Category: Reviews

Pregnancy & New Mom Favorites with BabbleBoxx

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com

Pregnancy & the first year with a baby are one of the sweetest things in life, but also one of the hardest, yet rewarding things as well.  A lot has changed since I had Connor 9 1/2 years ago!  I’m constantly discovering new products and saying to myself “Well they didn’t have this ten years ago!”  

I love being a Mom and the last seven weeks with our new baby Heidi have had many ups and many downs.  Connor started his first day of school today and we are finding our new routine.  The days of lazily laying in bed reading a book are over for now, but I know that this season doesn’t last forever.  I’ve been through it before and looking back it does go by so fast.  Of course in the midst of the sleepless nights and crying it seems to be super slow.

You all know how much I love BabbleBoxx and getting to try all the new products and share with YOU!  There are some fantastic things for expecting Moms & new Mamas. I was recently sent a BabbleBoxx to try out and use with Heidi.

This box included all of these great items:

Read More

Back to School with Box Tops for Education

This post is sponsored by General Mills and Nestle™, but all opinions are my own.

This summer has been flying by, and it has been a very busy summer indeed! School will be starting back before we know it…much to Connor’s dismay. Ha ha! He’s super excited to start the 4th grade though. We love our school and try to help out any way we can, which includes implementing the Box Top program in our home. What is the Box Tops for Education program? Well, by purchasing products our family uses every day, we also earn 10¢ per box top for our school to help get the things they need.

Box Tops for Education now has tons of eligible General Mills and Nestle™ products at Sam’s Club using the new digital app. Sam’s Club is offering an exclusive offer, Buy 1 qualifying product Get 12 Box Tops when you scan your receipt using the Box Tops app!

You may be familiar with the traditional Box Tops program where you had to clip and save like we did. You don’t have to do that anymore! The app will find automatically identify participating products purchased at Sam’s Club when you upload your receipt and instantly add cash to your school’s earnings online. Just look for the new Box Tops icon on several products your family uses every day too!

My Mom has been a teacher for over 30 years, and my sister and I grew up helping in the classroom all the time. Teachers spend so much of their own money funding things for their classrooms. So ten cents may not seem like a lot, but trust me when I say that it adds up and every cent helps out.

The Box Top program will stay the same, but the only difference is that instead of clipping, all Box Tops will be earned digitally via receipt scan.

All you have to do is download the new and improved, user-friendly Box Tops app, register and select a school, and then scan an eligible receipt containing Box Tops products. The app will automatically add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online, giving visibility to see how you are supporting your school in real-time.

Packaging with the new Box Tops branding (removing physical clips) to be on store shelves beginning in June. You also can ‘double dip’ during the packaging transition by clipping the physical Box Tops AND scanning your receipt with those participating General Mills and Nestle™ items.

So, you’ve got some time left this summer to do some digital clipping and head Sam’s Club for their exclusive offer, Buy 1 Get 12. And BONUS: As a Box Tops member you’ll get coupons, free samples, bonus Box Tops offers, and more details about your school earnings. Sam’s Club already has great every day deals, and I’m super excited about the new Box Top program because it will be super easy and you all know how I love a great deal!

Toyota Rav4 Adventure

Life throws you new adventures sometimes.  These adventures bring excitement, anticipation, and thrills.  For us, this meant a new baby girl arriving nine years after the birth of our son.  Over the last week, I had the opportunity to drive the brand new 2019 Toyota RAV 4 Adventure.  Let me tell you something — this vehicle is edgy, tough, and true pleasure to drive.  As an added bonus, it doesn’t skimp on safety and comes with plenty of features that made me feel comfortable driving our new baby angel home from the hospital.

(Last preggo pic before baby comes!)

Go on an adventure of your own by getting a 2019 RAV 4 Adventure.  Whether its sporting, camping, hiking, skiing, or simply driving through the city — make sure you protect your special cargo!

The Rav4 features tons of safety features:

The backup camera in the new RAV 4 is amazing.  Not only does it provide a straight view (blue line), but will also show where you are going based on how your wheels are turned (yellow line).  Whenever you get too close to an object, the backup sensors will beep to alert you.  Did I mention the cross traffic alert?!?  This model also alerts you of cross traffic while in reverse.  For example, when backing out of your driveway, or a parking spot at the store, it will beep and tell you the direction of the vehicle or person coming toward you — giving you that comfort and security to avoid a potential accident. We all know it’s easy to become distracted while driving and the lane departure system is a true a blessing.  Not only does it alert you when you start to accidentally cross into another lane, but it can gently guide you back into your lane (Safety Note: technology is never a replacement for being alert and attentive while driving).

