SOCIAL MEDIA

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Tribut Apparel Review and Giveaway

I've been a fan of music for as far back as I can remember.  My mom kept a radio in my room that was always on when I was a baby.  When I went to bed as a child, I kept the radio on all night. There's just something comforting about falling asleep to your favorite radio station.  If I'm home, the radio is usually always on.  You can see the reoccurring musical pattern here throughout my life! I have so many favorite songs both past and present that I love to sing along to when I hear them.  Go ahead and put your favorite song on today!



Tribut Apparel is an online speciality retailer that sells a selection of music, art, and pop culture themed merchandise including t-shire, hoodies, baseball caps and more.  The most popular items are t-shirts for men and women featuring classic bands and singers such as Johnny Cash, Aerosmith, Kiss, AC/DC and more.  If you don't want a t-shirt featuring a specific band, how about a shirt that has a musical theme on it such as a guitar or headphones? Everything from Tribut Apparel is made to last and would make a perfect gift for that music lover in your life.  

I've always been a fan of everything vintage, not only music but clothes, television shows, and more.  I gravitate towards top 40 hits and classic rock of the 60's/70's/80s.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy current music of today but songs just aren't made the same anymore  I own a record player and I regularly play records ranging from Carole King and Blondie to Guns n Roses and Stevie Nicks.  As you can see, my taste is diverse.  For my 16th birthday,  my parents took me to see Cyndi Lauper.  I'm only 26 now, but I can guarantee most 16 year olds don't listen to her music!  I've always had unique interests and I'm proud of that.

When I came across Tribut Apparel's Big Mess T-Shirt, I just knew I had to have it.  The old-school cassette tape featured on the shirt was so cute.  The big mess aspect of the shirt represents those moments in life when we can't find ourselves, and somehow music always helps us put things back in order. 

This isn't me, but I do love all of the records in the background. I wonder if the woman would let me have some?


Since I'm pregnant, most things don't fit me normally or even at all.  I ordered the t-shirt in a much larger size than I am and hoped that it would fit.  Luckily it did, and it wasn't too short and covered my belly well.  It's very comfortable on and is loose.  I don't like when clothes fit too tightly.  The pink is a soft shade of pink that I can best describe as salmon.  How cute is the cassette graphic? I love the ribbon that is wound out of it.  Everyone's experienced the annoyance of that at some point in their life. This shirt is perfect for just lounging around in with sweats when you're feeling lazy.  It held up well after being washed and I didn't notice any fading or pilling.

Since I'll be at home with my daughter once she's born in a few weeks, I'm sure I'll be wearing this with a zip-up hoodie since it's starting to get colder.  If you're looking for a comfortable shirt that's unique, this one is perfect.








Sunday, September 28, 2014

Baby Scarlett's Nursery!

I always love seeing pictures of babies' nurseries, so I'm very excited to share my daughter's room! It's pretty much done at this point.  I might make a minor tweak or two, but nothing major.














Friday, September 26, 2014

Wall Art Stickers for Everyone to Love

Wall art stickers- Creates a dreamland for your kids at home
Today, decorating a home with latest interiors, wall art and amazing masterpieces is a fashion which is preferred and desire by every homeowner. Are you looking to give a new and attractive look to your’s and your kids bedroom, then cross your fingers as you have the best wall art stickers to personalize your kid’s room by creating a fantastic view which let the child feel it a magic wall in the dreamland all the time. With these wall arts, you can express your love to your kids and their love towards their siblings with beautiful and impressive quotes which are short but great to understand.

Provides a natural look to the walls
Prefer smile decals, friendship decals, cartoons and tree decals and birds page which presents life to the wall. Nowadays, before getting the walls painted in beautiful colors, most of the people are choosing wall decals to make it look attractive on the painted color. We have a wide choice of wall art stickers in dark and light shades which matched with the color you have painted in your home and office. If you wish to create a pleasing environment in the office for staff, then choose the quotes which inspire them to be with good rapport with colleagues and attract customers to be your client in their first visit. Perhaps wall stickers in durable material are best to prefer as it worth your money.



The benefits of getting the wall decorated with stickers
Wall art stickers are available in  a wide range of designs with us and possess the ability to jazz up any wall of your home for a stylish look in minutes. Being he affordable methods of giving an attractive look to the wall, it looks fantastic on a plain light and dark color background.  Most of the people spend dollars and pounds on different size stickers to make it look professional and fabulous all the time giving chance to celebrate or party at home to let your friends appreciate and compliment over the art stickers. In addition to this, speed and comfort of its use are more advantageous as it does not take more time to decorate and are ideal for every material wall to make it look pretty in seconds.



