used, the Flexi Clip! No more headaches, no more pins, no more plastic claws! Our Clip is different from other hair accessories because of the following features: Our clip is ornate: beautifully designed in a multitude of colors; it is amazingly flexible which most items of it’s kind are not; it is one-piece so you do not have to worry about losing a piece of it; the Flexi Clip is also very durable and finally, it locks so the pin does not slip out. Our flexible clip will fit in just about any thickness of hair. We have six sizes: mini’s, extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large.

 

Lilla Rose has a huge selection of gorgeous Flexi Clips! I decided on the Etched Lily with Amethyst. When it arrived I was pleased to see just how simple it is to use. I gathered all my hair into a low pony tail and simply slide the clip so that it was latched. It held my hair all day with a loose, elegant look. It's amazing how quickly and easily you can dress your hair up with these clips! I am still working on some of the fancier do's... it takes some practice, but once I get it down it will be great to switch up my looks! (Their website has some great instructional videos on how to do some cool styles!)

Giveaway: One lucky winner will receive a Flexi Clip of their choice (up to $15 in value)

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Lilla Rose and tell me which Flexi Clip you would pick!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Like Lilla Rose on Facebook
7. Follow Lilla Rose on Twitter

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on March 12, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Oscar Party Games from Python Printable Games Review

Who do you think will win Best Picture this Sunday?!

For a pop culture junkie, like myself, the Academy Awards are my Superbowl!  Every year I plan a big party, create some clever invitations based on word play using all the Best Picture nominee titles.  I organize a Hollywood-themed menu with a different cocktail each year...nothing too difficult, but usually something that involves champagne or prosecco.  And I always print out enough ballots for my guests so that before the awards ceremony officially begins, everyone is able to make their own predictions about who will be taking home a statue at the end of the night.  And, of course, I have a Grand Prize for the guest with the most correct predictions, usually a DVD or a movie poster.  It's always so much fun!

This year I am going to use the Oscar Party Games Pack from Python Printable Games at my party.  For $19.95, you can download, save and print out copies of sixteen Oscar and movie-related trivia sheets.  They are really fun, easy to use, and they all come with answer sheets.  So you can print out a bunch for your own Oscar party!   In addition to an Oscar Ballot, there are a bunch of sheets about Oscar Trivia, including cool information such as "How much does an Oscar weigh?" (Answer: 8.5 lbs)  There are also trivia and activity sheets focused on James Bond villains, Lord of the Rings, Disney characters, and Famous Beach movies. My favorite sheet is the one where you can match up past Best Director winners with the titles of the films they directed.  I love movie trivia! 

I do wish the company included all the sheets in one zip download.  Right now you have to download each of the sixteen documents individually.  It only took a few minutes, but I'd have loved to just download one file and print out multiple copies for my guests. 

I hope your Oscar party is lots of fun this weekend!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

My Blog Spark and Green Giant - Review and Giveaway

There are three things I love about Green Giant Boxed Vegetables. The first being that they are quick and easy. I love being able to toss these in the microwave and have pipping hot veggies on the table in about 5 minutes. The second is how great they taste. In my house convenience means nothing if I don't have the great taste to back it up. And the third is how it supports me with my journey to loose weight using Weight Watchers. I don't have to go looking everything up in my book or online. I can just glance at the packaging and see the points value right on them!

Green Giant Boxed Vegetables can help you stay on track to achieve your weight management goals in 2011. Twenty-nine delicious varieties are now endorsed by Weight Watchers®, and most have only a 1 or 2 PointsPlus^® value per serving! Packed with flavor and ready in minutes, Green Giant Boxed Vegetables are available in a wide variety of flavors, many featuring mouthwatering sauces and seasonings. They’re a terrific addition to any meal and a delicious way to achieve better health in 2011. 

Green Giant frozen vegetable have been in my freezer for as long as I can remember. I really enjoy them. But when I was given the opportunity through My Blog Spark to try them out for review I had to say yes. So I made up the box that was sent to me as part of last night's dinner. We served up some tilapia, mashed potatoes and Green Giant's broccoli with cheese. Yummmmy!

