Showing posts with label sponsored. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sponsored. Show all posts

October 1, 2018

My Secret to Super Clean Floors (even with a toddler in my house)!

This post is sponsored by Bona® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.


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Being a parent is tough stuff. I've said it a million times, but I'll say it again, and if I'm being totally honest, I find myself saying this more and more as the days go on. It was tough when she was a newborn because she couldn't tell us what she needed, now it's tough because she always needs something and she throws a fit if she doesn't get it. She tests boundaries daily and she's so smart she almost challenges me in some ways... but I wouldn't trade this for the world.

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She is my everything and while our days are busy, I want her to know she means more to me than anything in the world. So instead of slaving away 24/7 on my businesses, I'm really trying to make an effort to show her how much she matters - not just to tell her.


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It's interesting because on one hand, I want her to see me for the #girlboss I am. I want her to know that her mama WORKS HARD to provide what she has. I hope she does reflect back on her childhood and remembers me working, from home, and says "wow, my mom really made things happen". But on the other hand, I don't want her to have memories of me always choosing work over time with her. I don't want her to think my work is the most important part of my life or think that she was second or third to my businesses.

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So I've been trying to make a real effort to step away from my desk and to play. Instead of just sititng and playing blocks though, I've been trying to include in her in things we need to get done... but we try and make it fun. From taking out the trash to weeding the garden bed, we spend time together - she's learning, I'm tending to chores that need to be done, and we both have fun doing it. I mean, she loves to help me clean - who am I to say no?

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One of the ways I've found that we both LOVE to spend time together recently is actually pretty amazing too. We literally grab our Bona Microfiber Mop & Bona Spray Mop, hit play on some groovy tunes, and go to town on our house almost daily. Swirling in the room, dancing around to some of our favorite songs, and loving every second of beautifying our house.

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The real question here is, how do you mop without tunes and a toddler helping? I can't imagine getting this done without her help now. Nor can I imagine ever mopping with any other type of mop again - Bona is where the magic is.

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The unique Bona formula makes it easy to remove dust, grime, and dirt without damaging hard wood floors. So say goodbye to wonky old ways of cleaning your floors and hello to this family-friendly GREENGUARD GOLD certified goodness! Interested in adding a Bona Mop to your family dynamic? Click here to learn more!

January 17, 2018

3 Ways For "Night Owls" to Try & Brighten Each Morning!




Mornings aren't my favorite, I'll tell ya that much.

I mean, I love waking up and seeing my family, being greeted by the sun, and so on... but I'm a just not a morning person. I've always been one of those people that skip breakfast to get more sleep... but THIS year I'm doing my best to turn things around.

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Wondering how I'm trying to transform from a night owl to a morning person?

Here's how - each morning I take the time to...

1. Stretch & Meditate - Each morning as I step out of bed, I take the time to make my physical self feel better. I do a few brief yoga stretches as I focus on what's to come and think positive thoughts, then I pop my back, and greet my little sweetie as she joins me to stretch and touch the sky and we carry on with our day.

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2. Cleanse - I'll be honest and admit I don't wash my hair everyday, but I make sure to freshen up each and every morning. There's just something so refreshing about cleaning your face and getting all fresh and clean.

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3. Eat - Instead of skipping breakfast as I used to, I now get to sleep in AND enjoy a meal with Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles®.

The best part about these protein filled little bowls of goodness? I can grab them on my weekly trip to Walmart and they take just two minutes to whip up!

That means I'm able to eat as I'm running out the door, feeling refreshed and balanced thanks to my new morning routine.

Do you have a routine that gets your mornings started out on the right foot? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

January 15, 2018

Help Your Dog Lead a Better Life in 2018


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2017 was a crazy year for us and our dogs... We said goodbye to our sweet poodle love unexpectedly and then later in the year our little mix, Miley, had to have surgery. So, let's just say we hope for a better year this year for our canine companion.