The Adventure trim also comes in All Wheel Drive (AWD).  I’ve never driven an AWD vehicle and I have to say that it’s a big improvement — you can really feel the traction to the road.  It gives you an extra peace of mind on rainy days.

As part of the drive display, the RAV 4 Adventure trim will also read speed limit signs and will provide a visual indicator of the current speed limit.  When you start going a little too fast, it show an alert by giving a red border to the speed limit sign.

You can set the visual indicator to provide alerts at the interval you choose.

No one ever wants to be fumbling around at night trying to determine if your bright headlights are on or off.  With traffic, it also gets annoying flipping them on and off and on and off again.  Why not just use the automatic brights feature?!?

The 2019 RAV 4 Adventure also comes with Toyota Safety Connect.  It provides an additional level of safety and security by providing automatic collision notification, the ability to call roadside assistance, an SOS button that can be used to dispatch emergency services, and a stolen vehicle locator.

Okay, people.  One of my biggest annoyances in driving into the bright Texas sun and moving my head around and squinting to see the traffic in front of me.  This tiny feature is HUGE.  The sun visors have a nifty pull-out section to provide additional coverage — GENIUS!!!

Need to charge your phone?  No need to plug it in — just set it on this nifty pad for a charge.

The middle console has tons of room in addition to two 2.1A USB plugins.  These are powerful and will quickly recharge your devices.  We use these a lot when traveling to charge our kids tablets and handheld game systems.We all want to feel safe.  Just like a newborn girl in the arms of her great grandmother, Toyota delivers this comfort on the road.Precious cargo Dirt, Gravel, Construction Zones, Offroad Trails, City Streets — the new 2019 Toyota RAV 4 Adventure can conquer it all.

The Adventure trim has several drive modes:  Eco, Normal, and Sport.   With the push of a button, it can cater to your Adventure level of the day.  Feeling a little sporty, hit Sport Mode for a more aggressive feel.  Want to save gas, push the Eco mode.  With the Adventure model, you also have the added ability to fine tune the vehicle’s setting for various Adventure situations.  If you’re off-road on sandy or gravel surfaces, move the knob to Mud & Sand to provide some extra traction.  If you’re in the mountains or off-road, move the knob to Rock & Dirt to beef up the suspension and ride.  It also has a Snow and Downhill feature that assists the wheels and transmission in these situations.

The interior is full of compartment for easy storagePlenty of interior room!

Life is certainly an adventure…and I’m happy to say we enjoyed our great week of adventure in the RAV4!  We’re a little sleep deprived, but our hearts are full!  Here’s to the next great adventure raising this baby girl.  Heidi’s birth story coming soon 🙂

Prenatal Massage + A Deal for YOU with Massage Envy!

Hey all!  This pregnancy is hitting the home stretch, can I get an amen?  But–  the bigger I get the more aches and pains that seem to hit me.  Lately it’s been horrible sciatic nerve pain in my lower back.  I remember having this with Connor, but let’s face it….it’s been almost 10 years and this Mama has forgotten some things!

Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to try out Massage Envy’s prenatal massage service.  It was HEAVEN!  I know a lot of masseuses won’t do massage on pregnant women, so do some research and find out before hand if that location is certified in prenatal care.  A prenatal massage a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches (like sciatic nerve pain), stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling).

Massage for pregnant women also reduces stress on weight-bearing joints, encourages blood and lymph circulation, helps to relax nervous tension — which aids in better sleep — and can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes.  Let me tell you my hormones are CRAZY…or so I’ve been told by certain people. LOL!  I also have a hard time sleeping, but after my massage my muscles felt so much better and I was able to relax.Read More

Preparing for Baby with Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and NicePak, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #NicenCleanatHEB http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Getting ready for a new baby can be a bit stressful.  I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a lot of FUN, but there are so many little things that a tiny human needs.  It’s been nine years since I became a Mom the first time around and a lot has changed since I had Connor.  I’m super excited, but I’m also super nervous to have a newborn again almost ten years later.  It’s a lot of WORK!  I recently had the chance to try Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes, and let me just say they are great quality.  I’ve heard before that you should stock up each month while you are pregnant with diapers and wipes so by the time the baby gets here you’ll have a good stockpile.   I remember doing the same thing with Connor, so now I’m trying to do that with this baby. 

