Chicken Soup for the Soul

I have been a fan of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books for quite some time now. It's interesting to me how a short story can draw you in and make you feel like you are connecting with the person writing it. These books are so powerful in that way. They are filled with short stories written by real people about real life. Sometimes their stories make me laugh, sometimes cry, sometimes they just make me feel like I'm not alone. They really are like a nice warm bowl of chicken soup helping to heal your soul.

What I love about this collection is the wide range of themes. They have a book (or more than one book) for everyone. For sports lovers, for cat lovers, for teens, for moms, for golfers... everyone. You are bound to find at least one theme that really brings you in and helps you connect. And I was lucky enough to get to check out two of their more recent selections: Family Caregivers and The Magic of Mother's and Daughters.

Purex - Let's Be Honest

On April 30th Purex will be launching their Let's Be Honest campaign. Second City Comedian, Molly Erdman, will be featured during this campaign. You will be able to visit the Purex site from April 30th through mid July to  enjoy whimsical stories about real life. There will also be funny videos uploaded every few days for you to enjoy.

While you are having a blast watching videos and reading stories about every day whimsy, you can also enter their sweepstakes. Every day one lucky entrant will win a year's supply of Purex detergent! Couldn't we all use that prize?!?!

Wordless Wednesday

Dancing with Daddy

CelebrityMe Review

CelebrityMe is definitely my kind of game. A few years ago, before I had my daughter, you could often find me getting lost in virtual reality games for hours upon hours at a time. I love the virtual reality worlds where you can  pick your clothes, participate in missions, build relationships, and basically create a whole new life.

Since my daughter was born my time spent playing games on the computer has drastically dropped. Between finding the disk, sitting around for the loading time, and then the long wait times within the game... it just wasn't in the cards. So when I learned about CelebrityMe I was really excited.

CelebrityMe is played through facebook, so there's no disk and it starts up immediately. Here is a little about the game:

About the game: CelebrityMe is a game that lets you be the star, cast your friends in the supporting roles and live out your celebrity fantasies.  As you play the game, you will come across some fun partnerships we've set up including Titanic 3D, Taylor Guitars, and a live entertainment news feed.

Check out my character doing some shopping for a rock and roll outfit!

I have been having a blast exploring this new game. I began my journey at a premiere fro a movie that I, of course, starred in. After having my picture taken my the paparazzi I had to pick the perfect outfit for the event. My days and nights have been filled with shopping for the hottest clothes, visiting the best clubs, and socializing with the hippest people. 

This game interacts with your friends list on facebook, so the more friends you have playing the more interacting you can do. You can cast your friends in starring roles and share your "youtube highlights" right to your facebook page.

As you meet new people, go new places, and complete new tasks you are rewarded. It's a really fun game that you can play in short tid bots of time. I try to play for 20 minutes twice a day and it's a blast! I love how every time you play it's new and exciting. Be sure to follow CelebrityMe on twitter to keep up to date on the newest features. 

doTerra Essential Oils - Review

I'm going to admit that I didn't know much about essential oils. i had heard things about them helping to calm and relax you, but I never took the time to look into what they were and how they were used. Then I was introduced to doTerra and their wide selection of essential oils.

Upon receiving  a sample of one of their essential oils I decided it was time to look into it more closely. What I have learned has really surprised me. For example; did you know that almost all western medicine is derived from plant medicine? Essential Oils allow you to use natural ingredients to treat illnesses without the risk of becoming immune to them or becoming addicted to them.

I received a bottle of Wild Orange: citrus sinensis for review purposes. Here is a little bit about this particular essential oil. Wild orange essential oil is cold pressed from the peel of an orange. The wild orange is great for revitalizing and energizing. It is often used for uplifting mood as it has an amazing citrus aroma.
Common Uses: 

• Calm appetite - take with water
• Anxiety - Inhale
• Digestive problems - take with water

With this product I also received a little catalog full of interesting information about essential oils and their uses. In there I also found a recipe for a Wild Orange Vinaigrette that uses a drop or 2 of the Wild Orange essential oils. A great way to just add this great essential oil into your every day life.

I was really impressed with this essential oil. I really enjoy inhaling the scent when I am feeling anxious. By opening myself up to this opportunity I have now opened up a world of possibilities in terms of using all natural ingredients with my family.