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With that said, we're not just hoping for a better year for Miley, we all want to have a better year... so we're all doing things to achieve that. From taking more time for things we love, to filling our bodies with the nurtients we need - we all are ringing in the new year the right way with a new, improved routine.

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And by all, I truly mean all of us... even this crazy, cute little love bug mutt! She's already on top of her game and doing great the past few weeks, so I can't imagine how she'll feel once this new lifestyle is truly just routine to her!

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Are you wondering how your dog can lead a better, more fulfilling life in 2018... well, here ya go:

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1. Start with the vitamins - I'll be honest, until this year Miley had never taken a vitamin. I honestly had never thought to give her one. But after our scare with her last year, it was a must that we do everything we can to ensure health... including supplying her body with nutrients it needs. Thank goodness for Milk-Bone Good Morning Daily vitamins, now we know she's getting what she needs and she loves it because it tastes like a treat!

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2. Don't forget those pearly whites - I've heard other dog owners talk about doggy breath issues, but luckily Miley doesn't have that problem... maybe it's because we've always been big on providing her with teething items like bones. I will say, as she's gotten older, you can definitely see her age in her teeth - but that's just how aging works. So when I heard about Milk-Bone Brushing Chews Dental Treats, I knew this would be the perfect way to ensure that her teeth remain healthy and fresh!

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Delainey is a total animal lover and although she's a tiny tot, she already knows how important it is to keep her dog (and ALL dogs) healthy! So when we run into Target, which we do often, she's always sure to point out her friend Bullseye and remind mama to grab Miley's treats, each and every time! And... well, I think she's a pretty big fan of getting to hang out with a big, happy pup after doing a little shopping!

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3. These paws are made for walkin' - Speaking of hanging out with dogs... getting fresh air and staying active and healthy is probably the whole family's favorite part of our new routine in the new year. Miley LOVES getting to go explore the neighborhood on walks and roaming around our backyard and I'm pretty sure Delainey enjoys it just as much. They both will just stand in the yard and bask in the sunlight... and well, it's pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

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4. Keep things safe - Another thing I'm really trying to emphasize in the new year is Miley's cage being used as her safety haven. It's always been one of her favorite spots to nap so when Delainey came into the picture, I knew it would be a good place for her to seek shelter from the storm of having a toddler running around and I was totally right, she loves hiding out and getting some shut eye in there while Lainey is running around reeking havoc. With that said, I'm teaching Lainey that Miley's cage is ONLY for Miley and allowing Miley a truly safe space away from poking toddler hands and grabby little digits. LOL. I think she appreciates it; after all... she is the age of a grandmother in dog years, so I think she needs to rest a little more than her toddler sister.

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With that said, I better go corral my troops and get them ready for a little bit of outside time - I think we all could use some fresh air. So, tell me, what will you do to ensure your family and your dog have a better year this year? If you're thinking about incorporating Milk-Bone Daily Vitamins or Brushing Chews into your routine, you'll definitely want to check out this Cartwheel offer for 10% off!
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January 6, 2018

The Winning Game Plan for Game Day - 3 Easy & Delicious Dishes!


This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

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In our house, Game Day is a BIG DEAL. We get pretty into it.

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I mean, let's get real, though...  it's only partially because of the game. I'm not even joking when I tell you, we're all about the snack-y goodness in our house and game days just give us the chance to share & enjoy our favorite dishes with our family and friends!

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Speaking of which, we had a busy day watching the game, playing around, and snacking with our buddies recently. From playing football with my favorite little gal to quickly throwing together some of our foodie MVPs, the day was perfect.

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Interested in our "game plan" and the snacks we served up... here's the low down:

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We had delicious little Buffalo Wyng & ranch sliders, tasty Hillshire Farm®  Salami & mozzarella antipasticks, & sweet n' savory bacon-wrapped Lit'l Weenies! Each super simple to make and so amazing your friends will be begging for your recipe... so don't forgot to pin this tasty goodness and tell them to as well!

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As far as the recipes go, I've made this easy... below you'll find a photo for each recipe, with the ingredients listed - just below each photo I've included simple step by step directions to make each dish!