The results were no surprise. The bowl was empty in a matter of minutes and my husband and I both agreed it was delicious! If there were one thing I could change about them would be that the packages are small. For the two of us and a toddler they work ok, but if we added another person or when the baby gets bigger we will probably need two boxes per meal... and that can add up. But overall, I think it's a great product!

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a Green Giant Prize Pack that includes a VIP Coupon to try out one of the Green Giant Boxed Vegetables, and insulated tote, serving bowl, spoon, and pedometer! (I love the bowl and spoon they sent me!)

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me your favorite vegetable!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Like Green Giant on Facebook
7. Follow Green Giant on Twitter

This giveaway is open to US only.
This giveaway ends on March 11, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

*The information, prize pack and giveaway have all been provided by Green Giant through MyBlogSpark.

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the PJ Greetings Customized Stamp and the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You Giveaways!!

PJ Greetings - #64 Laura

Chicken Soup for the Soul - #2 SweetShenanigans

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

The Distance Doodler by Glow Crazy! - Review and Giveaway

My daughter has a fascination with flashlights. I think they are a favorite of most kids and even some adults. There's just something mesmerizing and magical about seeing things in the dark. My husband loves to play this game with my daughter where she shines the flashlight on him and he swats the light. She laughs so hard!

The Distance Doodler from Glow Crazy is even cooler than playing with a flashlight! While we were playing with this I immediately pictured a bunch of kids at a sleep over having the best time. It's really cool and really magical because they will be in awe with what this does. Basically you get the package and inside you have 2 large canvases (that are wall clings and easily get put up and take down... we did this several times and it did not do any damage to our wall). It also come with the wand that makes the light, some stencils for getting creative and a booklet with some fun ideas.
When you shine the light at the canvas you can draw in the dark. It's amazing! And here's the best part. What you draw lasts for a while and then fades. So you can play with this over and over again! You can also shine the light from up to 10 feet away, so you can do it on the wall or ceiling... you can really get creative!

My daughter thought this was really cool. She would point it and see the lines she was drawing appear and say "wooooow." She's definitely a little young to really use this to it's fullest (it is recommended for ages 6 and up). My husband and I got carried away and played tic tac toe and had drawing contest. We wrote messages to each other. Really this could provide hours of fun! I tried to take some pictures of the cool things we wrote and drew but my camera made them all come out black... boo! But it looked so awesome in person!

 

You can purchase this really fun activity on their official site for only $24.99.... or you could win one here!

 

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win their own Distance Doodler!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!
MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me you want to win!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to everyone.
This giveaway ends on March 10, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Wordess Wednesday

Time to Eat the Donuts!!

(This is what not having a kitchen does to breakfast)

Florida's Natural Orange Juice - Review

I had forgotten how much I love Florida's Natural Orange Juice. Since going on Weight Watchers I had limited myself to black coffee in the morning. But when I was given the opportunity to review Florida's Natural my mouth started to water. I really do love orange juice! And it's really good for you, so I should keep it in my daily diet.

Here is a little bit about Florida's Natural:

Most people think all orange juice is from Florida. But did you know that Tropicana® Pure Premium and Simply Orange® sometimes import their juice? Because Florida’s Natural is owned by Florida growers, every drop of their orange juice comes only from homegrown Florida oranges. Never imported. And supporting American growers is always in style. For more information about Florida’s Natural, visit http://bit.ly/b46i39.

The morning that I woke up after picking up a carton I was really excited. Yup, it was as yummy and refreshing as I remembered. That carton didn't last long and I intend on getting more. It's a great way to start your morning and wake up your taste buds!

I also love that they offer such a wide variety of flavors. I am a no pulp orange juice kinda girl. I like to keep it simple. But every once in a while it's good to spice things up. Florida's Natural has great flavors like Raspberry Lemonade, Florida's Grapefruit, Cranberry Ruby Red Cocktail, and more. You can learn more and check out their full selection here.

Florida's Natural is also running a sweepstakes to win a year's supply of orange juice! Sweet deal! You can enter on their Facebook page.

Week 7 Weight Loss

 

Wow, seven weeks. I can't believe it! This has definitely not been an easy journey, but looking back it sure has gone by fast!

