Take a Load Off With Massage Envy #BecauseMoment #IC

This post was sponsored by Massage Envy as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. 

This season has been so busy.  I love, love, love taking family Christmas pictures and the feeling that the Christmas season brings.  I love helping families create lasting memories even more.  The only thing I don’t like is the toll it takes on my body.

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Carrying around a heavy DSLR camera and huge lens just about does me in.  After a long day of shooting my neck and shoulders are so sore.  It’s hard to put yourself first & it’s easy to just let your body suffer.  Terence and I decided mid last year that we would both start getting massages to help with our overall health.  Because something I love to do should’nt hurt.

Massage Envy is a great place to visit to take care of all your aches and pains.  I truly believe good massages help you live longer!  Everyone in the world takes on daily stress and it effects our bodies, no matter what we are doing.

Getting a massage isn’t just for a holiday or a special occasion, it should be a part of your overall wellness routine.  When I leave a massage I feel like a whole new woman and I can’t tell you how much better I feel.  It’s like my body has just released all it was holding on to and now I can breathe again.

I want to be the best person I can be.  I want to do what I love.  Getting massages regularly helps me do that.  I take care of myself so I can do the best I can for others.  I’m a better wife, mom, and overall person.

And THAT makes me happy! 🙂

So I can help create moments like this…

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Keep up with the latest Massage Envy deals and steals on Facebook & Twitter.

Check out this video below, I know I can relate.

Making the Most of Christmas with #Hallmark

This post is sponsored by Hallmark but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #ad

Christmas time is here * Happiness and cheer * Fun for all that children call * Their favorite time of the year*

I love everything that comes with the Christmas season.  Gathering with family and friends, a visit with Santa, shopping for gifts, and Christmas cards in the mail.  One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays is Hallmark.  They have the cutest gifts and the best stocking stuffers.  From candles, soaps, fluffy socks, stuffed animals, and candy galore….they have it all!

Have you checked out all the Star Wars stuff Hallmark has lately?  Let me just say we have a certain 5-year-old who is counting down the days until the Star Wars movie premier.  It’s everything Star Wars for this kiddo this Christmas.

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Cute little Christmas Yoda, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper.  The Star Wars wrapping paper is also available at Hallmark stores.

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If you searching for a gift for a co-worker or friend the Crafters & Co. gifts at Hallmark are perfect!  Everything from chocolates, artisan-made hand soaps, tea, and candles.  Just a little something extra to show someone you care.

Being a photographer I’m always looking for fun photo backdrops. One of my favorite things to do (and easiest) is to take wrapping paper and hang it behind my subject in a picture.   Nothing fancy…it just makes for a really cute photo!

I got this candy cane wrapping paper at Hallmark, I love their wrapping paper by the way because it’s not the thin, flimsy paper.  It holds up well to folding and taping 🙂

My photo backdrop:

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My handsome subject:

(The reindeer hat and mittens are also a Hallmark find!  Soooo cute and only $9.99 for the set)

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I hope you all have fun shopping, decorating, and gathering this Christmas!

Check out our video below for a sneak peek of all the fun holiday goodies at Hallmark this year.

Chocolate is My Love Language: Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe #SayMore #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you know me well or have been around me a decent amout of time you know my absolute LOVE for all things chocolate!  I recently tried the Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe chocolates and oh my gosh y’all!  Soooo good!  These KISSES are filled with whole roasted hazelnut, creamy layers and delicate crisps.

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Christmas is all about sharing love and spreading cheer.  What better way to say you care about someone than a box full of chocolates???

When I was growing up we would go to church on Sundays and my Dad would ask all the ladies if they wanted a “kiss“.  Of course they would smile and laugh at him…then sort of look at him like he was crazy!  Ha ha!  My Dad would smile back and place a Hershey’s KISS in their hand.  It tickled them and it made their day.  The looks on their faces was priceless when they realized it was a chocolate he was handing them 🙂

My Daddy is awesome like that.  He always thinks of everyone before himself.

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I look forward to the holiday season because of the feeling in the air and everyone just seems to be a little bit nicer.  People give more, do more, and say more.  These KISSES are twice the size of an original KISSES Chocolate.  More to love!  Ha ha!

I’m going to give someone a KISS this holiday….are you?