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To make these delicious Tyson Boneless Buffalo Wing & Ranch Sliders, you'll simply follow the directions on the Any'tizers packaging, drizzle a little bit of ranch across the bottom of a slider bun, place 2 pieces of the cooked chicken wyngz and top with some Mozzarella, place the top of the bun... and enjoy!


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This simple treat is the perfect mixture of savory and sweet! You can whip this up quickly and let these yummy treats bake while you work on something else for a second. All you need to do is preheat the oven to 400 degrees, cut your bacon into thirds, and wrap the bacon around weenies. Secure with a tooth pick and drizzles Brown Sugar across it all, to add the perfect sweet little touch.

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Another recipe that is bound to be your MVP is this Antipastick deliciousness. To make these sticks of goodness, you'll simply chop your grapeseed tomatoes in half and place a toothpick in them. Next you'll top with folded pieces of Hillshire Farms Hard Salami, a tiny chunk of avocado, and a little mozzarella ball.

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Now it's time to enjoy!

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Are you planning your own game day extravaganza? Don't fret, you can get all the goodies for these recipes at Walmart! Oh, and before I forget, be sure to click here to find out how you can buy, collect, and score with the Walmart Winning Lineup Rewards Program... because who doesn't want to score on game day?!

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January 4, 2018

Our Bedtime Routine at 16 Months Old

This post is sponsored by Gerber, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

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Did you see us? We're what I call "officially official"! While I'm super shy and awkward in front of a video camera, we did it...  my cute little chunk and I made our debut on Facebook LIVE and if you caught it, you'll know one of the few tips I'm going to share today already!

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With that said, today I'm dishing out all the details on how we get Delainey into sleep mode each night. As I mentioned in our live, she sadly isn't a through-the-night sleeper yet... But we've mastered the technique of getting her to sleep so I thought I'd share for other mamas that are going crazy trying to get their tiny tots to sleep.

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We'll start with the bit I mentioned in our video, socks! We want to always provide comfort so we choose Gerber socks, since they are the softest... and of course, the coordinating Gerber PJ sets, mittens, towels, etc. from Walmart are also super soft and among our favorites.

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We choose Gerber because it's a brand we can trust and I mean, how cute does she look in this?

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The next thing we do is a bath! My former bath-hater suddenly did a 180 and now pleads to take a bath all day long. Post dinner seems to be the best time for us and it just so happens it's become part of her night time routine now. I love getting to watch her splash and enjoy the water... and it probably comes as no surprise that both her washcloth and her towel are from the Gerber Childrenswear line we adore so much.

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Speaking of adoration, my favorite part of our night time routine is getting some cuddles in - We always sit down and read books before we officially say night night and we both love this time..

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Find the right bed - While we planned for Delainey to sleep in her crib every night... it just doesn't always happen. She loves her Dockatot though. It's been a real life saver and actually has helped us all sleep better. I know she's safe and she feels safe... it's a total must-have for us!

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Lastly, make some noise! Well, I mean, don't start banging pots and pans, but don't walk on tippy toe all the time either. You'll want your baby to be able to sleep through some things. We use a sound machine with a beach sound to soothe her and it's truly been with us every night of her life. It's a must in my book.

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Now, tell me, if you have a through the night sleeper or a little early riser like D, what's your bedtime routine look like?


I'm the type of mom that...



When I became a mom I had NO idea what kind of parent I would really be. I mean, I had ideas of the type of guidance I'd provide. I knew what kind of parent I thought I would be, but the reality of parenting is different...

Maybe I should lead with... it's not like I'm a bad parent, but I always thought I'd be a better parent than I am. What do I mean by that?

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Well, I had envisioned being the type of mom that was "on top of everything". You know, the one that keeps a super tidy home, sends her toddler to montessori school, is part of every mom group, and always looks put together.

But... the reality is, that just isn't me. Luckily, Delainey loves me anyways.

With that said, over the past 16 months, I think I've found my "groove" as a mom.