Right now you could enter for a chance to win some essential oils and give them a try for yourself. Head on over to enter the Essential Oils Giveaway. Part of the grand prize in an entire outfit from Bohme Boutique. 

Wordless Wednesday!

Cate and Levi - People Puppets Review

Cate and Levi is a wonderful company! This is my second time working with them on a review of their products and I am still blown away by the quality of their products. This company is located in Canada and uses all natural and reclaimed materials to create their gorgeous one of a kind items. Each item is literally one of a kind with no two being exactly the same.

Cate and Levi offers a great variety of products for children from puppets to backpacks to to clothing and more.  For this review I got to check out their very awesome People Puppets.  I am a big fan of puppets because of the way they encourage children to use their imaginations. There are no buttons or noise makers, so kids can really run wild with their own imaginations.

My daughter is princess crazy right now, so we received the Princess puppet. It is 12" high and made of reclaimed wool. My daughter absolutely adores it and runs around with it on her hand making up stories about her princess. It's truly magical to watch her play with it.

The People Puppets come in a nice variety of people. There are perfect matched for boys and girls with a princess, a pirate, a fireman, and a nurse. These are high quality toys that will last for years and encourage wonderful imaginative play.

Unjunk Your Junk Food - Book Review

These days it seems like everyone is on diets. I myself jump on the wagon and quickly fall back off. I truly enjoy food and don't like to deprive myself of anything. That's why the book, Unjunk Your Junk Food, is such a fabulous book to have!

Unlike many other books about eating right, this book doesn't want you to necessarily cut things out. This book focuses on helping you make better choices. They take a closer look at what is actually going into the foods you are eating. You would be shocked to see how many harmful ingredients are being used in every day foods that you find in your own cabinets.

I read through this book and realized how many healthier options there are out there. You don't need to give up cheesecake, but you could look into a different brand that offers a healthier selection of ingredients. There's a chart in this book that breaks down "The Scary Seven," which are ingredients you should be looking for when buying a product. I used this chart and went through my own cabinet.

I was shocked to see how many foods include artificial colors and artificial flavors. But I think what surprised me the most was how many foods use artificial sweeteners. I had heard some things about Aspartame and how you should try and avoid it. Little did I know that the yogurt I eat every morning for breakfast is actually sweetened with Aspartame. Here I thought I was making a healthy choice but was in fact containing a major ingredient that is not good for me.

Reading this book has opened my eyes and taught me to look at labels. I can still enjoy my favorite foods by exploring other brands and paying attention to what ingredients are present. I am very interested in exploring a healthier way of eating. I am paying more attention to labels but the hardest part is finding the brands that offer better ingredients. I can't seem to find all that much at my regular food store, so I need to do some more exploring.

I would really encourage you to take a look at this book, examine what you are currently eating, and reflect on how you could potentially make some healthier choices while still eating the foods you love. Check out Naturally Savvy for more information.

You can purchase this book at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other online retailers.

*I received this book for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

The Clorox Lounge

What is the most frequently used room in your house? I know some of you moms who are eaten out of house and home are thinking kitchen. I would think our family room.... we LIVE in there. But actually, it's probably the bathroom. Everyone uses it several times a day. The Clorox Family of Toilet Products wants to celebrate our under appreciated bathrooms by inviting you to The Clorox Lounge. At The Clorox Lounge you can have a good laugh with the host, actress, comedian, and mom, Sherri Shepard. There you can enjoy funny stories, giveaways, coupons, and more. Plus, there is a great competition going on to be the Last Comic Sitting. Just visit the site and register. You could win lots of great prizes, including $10,000!

To kick it off I will share a funny story about a time when I was frugal with my daughter and it totally backfired. Hopefully this can bring a smile to your face today!

We all know that having kids is expensive. From the moment you find out you're pregnant you want to buy all the cutest clothes, the top of the line equipment, a room full of toys, and so much more. That phase lasted for a few months after my daughter was born. Then I started to realize that I was going to be paying for things for her for the next eighteen years.... at minimum! So I wanted to start cutting some corners.

Cutting corners can be really easy. Buy clothes in the next size when they go on clearance. Then you have them for next year. When you find something on clearance, buy it in every color. Try and coupon clip, I have saved hundreds just by using coupons. And my favorite is to shop at garage sales!

Rubbermaid: Hidden Recycler

Rubbermaid is always coming out with ways to make our lives easier. One of their newest products is the Hidden Recycler. This is basically a bag that attaches to the inside of a cabinet door by using screws or simply using over the door hooks.

