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!