I just LOVE the smell of a newborn baby…am I right???  I don’t want anything bad going on that sensitive newborn skin.  Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes doesn’t have any of those nasty chemicals getting in the way!  Nice ‘N Clean Baby Wipes are made with TENCEL, a 100% plant based fiber, and gentle formulas, so they’re as gentle on the Earth as they are on sensitive skin. Formulated for any part of your baby’s skin. I still carry a package of wipes in my car everywhere because you never know when an unexpected mess will pop up.

H-E-B has a variety of Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes including wipes for Sensitive Skin & Green Tea Cucumber, various sizes available in stores now.  

  • Box of 6 Pack of Wipes for a total of 336/334 wipes (Great for stockpiling before the baby gets here!)
  • 3 Packs of Wipes for a total of 192 wipes (Makes a great shower gift!)
  • Individual packages of 64 wipes (For those quick diaper runs!)

I finally purchased my first outfit for baby girl and I promise we’ll share her name soon.  Isn’t it the cutest!  

Speaking of bums just look at that little ruffle bottom.  It’s going to be so much fun shopping for a little girl.

Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes are a soft and strong way to keep that baby bum soft and clean.  They are also a GREAT VALUE!!!  Something I’m always trying to find!  Head into your local H-E-B to purchase Nice ‘n CLEAN Baby Wipes & stay strong super Moms!

 

Here’s my latest “bump pic”. I’m now almost 22 weeks. Time is flying and going slowly at the same time, but we can’t wait to see you sweet girl!

Check out the new Sugar Cookie Little Bites + Enter to WIN!

This post is sponsored by Entenmann’s® Little Bites®.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christmas time is here y’all and what better way to celebrate than with the sugar cookie goodness of the NEW Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Sugar Cookie Muffins! These seasonal mini muffin feature the classic taste of a holiday sugar cookie, no oven required for you!  I’ve shared on here before how much Connor (and myself) love to snack on Little Bites.  They come in so many different flavors and taste delicious!

I pack them in Connor’s lunch all the time.  They’re also great for a road trip snack or a holiday school treat to share.  Little Bites are so easy to grab-and-go you’ll find yourself reaching for them all the time too!

I have to tell you that Connor said this new sugar cookie flavor is his favorite YET!  If you don’t have time to bake a batch of cookies, well ya’ll this is the next best thing!

This kiddo…I could eat him with a spoon….no not really…but I’ll happily feed him the sweetest treats this holiday season!  Head to your nearest grocery and check out the new Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Sugar Cookie Muffins- they are LIMITED so go get them NOW!!!

 

ENTER TO WIN!!!

(Contest valid for (3) $5.00 off the purchase of Entenmann’s® Little Bites®, and a $25 gift card)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry Christmas Baby + Win a $50 Gift Card!

Hey Y’all!  It’s shop small Saturday and I wanted to share one of my favorite boutiques with you and do a giveaway too!

I didn’t really do much Black Friday shopping in stores this year.  I stayed in my jammies and browsed online.  I also watched countless Hallmark Christmas movies….so you know it was FABULOUS!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving & now we can officially say “Merry Christmas” to everyone!

Our tree this year:

 

So, I have the hardest time finding gifts for family and friends.  Especially for those who have pretty much everything!  I’m going to link some of my favorite gift ideas below & I’d love it if you share some ideas with me too!  Also, don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift card to Picket Fence at the end of this post!

  1.  My sister had a baby a year ago and I’m so excited to purchase gifts for Ella this year.  She’s at such a fun age & this Christmas is going to be soooo much fun!  I also love being able to shop for a girl too.  This little double decker bus onesie is EVERYTHING!!!  I think you all know my love for all things British…ha ha!

2.  I love me some Packed Party.  Their confetti business card holders are one of my favorite gifts to give.

3.  For a good gag gift this “People of Walmart” coloring book is hilarious.  Pair it with some markers and wrap it up for some coloring fun.

4.  I think everyone needs a great light up mirror in their life.  This one is on sale right now & don’t you want to make sure you don’t have anything hanging out your nose or check your contouring in a 3X magnifying mirror…ha ha!

5.  One of my favorite bags is this Barrington tote, it now has a zipper on top.  It’s incredibly light weight too so it won’t weigh down your shoulder.  I highly recommend this bag for everyday use or travel.  It’s so cute and AMAZING!

ENTER TO WIN HERE!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway