I love you to moon and back necklace REVIEW!

Not only is the necklace beautiful but the packaging is beautiful and very personal. The necklace is made from high quality materials. The antique look and feel is perfect for today's trendy styles.  The clasp is easy to open even with y long nails. The chain is a good weight and very durable. Overall a really beautiful necklace

*I received this necklace in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *



Here's what the company has to say about their product:

  • Sweet gift for her
  • Gift ready packaging, no need to wrap.
  • Size: Approximately 1" diameter, comes in 18", 20", 22", 24", 27", 30" chain lengths. You can choose at checkout
  • It reads I love you to the moon and back
  • Vintage style pendant on an antique bronze color necklace
  • The handcrafted pendant has artwork that's covered with a glass dome which both protects, enhances, & slightly magnifies the image.
  • Pendants are water resistant but not completely waterproof, please remove to swim or shower. NOT INTENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN.
  • © All designs are the copyright of Craft Street Design



Brieftons Vertico Spiralizer REVIEW!!!

I love this Spiralizer! It stands up right unlike so many other ones. It's super easy to use and even easier to clean. I love the brush that comes with it for easy cleaning. You literally just put whatever veggie in that you want to make "noodles" with and turn the handle. I like the little tray under neath that catches the noodles. It makes it a lot easier to just dump them into the water. Overall this is an awesome product.

*I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *




Here's what the company has to say about their product:

  • ✓ YOUR BEST CHOICE: Perfect for making long veggie strands & noodles for low carb, raw food, gluten free, no wheat, vegan, Paleo, vegetable meals. Replace high carb pasta with healthy & tasty veggie equivalents. Save valuable time by not having to slice, dice or cut the traditional way. Make professional-looking garnishes, apple chips, onion rings, potato nests, elegant salads, toppings, and so much more. A perfect gift for moms, cooks and healthy-conscious people or parent of fussy eating kids
  • ✓ PATENT-PENDING, TOP QUALITY & DESIGN: Made from 100% BPA-free, food-safe, durable reinforced ABS plastic. Highly versatile thanks to 4 ultra-sharp Japanese 420-grade hardened stainless steel blades accessible via a convenient dial for endless veg/fruit creations. Removable top rack for compact storage. Strong suction cups for secure operation. Easy to handwash and dishwasher safe (top shelf). Blade cleaning brush included. Comes with a 600-ml container to conveniently store spiralized veggies
  • ✓ HIGHLY VERSATILE: Make spiral slices from firm fruits/vegetables. Works great even for long and wide vegs (up to 14 CM long and 15 CM wide). 4 standard blade modes, with 7 possible veggie patterns. Simply turn the blade dial to get 4 Julienne-style vegetable noodles: Spaghetti Pasta (3 mm wide), Fetuccine Pasta (6 mm wide), Papardelle Pasta (12mm wide), Ribbon Cut (Max 55 mm wide). Let your imagination run wild and experiment with other veggie patterns such as circular and curvy potato shreds
  • ✓ SUPERIOR VALUE: Bundle includes the Brieftons Vertico Spiralizer with 4 cutting modes, cleaning brush, printed color manual with detailed assembly and usage instruction, easy online guide with our demo videos, the exclusive Brieftons Spiral Slicer Recipe ebook, Brieftons Guide to Summer Salad Recipes ebook, and Benefits of Raw Foods ebook with handy recipes you can make using your spiralizer today, plus outstanding Brieftons customer support, and more Brieftons ebooks on the way
  • ✓ A PERFECT GIFT FOR ALL OCCASIONS: What else can make better gifts for your loved ones than this gift of health. Perfect for moms, professional chefs, cooks, healthy-conscious folks, food enthusiasts, or parents of fussy eating children. Makes eating veggies fun for all again | BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: We are the trusted spiralizer brand with thousands of happy customers. You are covered by our full unconditional money back guarantee if you are not happy with your spiralizer, when you order today!