This week was tough. Monday was my birthday and Valentine's Day, so we have had cake and chocolate in the house all week. I've been doing my best not to go overboard, but I have indulged a little.

We also had a little set back with out kitchen remodel and found ourselves without counters or a sink for a few days. You know what that means... take out! And with everything going on exercise was almost nonexistent... though I did get out for a walk on the two gorgeous days we had. Now we are back to inches of snow. Spring where are you? I'm thinking spring and posting a photo for inspiration!

 This is me the summer of 2008.... right before I got pregnant with little miss!

So here we go....

Starting Weight: 177.2
Week 1: 174.8

Week 2: 175

Week 3: 173.4

Week 4: 175

Week 5: 174.4

Week 6: 174

Week 7: 173.4

Weekly Gain/Loss:-.6

Total Gain/Loss: -3.8

First Goal: 165 by March 31st

 

Things are moving REALLY slowly. It's a little discouraging, but I can't get too upset because I'm still losing. I just feel like these teeny tiny loses are not really adding up to much... but I'm hoping they will in the end.

I need to keep with this! How did you do this week?

Kid-E-Cover by Elicole Review

Childproofing has been an obsession of mine. Since my daughter was born... before she could walk or even crawl... I was moving cleaning solutions up high, covering outlets, putting up gates. The fact of the matter is that an accident can happen in a flash second. When you least expect it. When you turn your back or are watching it all go down. All the childproofing in the world won't guarantee an accident free home. But, the more precautions you take the better.

At Elicole they feel that "Your Family is Our Concern." That simple statement says a lot. It tells you that they are creating products with a genuine concern for safety and will provide the best possible protection for our little ones. And what is one of the first things we often childproof? Electrical outlets.

Elicole created the Kid-E-Cover to make our lives easier while still providing a functionally safe environment. I initially put the little plastic covers in all my outlets. And I kid you not when I tell you that every time I needed to take one out to plug something in I had to ask my husband or pry it off with something else. It kinda gave me an excuse not to vacuum.

The Kid-E-Cover is so much easier to use. You put it on like a regular outlet covers but it is closed where there are normally openings for your plugs. It has a little latch on the side that you simply slide up to plug something in. Then when you unplug it automatically closes again. So easy! And my house has been much cleaner since we put it in.

Kid-E-Covers are affordable and fabulous! You can purchase them on Amazon.com or from the Elicole website.

Winner!

Random.org has chosen our winner for the Couponizer Giveaway!!

#50 - Jenny Stamos

Congratulations to our winner! An e-mail notification has been sent. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Nu Skin Review

My skin has been through a lot. I'm happy to say that I am now aware of how to take care of my skin and I am making efforts to keep it healthy and young looking. But as a teenager and in my early twenties that never occurred to me. I have spent hours in the sun without sunscreen on, I had terrible acne for awhile and used everything under the sun and a lot of it.

Now as I am approaching my thirties (yikes) keeping my skin looking great is a priority. My skin is often very dry and my pores are kinda big. I also have red splotchy spots if I don't cover them with make-up. So when I was given the opportunity to try the ageLOC™ Edition Galvanic Spa System II I was very excited.

Here is a little bit about the system:
The Difference. Demonstrated.
Boosts visible benefits of ageLOC Future Serum an average of 80% across multiple signs of aging
Delivers 5 times more ageLOC ingredients to your skin than the Galvanic Spa System II
Enhances the delivery of key ingredients for up to 24 hours after treatment

Benefits:
Rejuvenate your complexion for younger looking skin with ageLOC Galvanic Spa Facial Gels
Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with Tru Face Line Corrector
Smooth the appearance of cellulite for a firmer, more toned body with Galvanic Spa II Body Shaping
Gel
Revitalize your scalp for healthy, abundant looking hair with Nutriol Hair Fitness Treatment

Features:
NEW: Redesigned facial treatment head with larger surface area and comfortable contours
NEW: Optimized treatment settings pre-programmed for each product
NEW: Larger, brighter backlit LCD display
Patented self-adjusting galvanic currents
Interchangeable treatment heads for face, body, scalp and targeted treatment areas
Hand-held and portable