Recycling is really big in our house. We are teaching our daughter from a young age what she should put in the garbage and what she should recycle. But I am totally guilty of letting the recycling stack up on the counter and take up precious counter space until my husband carries it all out to the garage.

So I was really excited when I learned that I was going to get the chance to check out the Hidden Recycler from Rubbermaid. I keep my garbage can under the sink on one side of the cabinet, so I hung the recycler on the door of the other cabinet under the sink. Now all I have to do is rinse my recycling, let it dry, and toss it right in the bin.

The Muppets: The Wocka Wocka Value Pack

I was totally bummed when The Muppets came out in theaters and my daughter was too young to go see it. I grew up with the Muppets, from the Muppet Show to Muppet Babies, and I just knew she would love it! we first introduced her to the Muppets when we were in Disney and they have the 3-D show. She fell in love with them right away, so when she saw this Wocka Wocka pack arrive in the mail she was very excited... and so was I!





In The Muppets we are introduced to a new character, Walter, and his brother, Fred. These two have one of those relationships that you hope your children will have with each other. They do everything together and are not only brothers but also best friends. But Walter is a little bit different then Fred. He doesn't really fit in. But then he sees the Muppets on tv and becomes an instant fan!

This movie takes you on the exciting, funny, and touching journey Walter finding his place in life. When his dream comes true of visiting the Muppet studios he learns that something terrible is going to happen to the studio. He sets out to find Kermit the Frog to let him know what terrible plans are coming together for the old Muppet Studios.

Walter, Fred, Fred's girlfriend, and Kermit set out to find the old gang and try to save the studio by putting on one last show. You get to see what each character is up to now that the gang is not together. The journey these guys take to get back to the studio and try to put on a show is full of laughs. It's also very heartfelt and you can feel how much they all mean to each other. I'll admit it.... I cried at certain points.



This really is a must-see movie. From the famous, lovable characters to the love triangle between Fred, Mary, and Walter, to the daunting feat these Muppets face of putting on a show in such a short amount of time. You will love it from beginning to end and be asking for more!

Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns Now on DVD!

Peter Pan is back––but his shadow is missing! When Peter loses his shadow while playing a game of Catch-Me-If-You-Can, he returns to Never Land to seek help from his kid pirate friend Jake. Embarking on one of his most daring and exciting adventures ever, Jake and his kid pirate pals, Izzy and Cubby, along with lookout parrot Skully, must use teamwork to find Peter’s shadow and return it to its rightful owner. However, their mission is nearly thwarted by the fiendish Captain Hook, and his bumbling first mate Mr. Smee. But bravery and justice win the day and Jake and his Never Land pirate crew once again reveal what it takes to become heroes, in Disney’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns.”

Kids can set sail with Jake on Disney DVD April 3. Packed with more value than ever before, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns” comes with over two hours of content on DVD and features Jake’s first digital copy.

My daughter is a huge fan of Jake and his friends. We have been watching this show for quite a while and were really excited to learn that there was going to be an episode where Peter Pan returns. After our recent trip to Disney World my daughter started to ask why Captain Hook was in the show but not Peter Pan. So now she know that Jake, Izzy, and Cubby are Peter's friends.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates is a great show for preschoolers. While Jake and his friends are always off on adventures, and often trying to outsmart Captain Hook, they engage with their audience. Whether they are following treasure maps, figuring out how to get somewhere before Captain Hook, or counting gold doubloons... the kids are involved and learning. This episode is especially fun with the exciting mission of finding Peter's shadow and working together.

This DVD is chock full of adventure with 6 episodes, including one that has never been seen before! There is also a bonus piece where Jake loses his shadows. Your children get to help him get it back while learning all about piratelore.

Easter Traditions

Does your family have any Easter Traditions? I remember when I was a kid that we would always have a big egg hunt at my grandma's house. I think that's the only thing that happened every year. Sometimes we would color eggs, but not every year. So I wanted to make sure we started out right with some traditions my little girl would never forget.

So every year we have visited the Easter Bunny and had an egg hunt on Easter morning. This year we added egg coloring since she is a little older. We had a blast!

Fresh Produce Review

I had never heard of Fresh Produce until I was contacted by the company. But I am so glad they reached out to me because their styles have my name all over them!