Waterproof Bibs and mats REVIEW

I love these! These are super easy to clean. You can literally just wash them with your dishes and be be done with them. I do suggest hand and air drying them just to make sure they get 100% dry but other than that super easy. Both the bibs and the place mats travel very easily. I just roll the bibs inside the place mats and put them into my diaper bag. I love having the option of giving my daughter a clean place to eat no matter where we are. The colors are vibrant and fun as well as the designs. Overall a great bib and mat set.

*I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *



Here's what the company has to say about their product:


  • NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS: Some bibs are made with BPA, PVC, PHTHALATES and other harmful chemicals that can really hurt your baby's health. Unlike others our bibs are tested, made from 100% food grade silicone & completely safe from any harmful chemicals! They are also design with crumb catchers to help keep your baby cleaner!
    • VERY SOFT & COMFORTABLE: Unlike other cloth bibs that can scratch your little one's neck with sharp velcro ours are design to fit your baby's neck softly and comfortably. They are completely adjustable & no matter how many times you wash them they will never loose their softness and flexibility!
    • EXTREMELY EASY TO CLEAN: Being a parent is not easy, that's why we designed our bibs to make your life easier! After using each bib and mat simply wash them by hand with soapy water or if you prefer simply insert them into the washing machine and you are ready to go!
    • SAVE TIME & MONEY! We want to help! each bib and mat can help you save more time by keeping your baby & table cleaner! They can also help you save more money since you wont need to buy more bibs every month & finally they can keep your baby's clothes from getting damage.



    Monica Lewinsky

    About 10 years ago some friends and I were playing a game of who would you invite to dinner. When it came to my turn I said Monica Lewinsky. Of course the guys made crude jokes and the women turned up their noses and asked "why?". I had what I thought was a simple answer "To see if she is OK." By this point everyone in the room asked  WHY?!?! I said THIS is why!  The simple fact that people who don't know this woman outside of what has been splashed across the internet and headlines have such vile reactions to just the mention of her name.There's a real living breathing human being behind those headlines. They all kind of rolled their eyes.

    There I sat with my friends with their crude comments and judgey faces. I finally said "I remember what and who all of you were doing when you were 22 and WHY do I remember? Because I was right there with you. We all did things at 22 that we wouldn't want to be known for at 36." They all just kind of looked at me. No I didn't sit and remind them of their indiscretions  but I did ask them to think back. Think back to 22 Think back to the partying and all the things we ALL did. Now would you like to have those things be your legacy? Be what you are known for? Be the only things people know about you? Of course they all said no. They admitted they had never thought of it like that. Never thought of it like that? Were they serious? The media and people in general said the most horrible things about this woman. A woman none of them actually knew. A woman who fell in love with the wrong man. Most women over a certain age can say they've done that. Some, more than once. Heck I've done it. Would I like to be known only for THAT relationship? Heavens no. I'm blessed enough to have mostly wiped it from my memory and not to have to relive it on a daily basis. Ms. Lewinsky isn't that lucky.

    I then asked my friends to think about all the conversations we've had over the years about the intimate details of our lives with people we trust and call friends. What if we found out those people were in fact not your friends and  were recording our calls to later use against us. Who do you trust at that point?

    I remember watching T.V. and literally saying over and over again "she's a person"  "she's a human being" "what if she was YOUR daughter?" I actually got thrown out of a government class for speaking up when someone called Miss Lewinsky a "slut". A "slut" for doing what MOST of us have done with our boyfriends? A "slut" for falling in love with a man?  I guess I've just never understood that form of thinking.

     I have always wanted people to think deeper than just the "acts" talked about in the Starr report. Think about the human beings involved. We all know HE came out of it OK but what about Monica? What about her?

    We as a modern society like to chew people up and spit them out with no regard for their feelings or their spirits. YES their spirits....Bullying ( cyber or otherwise ) or just being unkind can damage the human spirit.  When does it stop? When do we as human beings stand up and say no more? Oh that's right it's all "ok" until it's you.

    THIS FORM OF THINKING NEEDS TO CHANGE!




    Pool Life

    It's always a treat when my BFF comes to town and we get to hang out. she was here for business and invited the tiny human and I over to hang out at her hotel. Well she had to work so we went and hung out just the two of us. So of course we had to hit the pool. We got dressed and went down stairs. After getting lost for like 30 minutes we finally found the pool. The pool closed at 7pm and we got there at like 5:05pm. So we didn't have a lot of time but it was alright. We found a chair, put our stuff down and hopped into the pool. We swam and splashed for about 30 minutes then climb into a chair and just sat and watched people. Even at 2 KC likes to people watch. I love that about her. It's like she's studying their behaviors. I wish I knew what was going on in her little head. We sat and people watched until 7 o'clock when it was time to leave. It was nice just sitting there with my tiny mini. 

    We went back to the room, showered and waited for Amy. Amy came back from her business dinner and we just hung out and talked til like 2am. The poor tiny princess had passed out hours before. It was awesome catching up with her.














    iHome Slim Portable Battery REVIEW!

    I love being able to charge my phone on the go and this charger is great when it stays on. I found myself having to check my phone and turn the unit back on after 15 minutes or so. When it was on my Iphone seemed to charge very quickly. The unit itself is very slim and compact. It fits perfectly in my purse and diaper bags. I was able to get a full charge on my phone (it was down to 3% battery life) with some battery power left over in the unit. Overall I am pleased with this product. I took away one star because I did have to turn it back on a couple of times.


    *I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *




    Here's what the company has to say about their product:

    • Battery has LED indicators let you know how much charge is left in the portable device.
    • Simple to use. Just plug in your device, hit the side "on" button, and your device is charging! To turn off the power bank, simply disconnect the USB cable or device.
    • Package includes micro USB to USB charging cable
    • Lightening: Compatible for Apple iPhone 6 / 6 Plus, iPhone 5 / 5S / 5C, iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPod touch 5, iPod Nano 7 Micro USB: Compatible for Google Nexus4/7/10, Samsung Galaxy Tab/Note, Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S6/S6 Edge, HTC, Motorola, Nexus, Nokia, LG, HP, Sony, Blackberry and other devices

    *iHome makes a number of really awesome portable chargers *


    Hello? Narnia?

    I'm in kind of an odd place.  I've met a few nice ladies here but for whatever reason they just aren't my "Narnia".  I'm not fully used to women like these. Not to say they aren't simply lovely but just not what I'm used to. I'm used to all my female friends (moms and child free) having something in their lives besides kids or pets that they treat as children. My BFF is uber successful in school and work. I so admire and look up to that. Many of the women here are true stay at home moms which is awesome. As funny as it sounds I had never met a true stay at home mom before moving here. Like I said all my mom friends had some sort of job or side hustle if they were a SAHM and I knew a crap ton of work at home moms. It;s taken some getting used to. I'm used to having conversations about politics, taxes, current events , work AND kids. Not just kids 24/7. I asked a new mom friend about the election and what were her feelings on some of the upcoming items on the ballot. Her eyes glazed over and she said "my husband takes care of that stuff." I was shocked to say the least. I called an old friend and asked her the same question. We ended up having an hour long conversation about the issues and our feelings. It was refreshing. I think all parents need times and friends who they can talk to about anything not just all things kid related. Granted I talk about my off spring a lot but I can have conversations that have nothing to do with kids. I think when women have kids their lives get consumed (rightfully so) but I think many lose themselves in motherhood. What happens when the kids go to school or worse leave for college and to start their own lives. Who are the moms then? 

    Don't get me wrong and don't break out the pitch forks I am 100000000000000% for stay at home moms. I think it's great if the only thing you have to focus on is your family. 