How it works:
Galvanic spa treatments operate on the simple principle that like charges repel and opposites attract.
The ageLOC Edition Galvanic Spa System II is an at-home use spa instrument that uses the same
principle to enhance delivery of charged ingredients to the skin
A two-step facial uses the ageLOC Galvanic Spa Facial Gels. Impurities that bind to the negatively
charged Pre-Treat Gel can be drawn from the skin during the positively charged Treatment cycle
Use the four interchangeable heads on the ageLOC Galvanic Spa for face, body, scalp and targeted
treatment areas
Select the optimized treatment setting that is pre-programmed with the correct polarity and time to
match the Galvanic Spa product you are using

Price and Availability:
Available from independent Nu Skin distributors or online at www.nuskin.com.
Introductory ageLOC Spa Package, including the new ageLOC Edition Galvanic Spa System II, facial gels and instructional DVD: US $375.

I have found the system to be very easy to use. I use it 3 times a week on my face and I feel so refreshed after. The gels make your face feel so clean. My husband even commented after my second use that my skin looked great. This is something that I would love to continue to use for many years to come. It doesn't take long at all and it doesn't make any noise except for the beeps, so you can even watch tv while you are using it.

Just Another Manic... Month?

I have to apologize for my absence lately. I've been posting some reviews, but I haven't been blabbering away on Facebook and Twitter or visiting my favorite blogs (sorry ladies! I will try and swing by sooooon). All of this is because of a "simple" kitchen make-over.

My husband and I decided that a whole new kitchen just wasn't in the stars for us. But we figured that a new floor and new counters would make a HUGE difference. So we started on this little adventure and everything was going swimmingly!

When we talked about our plans for the kitchen it sounded like we were living in two different houses. "I want white counters." "I want earth tones." But when we got to the floor store and the tile store we were on the exact same page and had everything picked out in one visit! Amazing!

We scheduled all the measurement visits and learned that our back splash tile would have to come down. "No problem," said the hubby. "They will just pop off." And off he went to pop tiles. Then I got the e-mail (while I was at work)....."the wall is crumbling." Yup, with the tile came all the sheet rock.

Now, under normal circumstances this would be a setback but manageable. But our counters were scheduled to be installed the next day. And the walls had to be fixed in order for the counters to go in. Luckily we have a friend who is a contractor and he fit us in immediately.

Phew, we were in the clear. Then this morning I get a call from the counter people that they have to push us back to tomorrow. Ummm... I have no counter. I did my dishes in the bathroom sink last night. I have a toddler! I can't live like this for a whole day!

So here we sit... waiting to see if our counters will arrive today or not. Oh, and did I mention that in the midst of all this work we had a gas leak? Oh yeah, it's been a good week.

Squaredy Cats Review

When I checked out the Squaredy Cats website I thought they looked adorable! So when I was given the opportunity to check them out in person I was excited.  This little one arrived on my doorstep. The is "not squared to sparkle," and as soon as I saw her I thought to myself  "they picked the perfect one to send to my daughter!"

Yes, "not squared to sparkle" is perfect for my little girly girl princess. But as I looked at the images they sent me I realized that there were so many she would love! I could easily see these becoming the hot new toy that ever kid wants... and wants several of! I love how you can find them to match your personality.

These Squaredy Cats are cool while being cute. I love the uniqueness of them. I mean, they're square cats. You won't find that many places. They are really well made, soft and cuddly. The day we opened our Squaredy Cat my daughter insisted on taking it to nap with her. It was love at first site.

You can check out the many styles on their website, blog, and facebook page!

Wordless Wednesday

Down with My Diet!

Ok, I'm not really giving up on the whole diet thing. I'm just taking a little... break. For a couple of days. Until I finish this....

This is the amazing dessert that my husband made for my birthday/Valentine's Day yesterday. It's a Reese's Peanut Butter Pie and it's to die for! I couldn't even finish my piece because it is so rich... yet so light and fluffy. It's just yummy!

Here's the recipe in case anyone else wants to fall off the wagon. Temporarily of course :)

Ingredients
1 package of cream cheese 
1 cup peanut butter 
12 ounces Cool Whip 
3/4 cup sugar 
1 graham cracker crust (we prefer the chocolate one)
10 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 
Directions
Combine the peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add Cool Whip until smooth. Pour half of mixture into crust. Top with 5 crumbled Reese's cups. Cover that with remaining mixture and crumble remaining Reese's Cups on top. Refrigerate overnight.

Vyssan Lull Clothing Review

I often tell people that I was meant to me the momma of a little girl. I used to LOVE dolls. Especially Barbie dolls. I would spend hours just dressing them up and giving them multiple outfit changes. So when I had my daughter I knew shopping would be a major hobby. So when I find someplace that offers quality, adorable clothes I get all giddy like a kid! Vyssan Lull is that places.

I was really excited when I learned that Vyssan Lull was going to send me one of their products for review. I had looked at their collections online and thought they were super cute and unique. But even more than how cute they were I loved that all their clothing is organic and eco-friendly. I want my daughter's clothing to be safe without having to sacrifice the cute factor!

Here is a little about the company:
VYSSAN LULL (vyyschan loull) is a pronunciation of a Swedish Lullaby. Just like the soothing song providing love and comfort, we want to nurture with what we believe is the best in Scandinavian children's wear. With beautiful colors, fun patterns and unisex design our products stand for personality, function and comfort. Our labels range from Scandinavia's most popular high-end brands to new and upcoming designers who all share our passion for organic, eco-friendly and ethically made products. 

Ok, so with all that being said let's get to the bottom line. The package arrived and what did I think?

You tell me! I mean, I know my daughter is adorable and would look cute in a paper bag. But really, could this be any more adorable! Look at how the tunic top flows. Look at the fun colors and great star pattern. And check it out from the back....

She looks cute coming or going! Some of the things I love the most about this are: 1) it's comfortable - she can wear this all day long and look dressed up while still being comfy and playing like a little girl should 2) it's a great material for multiple seasons - it's great for inside in the winter but will also be great in the spring 3) easy to wash 4) it's unique - you won't see this on every girl on the playground. Those are just a few of the reasons!

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to check out Vyssan Lull's clothing and I would definitely recommend that you check them out online.

Celebrating Love: Share, Remember, Cherish - Book Review and Giveaway

Very often when I think of Valentine's Day I think of flowers. And when I think of flowers I think of 1-800-flowers. I have received several of their bouquets over the years and have never been disappointed. They are truly gorgeous! You get the freshest, most beautiful flowers that arrive presented in a gorgeous manner so they are ready to brighten your home and your day.

So if there is anyone who knows about love it would have to be the founder of 1-800-flowers, Jim McCann. McCann has put together this beautiful collection of love stories that truly encompasses the many dementions of love. It's broken into the 4 seasons and also includes fun little facts about love.

The quotes, stories, and images in this book just remind you what love is all about. It's perfect for Valentine's Day! I am excited to curl up with my husband tonight and share some of these stories with him. The stories and quotes may have different meanings and elicit different memories from each couple reading it, but it all comes down to one thing... love is powerful.

This book is perfect for anyone. It touches on love in so many ways. Love between siblings, love between friends, love in a relationship. "Love is when there is only one ice pop left and your brother gives it to you." - Allison H.

This is one of my favorites.. and it can be found in this book... "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made." - Robert Browning.

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a copy of Celebrating Love: Share, Remember, Cherish!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me your favorite love quote or tell me who your Valentine is (I have 2 this year... by husband and my daughter!)

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Like 1-800-Flowers on Facebook

This giveaway is open to US only.
This giveaway ends on February 28, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Week 6 Weigh in

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day!! I love Valentine's Day....I'm a romantic at heart! But I also love Valentine's Day because it's my birthday! Yes, today I am one year closer to 30 and I have lots of work to do on my 30 before 30 list. But I will write more about that another time :)

So, this week wasn't too bad. I was making some decent choices with my eating. I was not snacking much between meals and I was drinking more water. But then the weekend hit. My sister was in town to celebrate my birthday, so on Saturday it started. My mom, my sister and I went out to lunch and did some shopping. I was good because I knew dinner would be rough. I was right. We had an amazing Italian dinner and then followed that up with ice cream cake.

I also had leftover ice cream cake the following day. And here we are... Valentine's Day. I am sure my day will be filled with chocolate and other yummy treats. Sometimes it's just really hard to have the will power not to eat junk. So today I will do my best to use moderation. But it is Valentine's Day and my birthday... so some treats are in order!