I've found out I'm the type of mom that let's my kiddo have an extra bite of my ice cream when daddy isn't looking.

You know the one that she brings a stack of books to... and I read each and every one. That mom that smiles and plays dress up and loves each and every second of it. The one that hugs her, secretly takes a whiff of her sweet little hair, and smirks in delight because this angel is mine.

That's the mom I am... and well, I'm okay with that.

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While I may not be on top of everything in life, I have been on top of fighting colds in our house this season with Kleenex. We actually started out the season with a gnarly cold and I wasn't going to make that mistake again. So I make sure to battle the sickness each time we hit up Walmart.

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I'm not being exaggerative when I say we battle a cold with Kleenex. It's proven - the active ingredients in the middle layer disrupt the viruses’ protective coating and kill 99.9% of cold and flu viruses in the tissue within 15 minutes!
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Speaking of things you can do with 15 minutes, we've also been spending time each day with Delainey going over our ABC's and practicing "where are your... eyes, lips, ears, etc." only about a thousand times a day per her request.

She pretty much learns a new word a day and lately we're trying to get her to say "please" and "thank you", but she's a stubborn little thing.

And, well, while I'm not the type of mom that wins awards for being organized, I'm a pretty dang good mom most days and I think my little nugget of love would agree.

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So tell me, what type of parent are you? If you're also the type to stock up on essentials and fight colds before they come back - don't forget you can also shop Walmart online for all your Kleenex and other cold-fighting goodies!

December 16, 2017

Four Ways to Prepare to Be a Caregiver



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Here's the thing, sometimes life gives you unexpected curve balls... I know I've seen it happen too many times in my life already. I've been told this by my elders too. One day someone is up, walking around, totally healthy... and the next, they're in recovery and under the supervision of a home health aide. It happens.

While I'm blessed enough to say a majority of my family members are in tip-top health, I do have experience providing care for those in need. I'm actually a formerly certified nurse assistant, so I know firsthand how much love and determination it takes to be a caregiver. I am one. It takes a big heart to provide care to loved ones, but it also takes patience, a new set of boundaries, and sometimes even arming yourself with a new knowledge-base.


Today I'm going to suggest a few ways you can prepare for this stage in life, including tips for helping you cope and how you can save some money while transitioning into your new role:

1. Learn to listen whole-heartedly - You'll want to re-evaluate the way you communicate with your "patient". Listening to body language is of utmost importance and be humble in your responses. Do everything you can to understand, even if it's hard at times.


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2. Bring on the basics - You probably wouldn't think of it until it's time, but Sam's Club is a great place to find basic care giving items. Things like a walker, supplemental drinks, Poise products, Depends products, a gait belt, and several other necessities.

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The protection having these items offers can provide both the patient and the caregiver with peace of mind... and luckily you can find most of what you need at Sam's for a great deal!

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Plus, if you're feeling bashful, you can always use discreet shipping from Sam's Club to get the supplies needed to provide care, as well as the ability to use club pick up, scan & go, and more.

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The item I think is the most valuable when making Sam's run as a caregiver is Ensure Nutrition Shakes. I know the power of providing adequate nutrition is important and finding a great deal on these supplemental items is a true blessing. 

3. Rethink boundaries - While we all have a "bubble" and find comfort in it, with care giving that bubble goes out the door. As a CNA, I held people up, I helped them roll from side to side, and the list goes on. You no longer have personal boundaries once you start providing care for most patients and really, no topic of discussion should be off limits either. You'll be discussing bowel movements, catheters, and other private matters regularly as a caregiver.

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4. Remember - My last bit of advice to a caregiver is to remember. Remember what it's like to be vulnerable, remember that your patient (whether a family member or a stranger) is a person and has likely done amazing things in their life, remember the golden rule - treat others as you would like to be treated.

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With that said, I'm so lucky that I have had the pleasure of learning to provide care from some very loving and well-educated individuals... and while I'm not currently using my certification, I know when the time comes to care for those I love, I'll be ready...