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Look at the hazelnut center.  I can’t wait to make someone’s day and make them feel special.

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Enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35

Contest opens on November 6, 2015 and closes December 14, 2015

Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Keep up with Hershey’s Kisses on Facebook & Twitter

This video touched my heart.  As Mom’s so many things we do go unnoticed and it’s so sweet what her kids did.  Melt my heart….literally.

How will you make someone’s day this holiday?

 

Klondike Fall Treats #KlondikeVariety #IC

This post was sponsored by Klondike as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

It’s fall and football season is officially in session.  We are big TCU fans in our house.  Every weekend our Saturdays seems to revolve around the big game.  It’s so much more fun to have people over and watch sports than watching alone right?  Gathering, talking, and eating our favorite snacks and sweets.  One of my favorite treats to serve guests in Klondike bars.  Each sweet snack is individually wrapped and easy to share and serve!

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Let me introduce you to my little friends : The Klondike Bars.  Klondike has 12 varieties of yummy chocolate covered bars and candy filled treats!   My absolute favorite is the new Cookie Dough Swirl!  It’s just like the classic Klondike bar, but with layers of cookie dough mixed in…YUM.  Not to mention there are 2 extra snacks in the package 🙂

The OREO is one of my favorites too.  Mixing OREOS with ice cream???  Yes please.

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Look at my future little football player…isn’t he precious!

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Connor’s favorite is the Klondike Mrs. Fields sandwiches.  Chocolate chip cookies sandwiches with vanilla ice cream.  That’s a happy kiddo!  He’s growing up way to fast I tell ya.  I can’t stand it….soon we’ll be watching him in the stands (maybe if that’s what he’s into).  Of course by then I might need 3 boxes of these because boys eat a TON!               

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Also, the Klondike Kandy bars are AMAZING ya’ll!  If you haven’t tried these you are missing out.  The Cookies & Cream bars are sooooo good!  I’m in a mint mood with Christmas coming up, so the Mint Fudge Cookie bars sound so good right now.

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What are your favorite treats to serve during the season?  

Sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and relax this time of year and not have to worry about cooking…especially “what’s for dessert?”.  I guarantee your guests will enjoy a Klondike treat just as much, and you’ll get to spend more time with your friends and family too!

Now that’s what I call a WIN=WIN.

For more information about Klondike visit Klondike on Facebook and on Twitter 

Free Haircuts for Veterans Day with @GreatClips #sp

Veteran’s Day is Wednesday, November 11th this year.  It’s right around the corner.  I know that right after today….the holidays begin and our minds are on constant Thanksgiving/Christmas mode.  It’s easy to forget about Veterans day and it’s something I believe in my heart we need to be sure and acknowledge.

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This Veterans day Great Clips is running a promotion honoring our Veterans.  Go get your haircut at any U.S. Great Clips salon on November 11th and share a free haircut card with a veteran you care about.  Veterans you get a free haircut too!  Whether it’s a spouse, parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or co-worker.  It’s just a simple way to show the ones who’ve served around us that you care!

I’ll be honoring my Dad and my husband this holiday.  My Dad served 11 years in the Army and my husband almost 6 years in the Air Force.

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I’m eternally grateful for all our soldier’s sacrifices, including the ones I know and love.

How do you support your Veteran friends and family?  Don’t forget to show them how much you care, even if it’s just a HUG 🙂

Locate your nearest Great Clips location HERE.

 

Weight Watchers Red Velvet Cake Balls #SmarterTreats #CollectiveBias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SmarterTreats  #CollectiveBias

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It’s almost time for the holidays!  It’s only a couple months away and my favorite time of year is kicking off.  Yay!  The food this time of year is also something I wait all year for.  From sweets to savory treats…I love them all!  My favorite meal is dessert and this year I vow not to eat my weight in food.  Fear not… Weight Watchers is here to help you!

One of my favorite treats during the holidays is red velvet cake balls.  I usually make them around this time of year to take to parties or work functions.  I went to my local Walmart and picked up a couple of boxes of the Red Velvet Creme Cakes in the snack cake isle.