Time for this week's results!

Starting Weight: 177.2
Week 1: 174.8

Week 2: 175

Week 3: 173.4

Week 4: 175

Week 5: 174.4

Week 6: 174

Weekly Gain/Loss:-.4

Total Gain/Loss: -3.2

First Goal: 165 by March 31st

I wish the number was bigger... but it's going in the right direction. Can't complain about that. I hope you all enjoy your day! And be sure to let me know how you did this week!

Pixiekid Toys Review and Giveaway

Handmade, Eco-friendly felt play food and woodland creatures! Owls, hedgehogs, turtles, raccoons. Pixiekids Toys are handmade out of Eco-felt, which is felt manufactured from recycled plastic bottles! We believe that toys are more meaningful when they are handmade with love, and ecologically sound. Our mission is to inspire the imagination, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage language development through creative and dramatic play!

When I looked around Pixiekid Toys Etsy shop I was amazed by her products! They are really adorable. My daughter has just started to get into the whole play food and imaginary play thing. She makes my husband coffee every morning with her pretend coffee pot. But we didn't have any felt food, so I was really interested to see what it was like.

Pixiekid Toys very kindly sent me the Breakfast in Bed Set:

My new and improved Eco-felt breakfast in bed design includes a nice piping hot mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows, a scented cinnamon roll with frosting on a doily, a matching plate full of a fried egg, two stips of bacon, two strawberries and an orange slice! All of this comes on a sturdy wooden tray with handles. You can order this pink set with a blueberry muffin or a scented cinnamon roll. What a delightful way to wake up in the morning! This set is handmade from eco-felt, which is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles!

I was incredibly impressed with this set! The items are so well made and are obviously made with great care. I really had no idea what to expect and am just beyond thrilled. Each item is the perfect size for little imaginations. (I did have to take the strawberries away temporarily because they could fit in my daughter's mouth... but I put them in a safe place for when she is a little bit older - they have a baby safe set that comes with a banana instead of strawberries... they thought of everything!) The food is very realistic which I love. She sits at the table and pretends to eat breakfast. The listing says that the tray is sturdy and it is! Everything is so professionally done.

This set is so unique and provides something you can't buy in stores. Eco-friendly felt food that is unique, functional, and allows for children to really dive into imaginary play. Love it! I am excited to have her bring her daddy Breakfast in Bed on Valentine's Day!

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a $10 Gift Certificate to Pixiekid Toys!
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Pixiekid Toys and tell me your favorite item.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

6. Like Pixiekid Toys on Facebook

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on February 27, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes and Red Envelope Giveaways!!

Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes - #46 nikki wilson
Red Envelope -  #4 Life with the Lebedas

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Momma Panic

Does anyone have a favorite piece of jewelry? Something that means the world to them, most likely because it's from someone special? Well, I have 3 pieces of jewelry that I probably couldn't live without (well not really, but you know what I mean). My engagement ring, my wedding ring, and my mommy bracelet.

Obviously my engagement ring and my wedding ring are from my husband. We were very young when we got engaged (seniors in college) so they are nothing super fancy. But that makes them even more special. My husband had to work so hard to get me a gorgeous solitaire diamond that is me in every way. Simple yet sparkly! I wouldn't trade this ring for the world. There will be no "upgrades" for me. I will wear this ring on my finger forever. And my band is the same. No diamonds on it, just the never ending circle that symbolizes our love.

Now my mommy bracelet is a little different. My husband didn't buy it for me, or give it to me from y daughter. I actually received this as a review item from an amazing site called Belly Charms. She seriously has the cutest stuff for moms, grandmas, everybody. But anyway, she made me a gorgeous customized bracelet. It was me to a T. I picked the colors and chose to have it say Mommy.

The minute I received this I fell in love with it. It had so much meaning to me even though it wasn't from someone special. I wore it every day and showed it off as much as possible. Then one day I looked down and it was gone. I tore my house apart. I couldn't find it anywhere.