Fresh Produce creates clothing for women and children that is known for original prints, vibrant color and stylish, comfortable clothing. When I first started to browse their fabulous selection the immediate thought I had was, wow, I love the colors. I felt like I was shopping for an exciting vacation. The clothes had such life and personality. I found so many pieces that I just adored. From travel skirts to cardigans to dresses. They have it all to cover the casual and comfortable look I desire for my summer fashion.

After lots of browsing I decided that the piece I wanted to check out was the womens skort. They had some of the most vibrant colors for this skort with refreshing names. Seriously, who doesn't want to wear a color called cool breeze or tropical punch? If I could I would have gotten several colors, but the practical person in me said to get black because I will be able to wear it with everything. Plus I have a toddler so I find myself on the ground pretty much all day. So I went with black even though my fun loving self wanted something bright and cheerful.

I am thrilled with this skort! I don't have any skorts so this is a fabulous addition to my wardrobe. It allows me to dress up a casual look but still have the shorts underneath... for that whole toddler reason. And this skort is so comfortable. The fabric is light and it breaths. So it will be perfect for those hot summer days.

With summer creeping up on us I am so excited to now know about Fresh Produce. And they ship to over 200 countries, so women all over can take advantage of the colorful collection that offers comfort and style. Next I want to check out the Kids line with my daughter and see what she thinks. She is quite the fashionista.

HOP is Available on Blu-ray and DVD!

Easter is coming up quickly and my house is in full bunny mode! Having a toddler around the holidays makes everything more fun and exciting. So we do each holiday up big. So to get ready for Easter we are decorating eggs, baking and decorating cookies, reading stories about the Easter Bunny, and watching HOP.

Last night we made a party out of movie night and invited my daughter's best friends over. We received a really cool family screening kit for this event that was filled with HOP stickers, activity sheets, drumstick pencils, and an E.B. plush. I packaged a goody bag up for each kid, ordered some pizza, popped some popcorn, and popped in the movie.

From the makers of Despicable Me comes an all-new comedy about candy, chicks and rock ‘n’ roll! 

He was destined to be the Easter Bunny, but all he wanted to do was rock!  When teenager E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand) leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream to become a rock star drummer, he meets Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals.  Together the two encounter a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures and in the end help each other recognize the importance of family.

This was the perfect movie for family movie night because the kids and the parents all enjoyed it! E.B. is a fun loving, rock-and-roll teenage bunny who just can't seem to fit into the traditional mold his father has created for his son't future role as the Easter Bunny. E.B. decides to take control of his fate and escape his destiny by taking off to a world where he feels he fits in, the human world.... Hollywood. Along the way he befriends a jobless slacker, Fred, who really has no aspirations in life. While the two head off on adventures Fred begins to wonder if he could become the next Easter Bunny.

This movie is filled with great music, fun characters, silly jokes, and the Easter Spirit. The kids and the adults were rocking out with our pencil drumsticks, laughing out loud, and just having a great time.This movie would make a fabulous edition to your child's Easter Basket this year! 

Gourmet Gift Baskets Review and Giveaway

I have been a fan of Gourmet Gift Baskets for quite some time now. They have a basket for every occasion, for every person, for every interest and more. From the major holidays, like Christmas and Easter, to the every day birthday well wishes, get better baskets of cheer, or the simple gesture that you're thinking about someone... you can find a basket that will make the recipient smile. The baskets are filled with goodies and presented in such a way that you almost feel bad digging into them!

Well, I am very happy to tell you that in addition to their wonderful selection of baskets they also offer quite the variety of baked goods. I am a huge fan of everything sweet, so when given the opportunity ti sample the flavors of brownies that make up their Brownie Sampler I jumped right on board.

Within a matter of days a box arrived with six nice size brownies. And when I say nice size I mean that my husband, my daughter, and myself split one each night. They are pretty big! This sampler included one of each of the following flavors of brownies: Belgian Chocolate Chunk, White Chocolate Macadamia Blonde, Butterscotch Blonde, Cheesecake, Peanut Butter, and Walnut Fudge.

These brownies were very moist and incredibly delicious. They didn't last long in our house! I think my all time favorite from this selection was the Belgian Chocolate Chunk. It was just an explosion of chocolate from it's moist chocolatey center the the chocolate pieces on top. Yum! Each brownie was individually sealed for freshness.

I would highly recommend you check out Gourmet Gift Baskets for the wide selection of products, including their tasty baked goods!


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