    Couponing


    So yeah I have gone over to the dark side and started couponing again. This time it's more of an "extreme" couponing thing but in moderation..... sorta. Do I have a mini stock pile? Yes but it's only things we actually use. I don't have hundreds of one item or anything. Tho I do admire people who can and do. As a single mom you're always looking for ways to save money no matter how much you make. I also like not having to shop too often for everyday things. I'll also admit it's quite a high too. I paid $17.90 for 10 shampoos , 10 conditioners and 18 tooth pastes. Not bad in my opinion and it's the good stuff!! Not the cheap 99 cent store items. I love having products on hand in case we need anything. You never know what tomorrow holds. I think being prepared is very important. Now I'm off to find body wash and deodorant coupons lol 




    Kroger Deal:  They were on sale for 2 for $5.
    I had 10  $4 off two bottles coupons making each bottle $0.50

    Walmart Deal: Razors are $3.27 regular price.
    I had 20 $3 off coupons making each one $0.27













    One of my favorite couponing apps. It's called Flipp

    Dollar Tree Deal:
    The cups were $1 and I had 10  $1.50 off
    each one. Making them FREE!!! Just pay tax. 

    Dollar Tree Deal:
    The cups were $1 and I had 10  $1.50 off
    each one. Making them FREE!!! Just pay tax.



    The coupons I used in my toothpaste,
    shampoo and conditioner haul

    Walmart Deal:
    Almay eye shadow is $4.97 and
     I had 10 $4 off coupons.  Making each
    one $0.97! 

    Staples Deal:
    Each pack was $3.90 on clearance.

    Kroger Deal:
    Toothpaste was 3 for $6.
    I had 20 $2 off each tube coupons making
    them FREE! Just pay tax. 





    Aulker Portable Bluetooth Speaker REVIEW

    This speaker is great for home or for travel. I took it on my last trip and it worked amazingly well. The speaker is blue tooth which made it super easy to use with my Iphone. The sound quality is is great and it even has a good bass output. The battery life is also great. I used it 4 days in a row every morning while I was getting ready and didn't need to charge it once. The buttons are clearly labeled so even the least tech savvy person can correctly use it. Overall this is an awesome speaker.


    * I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *




    Here's what the company has to say about their product:


    • TAKE YOUR JAMS ANYWHERE! QUICK & EASY PAIR WITH 99% BLUETOOTH DEVICES UP TO 33FT / 10 METER: super easy to pair, just search and pair. Want your tunes with you anywhere? With the power dual 5W audio driver and high quality clear sound, this is the right one to get.
    • 8 HOUR PLAY POWERFUL WIRELESS SPEAKER...AND A FREE 1 YEAR PREMIUM MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY! For the cost of a meal, take your music anywhere. Isn't that worth it, alone? FM Radio, Hands-Free Calling, Micro TF/SD Card Support, USB Input, AUX 3.5mm Line-In, what a great value! Get a few or sent as gifts to your family and friends, this investment makes sense.
    • FM RADIO, HANDS-FREE CALLING, MICRO TF/SD CARD SUPPORTED, USB INPUT, AUX LINE-IN. Anti-Skidding bottom mat and quality mesh silicone front layer provide high stability when standing or holding in hand. This is a speaker with lots of function, don't miss it!
    • BUILT-IN MICROPHONE FOR HANDS-FREE CALLING AS A SPEAKERPHONE: tired of your shoulder and neck pain due to the phone call? Enjoy the speaker as a loud speakerphone to free your hands when calling with built-in mic
    • WHAT IS IN THE PACKAGE: Aulker Portable Wireless FM Radio Bluetooth Speaker x 1, USB Charge Cable x 1, Aux 3.5mm Audio Cable x 1




    Shrimp , Veggies and Rice

    I love shrimp!!! I do a lot of cooking with shrimp now days. KC is allergic to chicken ...hell she's allergic to all things with feathers. Since she still nurses I still cannot eat things she is allergic to. This is my quick and easy go to shrimp with veggies meal. 