Then my husband got an idea. Sometimes I think he missed his calling as a detective. He started to look back at our photos and traced the bracelet to the last location I was wearing it and then the next location where it was first missing. Amazing. So it was decided that I had it on a Saturday at my parents house and it was gone on Sunday when we went out to breakfast (yeah, we pretty much take pictures wherever we are). So somewhere between Saturday night and Sunday morning it went missing.

I really feared the worst. It had snowed since that weekend and I knew if I lost anywhere outside (like the restaurant parking lot) it would be long gone. So I crossed my fingers and called the restaurant.  The girl on the phone said she hadn't seen it but she would check in the back office. My heart was sinking with every second she was gone. Even if I lost it there someone would have had to have seen it before it got swept up and returned it to the counter. Then she came back and uttered those magical words, "yes, it's here." I was one happy girl when I went to pick that bracelet up!

Family Dinner Ettiquite

Dinner ettiquite in my house had gone down hill. I remember as a child we would all sit at the table and eat as a family every night. We would ask to pass things by using the words please and thank you. We would chat about our day, but of course our mouths would not be full. And when we were finished eating we would ask if we could be excused.

As we got older that became less and less important as we rushed through meals to make practice, parties, do homework, study, whatever the next thing on the to-do-list was. But now that I have a family of my own I want to try and reinforce my dinner etiquette rules so that my children can have those wonderful family dinner memories that I had. And to prepare them for successful meals and dinner conversations in the future.

We have started this by sitting at the table. Not in the living room with plates perched on our knees. We sit down every night together. If someone needs to be somewhere we eat earlier or later. I make a point to ask about my husband’s day. My daughter doesn’t quite communicate how her day was… yet. And the tv must be off! We don't have a tv in the kitchen, but we can see the one in the living room. So we had gotten into a bad habit of watching tv while eating. No longer!

But here is our biggest struggle. Phones. Computer. iPad. They all seem to be present at our table. This is a major no no and totally distracts from the valuable family time and causes our conversations to come to a hault. So we have made it a rule, no electronic devices at dinner. No, we can’t check the Yankees score. Those e-mails will be there when you finish. Your crops won’t wither in Farmville in the next 15 minutes.

The no devices at dinner is right up there with please and thank you. There’s nothing ruder than sitting across from someone whose nose is in a phone, computer, or something else. Dinner etiquette is a time old tradition that has gone by the way side. Practice good etiquette as a model for your children. This way, when they have their families they will look back and remember what was important and what made a difference in their day. And hopefully it will inspire them to reinforce their own etiquette rules. Besides, could you imagine sending your child to eat at a friends and have them not say please or thank you? Or take out their phones! Yikes!


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Shaping the New You

There couldn't have been a better book to arrive on my doorstep than this new Chicken Soup for the Soul book.  As you all know, I am on a mission to stick to my New Years Resolution. I am on my way to a healthier lifestyle, which includes changing the way I eat and trying to exercise more. This has been such a hard road with ups and downs. One week I do great, the next I struggle. My bloggy buddies have been an amazing support system always offering those much needed words of encouragement. And now I have this book to help motivate me and keep me positive.

101 Encouraging Stories about Dieting and Fitness... and Finding What Works for You

No one likes to diet, but the personal stories in this book will encourage and inspire readers with its positive, practical, and purposeful tales of dieting and fitness. Readers will find hope, help, and hints on getting fit and staying healthy in these 101 stories from those who have been there, done that, and maintained it. Stories about wake-up calls and realizations, moving more and eating better, self-esteem and support, and lifestyle changes, big and small, will motivate any reader looking to start fresh or needing a boost. This is a great book for anyone embarking on a healthier lifestyle.

This is exactly what I need. I can quickly read a short inspirational story to help get me on track. Whether it's because I just don't feel like working out or I need a little inspiration to get past a major craving. I feel like I am turning to friends. These are real people telling real stories. 

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul Shaping the New You!
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me your favorite Chicken Soup for the Soul book OR tell me why you would like to win this one.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

6. Like Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook

7. Follow Chicken Soup for the Soul on Twitter

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on February 24, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the Robby Wash and Bea's Gift Baskets Giveaways!!

Robby Wash - #79 Victoria99
Bea's Gift Baskets -  #60 BethElderton

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!