Cheryl's Valentines Day Hug Bug Gift! Giveaway

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and Cheryl's is the place to go for sweet treats.They have an amazing selection of cookies, brownies, and more that you can send directly to the door of your loved one. And this Valentine's Day they have a treat that is too sweet to miss!

You can send a Hug Bug Greeting to someone special for only $5! This delicious cookie also comes with a $5 reward card. Check out this sweet deal today!

You can learn more about Cheryl's and all their great products on their website and on the facebook page! 

And THREE lucky winners will receive a Hug Bug Gift!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition is Coming Soon!

City Grips Review and Giveaway

I first came across City Grips on twitter and when I read the little blurb about them in their profile I immediately headed over to their website to learn more. I sometimes feel like my stroller is another limb. I never leave home without it and I use it at almost every stop I make. Oh the places it has been.

It was these same experiences that prompted mompreneuer, Camie Gobtier, to take action. When Camie thought about the amount of sweat, dirt, and germs that were on the handle bar of her stroller she became hesitant to then handle her child. Imagine passing those germs to your child who them immediately puts their hands in their mouths.

As moms we take every step we can to protect our children. And now there is an easy and stylish way to help avoid the buildup and transfer of germs from our child's stroller. City Grips are handlebar grip covers that are easy to attach with the use of velcro. You quickly strap them on and start moving.  And the best part is that they are machine washable. So you can wash them as often as you would like and ease your mind of the worry about collecting germs and bacteria.

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring

So Pinterest has become my new obsession. I somehow get sucked into this place where time flies by and when I look up from my computer I have passed hours. And this recipe is one of the gems have discovered there:

News From The Nail Bar - Book Review

New From The Nail Bar

By Christy Powell

Rebecca Harris is a single mum trying to bring up her four year old daughter, while running a company of unreliable staff, nightmare builders, demanding customers, a disastrous love-life and an over bearing boss.News from The Nail Bar is a romantic comedy set in an office of a nail bar company in London. The book follows Rebecca's extremely rocky course as she navigates disaster after disaster leading up to a potentially catastrophic opening party.

This book is told through e-mails and it keeps you wanting to turn the page! I have recently been on a trend of reading heavy books with a lot of drama and trauma. I was certainly ready for something light and hysterical and this was it. 

What I love about this book is how relate-able it is. Rebecca is your best friend pouring her heart out about all the things that are going so wrong in her life. We can all relate to the chaos that ensues with being a mom and having a career. But her interactions with her coworkers make you laugh out loud! 

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good laugh. The author has a way of mesmerizing you with her crazy life. It made me appreciate how boring my own life is. 

Safe Driving in Winter Weather

Winter is upon us, though this year we have been pretty lucky in my neck of the woods. After being shocked with a snow storm in October we have remained unseasonably warm. But this past weekend we were brought back to reality with snow overnight that turned to an icy rain during the day. Ahh, winter.

I'm a very cautious driver, especially now that I am toting precious cargo (my two year old) pretty much every where I go. So I try to practice some safe driving tips while still being prepared in case something were to happen. So here are a few ideas for you to keep in mind as you move about this winter on slick or icy roads.

1. Stay Home - My number one tip is that if the weather is questionable and the roads are not great stay home if possible. I know this is sometimes easier said than done, but sometimes it's better to stay on the safe side.

2. Stopping Distance - If you do have to get out in the ice and snow always remember to leave a good amount of stopping distance. It's easy for your car to loose traction and slide forward when coming to a stop. So leave yourself some room.

3. Slow Down - I am often amazed when driving in bad weather with the number of people zipping along as if it were sunny and warm. Take it slow. Keep both hands on the wheel and be prepared to control your vehicle should the snow try and take over.

4. Cell Phone - I try to never leave home without my cell phone, but this is especially true in bad weather. You never know when you may find yourself stuck and needing to call for a ride.

5. Blanket - I keep a blanket in the trunk of my car. This was something my dad always did and he passed it on to me. It's cold in the winter and if you get stuck and you need to keep you and your kids warm for awhile it's a priceless item to have!