    1/2 of uncooked shrimp
    1 bag of mixed frozen veggies of your choice
    Mrs Dash to taste
    Jasmine Rice (I use the pre made stuff in the cup)
    Olive oil 
    Lemon juice
    Butter


    Instructions:

    "Marinade" shrimp in lemon juice, olive oil and Mrs Dash until they start to turn pink. The drain and dry the shrimp. Not drying them adds water to the pan equaling a more boiled taste to your shrimp. 
    Place olive oil in skillet along with veggies seasoned with Mrs Dash. Cook veggies for a 2 - 3 minutes then toss in shrimp with a bit of butter. Cook until shrimp is fully cooked and vegetables are done to your desired texture. Follow the directions on the rice cups ( Jasmine rice from scratch  ). 

    I put a tiny bit of butter and lemon juice in the plate or bowl first then put the steaming hot rice over it. Please shrimp and veggies on top and serve. Super simple and ultra tasty. ENJOY! 




    Bambini & ME Certified Amber Teething Necklace REVIEW!

    We are a huge amber teething necklace family. My daughter has been wearing them since she was around 3 months old. She has had no teething pains. Even when her 2 year old molars came in she was fine. I give amber teething necklaces a lot of credit. This one is no different. When she out grew her last one we got this one and it's been continued smooth sailing. The stones are individually knotted so if it does break (I've never had one that did) only one stone will fall off not all of them. The stones are polished and size appropriate for a necklace for a younger child. I love that the jelly style soft teether necklace also comes with it. My daughter is forever putting everything in her mouth even when not teething. I love being able to hold her or wear her and her have something around my neck to play with and entertain herself with. Overall this is a great set.

     *I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *


    Here's what the company has to say about their product:

    Bambini & ME Certified Amber Teething Necklace
    About the Product
    • REDUCES TEETHING PAIN: Our Baltic Amber Teething Necklace is the perfect teething toy for reducing teething pain for its all-natural analgesic healing properties.
      SAFE TO USE: You don't have to worry about your baby or toddler breaking our teething necklace. It's knotted so the amber won't break apart and is sturdy against even the strongest tiny hands
      HYPOALLERGENIC: Great for infants and toddlers of all ages, our Baltic Amber Teething Necklace is hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so you never have to worry about it housing germs. It can also be easily cleaned with a warm, damp rag.
      ALL-NATURAL AMBER: That's right, each of our teething necklaces are made from 100% fossilized tree resin. Warm to the touch, Baltic amber is a very popular homeopathic medical choice.
      STYLISH & UNIQUE: Unlike the thousands of plastic teething toys out there, ours is fun, unique and better for helping your baby through those tough teething nights.


       
    Features & Benefits:
    100% certified high-quality Baltic amber
    Warm to the touch
    Safety knots between amber pieces
    Natural immune system booster
    • **Includes a silicone teething necklace mom can wear!



    Easy@Home Digital Oral Thermometer

    Product Name:   Easy@Home Digital Oral Thermometer

    A good thermometer is a must for any parent and this one is one of the best oral ones I have found. The display is nice and large. It's easy for an overly tired mom to quickly and easily read. It also lights up which makes a HUGE difference when you're using it at night. Being able to read your child's temperature without turning on all the lights in their room is awesome. The unit is made with high quality materials. It's not one of those cheap ones you find at the big box retailers. Overall it's easy to use and I will add this to my go to baby shower gift list.

    * I received this product in exchange for my 100% honest opinion *







    Here's what the company has to say about their product:

    The Easy@Home EMT-026 is a deluxe, reliable and clinically accurate thermometer for everyday use at home. It is designed to make oral, axillary or rectal temperature taking quick and easy. Quick and accurate Oral temperature readings in 10-20 seconds. The large backlit display is easy for you to read, even in the dark. 



    Check out a few of my other mommy must haves!!!