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Red Velvet (Weight Watchers version) of Red Velvet Cake Balls:

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All you need are two boxes of the Red Velvet Creme Cakes and some chocolate dipping sauce.  That’s it!  No need to bake the cake (NO BAKING!!!) or adding icing like you normally would.  Save time and feel healthier at the same time 🙂

The Red Velvet Creme Cakes already have the cream inside to give your cake mix moisture.

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Peel off the wrappers and put in a bowl

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Mix together until you get a big ball of red velvet goodness

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Roll your balls into the size desired.  I got around 16 cake balls from two boxes.

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Put in refrigerator for around 30 minutes until firm

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Dip in chocolate and top with your favorite sprinkles!

Each cake ball is around 11-12 Weight Watchers points.

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Easy as cake 🙂 Literally

You could also make chocolate cake balls with the Weight Watchers Chocolate Creme Cakes.

So, there you have it.  My favorite holiday treat- a lighter version that is!

Be sure to check out more delicious Weight Watchers recipes HERE and share your favorite too.  There will also be live demos showcasing some great Weight Watchers recipes at a local Walmart near you from 10/29-11/1.  Click HERE to find where the nearest location is to you.

I Can See Clearly Now…Check that BOX! + Enter to WIN a Pair of Designer Sunglasses! #VSP #sponsored

This post is sponsored content created for VSP. All opinions are my own.
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I’ve worn glasses or contacts forever it seems.  I can’t see a thing unless it’s standing right in front of my face.  I remember when I got my first pair of glasses in the 6th grade and it was life changing.  For a child who can’t see well at school it affects so much.  How they learn and absorb everything!  When I was in high school my mom finally let me switch to contacts and I thought I was “hot stuff” because I got rid of those pink plastic frames.

Taking care of your eyes and getting checkups is SOOOOO important y’all!  You only get one set of eyeballs and I’m going to take care of mine.  VSP is on a mission to help you take care of your pretty eyes.  It’s open enrollment season and I know…I know…you have to make all these choices during open enrollment that effect your entire year!  Who knows what could happen over the course of a year right?

VSP is the nation’s only not-for-profit vision care company. Their highest priority is to advocate for regular, professional vision care for everyone. If you have the option to CHECK THAT BOX for vision care you should do it!

Here are a few reasons why it’s so important:

  • Eye health is part of taking care of your total health. Annual eye exams can help detect signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more.
  • Don’t let “easy” become “easy to dismiss.”  Vision care is frequently the easiest, quickest, and least expensive benefit option to review and select. If you have the option, consider taking it.
  • When VSP is an option, it’s your best Compared to other vision care options, VSP will save you money, keep your eyes healthy, protect your family’s vision, and help you look great.

 

Visit SeeMuchMore.com to learn more about eye health and how to evaluate your vision benefit options.

As a person who has VSP insurance personally I can tell you I highly recommend it and it’s fairly inexpensive.  Checking the box for vision care is less than a couple lattes each month.  I feel safer knowing if anything ever happens to my vision I’m taken care of.  I also get my glasses and contacts covered as well as eye exams every year.  To me it’s worth the little bit of extra cost each month to feel secure.

So, when it comes time for Open Enrollment this year, while you’re checking the box for medical and dental…don’t forget about your baby blues, your chocolate browns, or gorgeous green eyes. They deserve just as much attention as the rest of your body.

Also, ladies, I know when it comes to making decisions, we can tend to procrastinate a bit and sometimes even forget all together!  It’s okay to call your husband and ask what he recommends as well.  In fact he’ll probably like that you value his opinion.

VSP recently asked people to take a poll on open enrollment.  The end result was that most people dread it so much they would rather do most things than answer Open Enrollment questions except for one thing- cleaning a teenager’s bathroom! Ew.

When asked to compare their independent insurance decisions (like auto and home) to Open Enrollment insurance decisions, respondents were more likely to say they’re “more confident” and “more knowledgeable” about their independent decisions than their Open Enrollment decisions.  What are your thoughts on Open Enrollment?  Do you stress about it, or are you happy to have the option to have it?

To review the full poll findings, click here.

I personally am a “get things done” kind of person.  When I get that email saying it’s time for Open Enrollment I like to get started.  This way I’m done and I don’t have to think about it anymore.  Whew!

So, check that box for vision care, okay???  Don’t forget…I’m watching you

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