There are a lot of things you can do to help prepare yourself for safe travels. I hope some of my tips will make you feel a little better about going out, but the most important thing you can do is be aware of the road conditions. I can't emphasize it enough to just stay in if they are reporting bad conditions. You can also check out the Esurance blog for more tips and ideas for driving this winter.

I wish you all safe travels and a winter full of fun!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Wordless Wednesday

A Balancing Act

I have to apologize for being so quiet lately. I've been quiet on my own blog and quiet visiting my favorite blogs. I guess you could say I'm trapped in a balancing act.

When I started working again my daughter was 7 months old. I took the job because it was close to home, my mother in law could watch my daughter, and it was only two days a week. Well, my mother in law eventually found the ride down to us in the winter to be too much. So I put her in the daycare at my work. I didn't think it was a bad deal since she was in my building and I could peak on her at any time.

Target Deals

I know every Target is different. They carry different things and have different prices and sales. But with the deals I got today I would encourage all you mommies to hurry out to your local Target!

I found toddler girl dress shoes for between $2.88 and $3.88. I also got a pair of toddler snow boots for less than $6! And a bunch of the Disney themed clothing was on clearance. Hurry!

Wordless Wednesday

Toddler Tuesday

So I'm thinking of starting up a toddler Tuesday where I can brag or rant and rave about my darling toddler! And of course, ask my lovely readers for advice, since it take a village!

So I will start out with an introduction:
This is Little Miss

She is 31 months old and has been a very easy baby. A great sleeper, sweet girl. She's currently a pretty terrible eater. She prefers to graze rather than sit down for a meal. Vegetables are out of the question and need to be strategically snuck into her meals. Tantrums are rare, but when they occur I am sure most of you are hearing them. Yes, she is that loud.

So our adventures with Little Miss this month are potty training. She has been potty training for several weeks now. She is a champ at school! She skipped the pull up phase there and went straight to Dora underwear. She has only had 2 accidents in the last several weeks. But at home it is a completely different story. She has NO interest in the potty. We have a sticker chart where she can earn rewards and she still doesn't seem interested. Any tips?

Here's to Healthy Snacking!

The New Year is upon us and I don't know about you but I am looking forward to a new me! I've pretty much given up on diets. Depriving myself of things or eating the same thing day after day has never worked for me. I tried Weight Watchers a few years ago and was hugely successful! I lost 30 pounds in about 8 months and was able to keep it off until my daughter was born.

So since getting to meetings and weigh in's has taken on a new challenge with a toddler in tow, this year I am making changes. I am going to be much more conscious of what I am eating and when. I don't need to give up ice cream and cake, but having it once every few weeks should be enough. Making small changes can make a big difference! So here are some tips for making better choices in a New Year!

1. Stock your house - Throw out or donate the things you know you shouldn't be eating. I got rid of a whole basket full of candy that I don't need. Most of it wasn't even stuff I really liked but in a weak moment would eat for sure. I instead filled my cabinet and fridge with healthy options that I still enjoy. Fruit and yogurt in the fridge, pretzels and nuts in the closet. I always have veggies in the fridge and freezer and try to eat a bunch at dinner so I don't snack later in the evening.

2. Make a family effort - There's nothing worse than watching someone else eat cake when you are trying to lose weight. Make a decision as a family that you are all going to eat better. I feel like this is especially important to parents success when you have little ones. I always snack on what I make for my daughter, so I can start by making her healthier options. It's a win win for the whole family. You can also through in some fun family activities to help you get active without even noticing that you're exercising! Go for walks, play on the playground, play in the snow. Get moving but keep it fun and family focused.

3. Reward yourself - Like I said... don't give it up cold turkey! Make great choices for a full week and go out for one special treat. Then keep building on that until you can go longer without the treats.

4. Get creative - As I mentioned before, I get bored eating the same things. Get creative with snacks and look online for some healthy recipes. You would be amazed at what you can use to make yummy, healthy snacks!

And number 4 brings me to my recipe suggestion for you. Who knew pretzels were so versatile! There are a ton of recipes out there that allow you to take your salty, crunchy snack to new levels while still maintaining the healthy snack. I found this recipe in the fall from Martha Stewart and it was SO easy and very delicious!

Pretzel Crumbles:

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons crushed pretzels
• 3 apples, halved and cored

Directions

1. Blend butter and flour with brown sugar. Stir in pretzels. Scatter over apple halves. Bake at 375 degrees until apples are soft and topping is crisp, 35 to 40 minutes.

So don't give up snacking but make some healthy choices! Here's to a New Year and a new you!!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Cassandra's Angel - Book Review

Wow, the first thing I thought when I saw this book was how incredible the illustrations are. They are truly breathtaking and bring you into the story. The bright colors and attention to detail bring the characters to life! You can truly see their personalities through the art.

As the pictures brought me into the story the words opened up a familiar story. A story about me and probably about you. Cassandra is a little girl who just can't seem to make people happy. They keep telling her she is doing things wrong even when she doesn't quite understand why. From things as simple as her peers telling her that her hair is too brown and her eyes are too blue. They make her feel like she is doing something wrong when she has no control over those things.

Mega Bloks: Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit

I think blocks are a must have toy for kids. I love they encourage creativity and logic. They really get their brains going in a fun way. And now with all these fun kits kids have to learn to follow directions to create something awesome!

I was given the opportunity to check out the Mega Bloks Blok Squad Police Force Pursuit in person.  This set uses 391 pieces to build three patrol vehicles; an SUV, a patrol truck, and a police boat. It also comes with Police Officers for hours of creative fun!

Purex Crystals and Jockey - A Perfect Team Review and Giveaway

With the new year just getting started and I am looking forward to working on me! I still have several pounds to shed to get back to prebaby weight and I feel like this is my year to do it. So  I was really excited to get the opportunity to check out the 2012 Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra.

My biggest complaint with sports bras is usually how uncomfortable they are. I feel like in order for me to keep things in place while exercising I have o be squished into something that doesn't let me breath. So when I heard that this new bra has breathable mesh panels to keep you cool AND a soft bottom band to keep you comfortable I was really excited to try it.

Doodle Darlings Giveaway!

Great news... Doodle Darlings is now offering a giveaway! I posted a review of their organic onesies and adorable plushes last week. I am a huge fan and I am so excited that one of my readers will get the chance to check out these darling items too!

Doodle Darlings

If you are looking for the perfect baby gift, or just something adorable for your own little one, then you have to check out Doodle Darlings! These adorable little critters were created by a simple doodle. And now they have come to life in such a way that you and your little one can hug and love in adorable plushes!

There are four Doodle Darlings, Snap Dragon Dinosaur, Laurie the Lion, Bramble the Bunny, and Honey Suckle the Horse. Each one has a friendly and loving face that is sure to make your little one smile. They are small enough for your baby to hold and snuggle, yet big enough in personality for them to treasure for years to come.

These fun little characters are also featured on adorable 100% organic cotton onesies. They are available in sizes newborn to 18 months and are so incredibly soft! When I removed the onesie from the bag I just had to cuddle it. It's soft and durable, and the little character is printed front and center. A onesie paired with a cuddly friend would make an incredible gift! And I love that even after they outgrow the onesie they can still hold on to their darling Doodle Darling.

Doodle Darlings also has an app available for your iPhone and Android. Doodle Darling Ditties is four toddler games all rolled into one. With counting, drawing, mazes and more... your little one will have a ball with familiar faces.

And to make this even sweeter....10% of your product or app purchase will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. How great is that! I strongly recommend that you check out the Doodle Darlings today!

Time for a Hug - Book Review

By Phillis Gershator and Mim Green

Illustrated by David Walker

Wow, what a message to convey to your children. In this very special book Big Bunny makes sure that every hour Little Bunny gets a hug. No matter what they are doing there is always time for a hug. If only we would all follow this beautiful way of life in our own busy lives.

I loved reading this book with my little girl. I love to hug her as often as possible. I want her to know that I am never too busy for a hug and this was a wonderful way to share that message with her. The beautiful illustrations just brought the book to life. We were able to talk about all the things Little Bunny and Big Bunny did in a day and how during each activity they were still able to stop and hug. There is always time for a hug.

Time for a Hug is a perfect book to add to your child's collection. To add to how touching this book is, it is written by a mother and daughter. Their love for each other is shared through this book in such a way that all parents and children can relate to. "Whether they bake or build, bike or hike, a caring hug always feels right."

This book is published by Sterling Publishing and has a SRP of $9.95. The book is intended for ages 3-5, but with National Hug Day coming up on January 21st I'm sure you can find many people who you would like to know that you are never too busy to hug them!

My Favorite Moments from 2011

This past year has been filled with so much fun! Having a little one makes everything more enjoyable, but it also seems to make the time go so much faster. Here are some highlights from our year:

January: My little one started school and totally rocked at it! Not a tear shed until they told her it was nap time.

February: We got a brand new kitchen!

March: We kissed our (partially) Irish daughter on St. Patrick's day.

April: We had a successful Easter egg hunt!

May: My little one turned 2 and had a fabulous "Tea for Two" party.

June: My husband and I celebrated our 5th anniversary and we took our 3rd family vacation. My daughter also met her Great Grandparents for the 2nd time at our family reunion.

July: We went peach picking for the very first time.

August: We survived Hurricane Irene... but our tree didn't.

September: We had the 10th Anniversary of September 11th and visited the Memorial in NYC.

October: We watched our little girl walk down the aisle as a flower girl at her uncle's wedding. We also experienced the breathtaking beauty of Niagara Falls. Not to mention having a blizzard!

November: I realized how easy children transition and how hard it is for adults when my daughter moved from the toddler class to the preschool class. We also took our first trip to Chuck E Cheese.

December: We experienced our first Christmas with our little one understanding and believing in Santa... Magical!

Here's to hoping 2012 is a great year, too!

Purex Ultra Packs Review

Raise your hand if you're a busy mom who feels like the laundry basket is never empty? If you could see me you would see that I am raising both hands wildly as laundry seems to be my life. Not only is the basket never empty... it's almost always full. The never ending cycle!

Doing laundry is a part of life. Whether you live alone of in a house full. But Purex is constantly trying to make this chore easier and more effective. Their newest product, which will hit shelves this February, is the Purex Ultra Packs laundry detergent.

The Purex Ultra packs have made doing laundry a totally different experience. You can now eliminate the heavy bottles and measuring out that messy liquid that I always manage to spill while trying to pour. These Ultra Packs are pre-dosed liquid that comes in a dissolvable packet. This one powerful pack contains 2x concentrated liquid detergent, making it have double the cleaning power. Talk about easy!

I had the chance to try these out and I am sold. They were so easy to just grab a pack and toss it in the washer before I put my clothes in. My laundry came out fresh and clean! I was really amazed that such a small little pack of detergent could be so effective.

These packs will be available in Mountain Breeze and Free and Clear!

Bijoux Blitz! Day 8!

Today is the very last day of the fabulous Bijoux Blitz! Since December 26th Guy and Eva have been offering select pieces at up to 80% off! That's an incredible savings on beautiful pieces of jewelry. You still have time to snatch up this incredible deal. Head on over to www.guyandeva.com/shop to see the selection!

Bijoux Blitz! Day 7!

Happy New Year! Is anyone else going with the saying "a New Year a new me?" Whether you are planning to make big changes this year or little ones.. you can do it in style! Guy and Eva is on their 7th day of Bijoux Blitz. Head on over to www.guyandeva.com/shop to see the gorgeous pieces of jewelry that you can score at up to 80% off. I have a few pieces of their jewelry and they are stylish and built to last. You don't want to miss this opportunity as the sale ends January 2nd!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers!

Thank you so much for making Momma Drama so awesome in 2011. I could not have done it without each and every one of you! I will do my best to keep the reviews and giveaways going strong in 2012!

I hope you all have a wonderful year ahead. May it be filled with love, health, and happiness!

- Lara