Provides space for imagination
The wall stickers are not similar to the other forms of art stickers as they are completely customizable. You can cut it down in your desired size and rearrange and even paint over them in your favorite color. Indeed, we present thousands of designs starting from flowers to cartoon characters in vibrant colors and different size which leaves you with no other option to choose wall art stickers and decorate your wall with your own quotes with it.
As you have understood the way to choose the best wall stickers to design behind the wall of your favorite sofa, near the music system corner and at the exit to the patio which makes you feel cool and cheerful all the time. You also can use banners from bannerstandspro.com to decorate your rooms. It will bring you a different atmosphere.






Thursday, September 25, 2014

Holiday 2014 Gift Guide

Hello companies!

Would you like to be featured on Sammi's Blog of Life for an upcoming holiday gift guide?

Please feel free to email me.  I'd love to hear from you! You can reach me at Sammirichardson@yahoo.com.

I look forward to working with you.


Graco Review

It's important to plan ahead when you have a child.  Even though my daughter isn't born yet, I've purchased things that she will use in time like larger sized clothes and toys, to be specific.  Being prepared is something that I think is essential in life.  I am very much looking forward to when she's born and able to use everything I have ready for her!


Graco is the headquarters for everything and anything you could need for baby.  This brand is surely one of the few that instantly come to mind when I think of baby products.  Graco's product line-up includes strollers, high chairs, pack 'n play, car seats, swings, and more. The best part about Graco is that their products transition with your child as they age and grow, so you really get many years of use from them.  I've been recommended Graco products throughout my pregnancy by many parents and I can see why they love the brand so much! If you're attending a baby shower in the next few months or know someone who has recently given birth, a Graco gift makes the perfect present. 

My daughter is due in just 10 weeks now! I'm really going into planning overdrive to ensure everything is perfect and ready for her.  In the beginning, I have a travel system that I'll be using for her.  Of course the car seat has a weight limit on it and she'll eventually outgrow it.  Many parents would say they will worry about buying a new car seat when the time is necessary, but why get to that point? I say have one ready to go well before it's needed! Graco's trustworthy and reliable products keep me coming back time and time again.  

Graco generously sent me an Argos 80 Elite 3-in-1 Car Seat.  The best feature about this car seat is that it grows with your child.  Initially, the car seat holds a 20-80 lb forward facing toddler, then transitions into a high back-belt booster for a 30-100 lb child.  If you think that was good enough, just wait! The final transition of the car seat is a backless booster for a 40-120 lb child.  I really can't get over just how many years you'll be able to use this product for.

I'll be with you for years to come. 

This car seat is very attractive and the gender neutral color is ideal if you're using it for multiple children.  I've tested the car seat in the back of my car and it seems extremely secure, realible, and durable. In minutes it was installed and I could easily see how it locks effortlessly into place. It's also compact and doesn't take up a ton of room which is a bonus.  When my daughter outgrows her initial carseat, I will be transitioning her into this one.  Since the car seat grows with her, I'll be able to use this for many years which is beyond convenient.  When the time comes for her to use this car seat, I'll feel very confident and comfortable that she is riding safely in the car. 

A wonderful thing about the seat cushions is that they are removable and washable.  No longer will you have to worry if your child gets sick or spills something, just throw them in the washing machine!  I love anything that's machine washable, it makes my life so much easier.  Some of the other handy features of the car seat include a cup holder and a storage pocket. Let your child enjoy a sippy cup of juice while they play with their toys which were stored in the side pocket.  

If you didn't already know, the car seat features safe seat engineering.  This means that it's engineered and crash-tested to meet or exceed United States safety standards. Hearing this surely makes my mom-to-be mind happy.

I'm very happy with the Graco Argos 80 car seat and look forward to using it for years to come.  If you're currently on the car seat hunt, why not check out what Graco has to offer?

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Graco for providing me with complimentary product in exchange for this review.  All thoughts are my own. 



How to Make Your Own Bingo Games With Your Kids

Every parent, presented with a rainy day and a distinct lack of things to do, is likely to be presented with a small period of internal crisis when the reality dawns that their children are getting bored and soon will turn into little screaming hellions. You need not tread the oft-trodden road of placing the kids in front of a film, however. There’s a simple, fun game that all ages can play; bingo! A game of bingo will not only banish boredom, but will be a chance for some lovely bonding time with your children. Don’t worry though, there’s no need to buy anything special, there’s plenty of free ways you can play.

The first thing you’ll need is bingo cards, the key piece of the bingo game puzzle. These are freely available on the internet for anyone to download and print off; all you need is access to an internet connection and a printer. Sites such as print-bingo offer free, randomised cards, in a variety of languages, and also offer cards that use words, not just numbers, so you can also play bingo permutations such as buzzword bingo.
When one thinks of bingo the first thing that pops in to one’s head is a numbered ball dispenser; there’s no need to buy one of these expensive pieces of kit, however, any random number generator will suffice! Random.org is a great little site for getting those sought after numbers for your game, and is completely free, offering a variety of different generators that will help you run any type of bingo game you’d like!

Now many people will have last encountered bingo whilst at school, or perhaps played whilst visiting an elderly relative, though these often boring ways of play need not tar one’s image of the game of bingo! 5 in a row is the most common method of play, put pattern bingo is also a great way to play, where the caller announces a particular patter that players must fill in to win, each pattern changing per round. This way, the game doesn’t end up getting stale!

Finally, you should definitely begin to hone your bingo skills, not just so you can win, but do you can help out the kids if they get in to any difficulty. Recently I have been testing my skills for free at online bingo sites, who offer a variety of different games and styles, for free! Find yourself becoming a bingo pro? There’s plenty more sites where one can play for small amounts of money; you might be surprised at how much you win! 



The Ultimate Guide to An Amazing Date Night

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When you live with someone, you can often forget the importance of dating. Going on special dates makes a world of difference to you and your partner. Things can be tough when you are pregnant like me as you spend most of your time thinking about the baby, not your relationship. By making sure that you take the time to enjoy your time together, you can ensure that you have a wonderful relationship. Sometimes people become comfortable in their relationship. Of course, it is nice to have the stability and comfort that living with your partner offers. Sometimes, though, you will begin to miss the excitement of dating. Here is how you can plan an ideal date night for you and your partner.

Finding time to date

You both have busy schedules; that is a given. Finding the time to go out together might be tricky when you have other commitments. Remember, spending ten minutes together watching TV does not count as a date. Instead, you need to dedicate an entire night to the event. Ask your partner when he is free and try and work around his schedule. Find a night when you can both go out and make a commitment to stick to your plans.

Choosing the perfect date

Finding the perfect date to suit you and your partner is difficult. Dinner and drinks are classic, and so you might want to opt for that option. The cinema is another great choice. The point is that it doesn't matter too much what you do. All that matters is that you take the chance to spend time together. Talk about things you'd like to do. Often when you get into a relationship, you start socializing with other people more. Take the things you were going to do with your friends and do them with your partner instead.

Planning your outfit

One way to make your evening special is to dress for the occasion. Make a point of dressing up for your partner and remind him why he fell in love with you. Tuchuzy sell designer dresses online that are quite reasonable. Buy a new dress without telling your partner. He is likely to know your wardrobe better than you at this point. It will come as a huge surprise to him when you put a new dress on to go out. Showing your partner that you are willing to put extra effort into your appearance will mean a lot to him.

Finding things to talk about

One thing that you must steer clear of when you go on a date with your partner is talking about your worries. When you live with someone for a long time, they become the person that you confide in the most. That means that you become used to telling them about your troubles. Your partner does not want to be your counselor. When you are at home, you can discuss issues. When you are on a date, keep the conversation light and happy. Doing so will mimic a first date, and you can start to get to know each other again.  

Making things a little special

Surprise your partner whilst you are on a date. When people first start dating, they try to impress each other. Over the course of a long relationship, people stop trying to impress and start relaxing. Give your partner a little surprise by buying them a small gift or ordering their favorite meal for them. Showing your partner that you still want to impress them after all these years will mean that they appreciate you. You can become lazy in a relationship all too easily. Don't fall into that trap.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Edwards Review and Giveaway

Now that Fall is officially here, it's time to celebrate the new season with everything pumpkin. I do believe that pumpkin is a staple dessert of Fall, and it's also one of my favorite seasonal treats.  If you haven't indulged in the orange delight yet this year, I say what are you waiting for? Pumpkin pie or bread is best served over warm conversation with friends and family.



Edwards frozen desserts offer unique little indulgences that enrich our everyday lives.  The company produces full-sized frozen pies and dessert singles.  With fabulous flavors like Hershey's crème pie, Reese's crème pie, key lime pie, and banana crème pie among many others, how can you go wrong? The pies certainly don't lack taste and sweetness.  They go from fridge to table in a short time.  Don't forget to accompany your slice with a steaming mug of coffee or tea.  Keep them in mind this holiday season to serve at your holiday parties. The only thing you'll have to worry about is not finishing the entire pie by yourself.

I've been a fan of Edwards for years.  It was love at first bite when I sampled the Hershey's pie.  Since then I've moved on to new loves, but Hershey's will always be my first love. Since cooler temperatures are now here, what better to way to invite Fall into your home than with pumpkin pie? Edwards has recently introduced their Pumpkin Creme pie and I can't think of anything more fabulous.  

My heart turned into liquid pumpkin when I tried a piece of this pie.


The new pie elevates dessert to a delectable new level that you won't be able to get enough of.  Picture it now, a sweet treat that starts with a vanilla-cookie crust infused with ginger and cinnamon.  Next, get ready to sink your teeth into velvety layers of cream cheese and pumpkin.  Of course the finishing touch is the double layer of whipped creme rosettes on top.  If this doesn't make your mouth water you cannot be human.  It's time to stop by your local grocery store and pick this pie up today. Tell your fork to get ready, it has a big job ahead! 

I actually tried the pie for the first time today, and it was an experience I won't soon forget.  I cut myself a petite piece and prepared for an explosion of flavors in my mouth.  The sweet cookie crust had fabulous notes of vanilla in it, but the hint of ginger and cinnamon was prevalent.  I wouldn't think to normally pair ginger and cinnamon together but it truly works.  Once my taste buds got hold of the cream cheese and pumpkin, I was transformed to Planet Pumpkin.  I really enjoyed the creamy richness of the pumpkin that was provided by the cream cheese. The pie was sweet but not overly sweet at all. The balance of all of the flavors together was marvelous.  I really liked the addition of the cream cheese, it was a nice twist from a traditional pumpkin pie.

Each piece was better than the last and I really had a hard time not attacking the entire pie all at once. Once my piece was finished, I was really sad.  The only thing that can make me feel better is having another piece.

If you're looking for something to really jazz up your holiday season this year, I highly recommend a pumpkin creme pie from Edwards.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, September 22, 2014

Baby Girl Due in Just 10 Weeks!

I've been counting down for many weeks now, but I'm in the home stretch! I have just 10 weeks (or less) to go.  

My daughter is due December 4th, but I hope she'll be early.  I'd rather her be early than waiting in agony and being late.  I can't wait to have seafood and sushi again.  I think sushi will be the first meal I eat after I have her.  I'm so looking forward to it!

Hoping the next few weeks fly by!


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Beautiful Beginnings 3D/4D Ultrasound Review

When I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I thought about was whether the baby was a boy or a girl.  When I found out it was a girl, I was extremely excited.  Of course the next thing everyone wonders is what the baby looks like.  Luckily technology has come a long way and you're now able to see what your baby looks like on the inside! The only thing you have to wait for next is for the baby to arrive.



Beautiful Beginnings is a 3D/4D non-diagnostic ultrasound studio located in Scarsdale, New York.  The studio focuses on creating memories that last a lifetime.  Beautiful Beginnings offers different ultrasound packages for moms depending on how far along they are.  For example, if you're between 15 and 20 weeks, you can find out the gender, listen to the heartbeat, and see your baby on the big screen.  There are other packages to choose from if you're farther along than that.  Each package offers printed pictures, pictures on a CD to upload online, and a recorded DVD of the entire ultrasound.  The DVD can be recorded with music of your choice, or Disney lullaby music that the studio provides.  Pregnancy is such a special time in your life and the memories are priceless. Bring your family and friends in to witness your precious baby moving in real time on the monitor.  Any package from Beautiful Beginnings makes the perfect baby shower gift or present for an expecting mom.  Go ahead and give them a call today to book an appointment.

I had the pleasure of visiting their ultrasound studio today for an appointment.  Since I am now 29 weeks, they told me this was a perfect time to come visit.  At this stage, the baby is developed and active.  As soon as my husband and I walked into the studio, we felt warm and welcomed by the staff. It's a small and intimate studio which was perfect for our needs.  

At this point, my husband and I were very much looking forward to seeing what our daughter looked like.  I've had regular 2D ultrasounds all along but they surely wouldn't compare to a 3D/4D ultrasound! The tech was very friendly and immediately let us hear the baby's heartbeat.  She confirmed it was a girl, which we knew.  My daughter had her arm over her face at the beginning of the session which wasn't conducive for capturing images.  With unsuccessful attempts at trying to move her, the tech recommended I get up and walk around and drink some water.  After this, we tried again and the images were much better, despite her being very active and moving a lot.  We were able to see her facial features which was so exciting! Her chubby cheeks were so cute and the tech mentioned she looks like she has a lot of hair. 

It was very surreal to see my daughter's face on the monitor since she is still in my belly. The tech was able to capture some very clear images which was amazing. I'm very thankful that technology like this exists. I will treasure the DVD and the images and look forward to showing them to my daughter someday.  I can't wait for her to be here, just 10 weeks or less now left! 

I had a wonderful experience at Beautiful Beginnings.   I highly recommend them if you're looking to see your angel on the big screen, it's such an awesome experience! 

Please check out their Facebook page as they're always having promotions that can save you 10 or 15%.  

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Beautiful Beginnings for providing me with a complimentary appointment in exchange for this review. All thoughts are strictly my own. 
Friday, September 19, 2014

#GetGoing with Delicious Jif to Go Anytime and Anywhere

“I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Jif To Go Dippers. I received a sample to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

While I don't have children already, my daughter will be here in just a few short weeks.  Fast forward a couple years ahead and she'll be busy with pre-school and activities.  Going from one activity to another and also fitting in playdates will be tiring.  You can't forget also making sure the house gets cleaned and dinner is ready on time too.  When you're on-the-go a lot, it's important to make sure you have snacks on hand for when anyone needs them.



Jif is everyone's favorite peanut butter brand whether you like it smooth or crunchy.  I've been an avid consumer and lover of Jif for years, and have had the pleasure of seeing them introduce many new products.  If you take a trip to the peanut butter aisle of your local grocery store you'll find Jif spreads, almond and cashew butters, hazelnut spreads, whipped peanut butter spreads and more. Whatever product you choose, I can guarantee it will be a fabulous spread choice for your bread.

Recently, Jif has introduced new Jif to Go Dippers.  These handy and portable snacks are just the what you need if you're craving a treat.  Choose from Jif creamy peanut butter with pretzels, or chocolate silk peanut butter with pretzels.  Everything is self contained to make snacking on-the-go a breeze.  Throw one in your purse or a mid-day pick-me-up at work, or they make the perfect sweet treat for your child's lunchbox too. 

Jif wants to award one lucky winner $1,000 in their new #GetGoing photo contest.  You can enter your picture for the chance to win $1,000 towards your next adventure.  You can find full contest details here and you're allowed to enter until October 1st.  




I know that if I was awarded $1,000 I would use it towards a family trip next summer.  My daughter would be about 7 months old then and it would be easier to take her on a trip.  I'm thinking a trip to the beach would be wonderful.  Where will you go on your next adventure?

Don't forget to follow Jif on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Lovey Letters Etsy Shop Review

One of the main components of a nursery is beautiful decor.  Yes, furniture is important but the real star of the show is the accessories and how you decorate it.  Whenever I see a nursery, my eyes immediately gravitate towards the color scheme and art on the walls.  Now that I've been heavily decorating my daughter's nursery, it's more important to me than ever to make sure I design it as best as I can.  This is my first child after all and I want everything to be perfect!



Lovey Letters is an Etsy shop ran by owner Leah.  The inspiration for her shop began when she found out she was pregnant with twins after years of struggling to conceive.  She knew she wanted something special and unique for her children's room.  From that thought her idea for creating personalized and custom wooden wall letters was born.  With help from her husband, Leah hand-makes each letter by hand, individually cutting and sanding them.  There are options for both a boy and girl's nursery.  You simply send her a picture of your nursery color scheme and she will work with you to create the name of your dreams.  You can style and design each individual letter so it is truly tailored to your taste and needs. Whether you want hearts, polka-dots, or flowers for a girl, or stripes and solids for a boy, there's nothing she can't create.  The wall letters make a beautiful statement piece in any child's nursery, and make an equally wonderful baby shower gift.  Go ahead and let Leah create the piece of your dreams today.

I was fortunate enough to be able to receive wall letters for my daughter's nursery.  She's now due in 11 weeks or less, so I'm counting down and making sure the room is perfect for her arrival.  My husband and I have finished setting up her furniture, so now we're focusing on decor.  There was a blank wall above her changing table that I knew had to be filled with something unique and special.  Simple prints just wouldn't cut it.  When I stumbled upon Leah's shop, I knew this was just what I needed.

Leah was instantly warm, friendly, and wanting to please.  I sent her a picture of the color of my daughter's room and told her I was interested in polkadots, chevron, flowers, etc. Anything girly you could think of, I requested.  This is my first child and she's a girl, how could I not go nuts?! Just a few short days later, I received a proof for my approval.  It was just beautiful and I felt so lucky that I was going to have something so beautiful for my daughter's room.

The letters came yesterday and were so much more beautiful in person.  The picture did not do them justice at all.  I chose the smallest size available since her room is small, and the walls are not too wide.  I put my husband to work putting them up on the wall.  I couldn't wait for them to be hung!

Each letter is just beyond gorgeous.  The pink theme carried through perfectly and I love how each letter has a different personality.

Look at the detail on each letter, it's incredible! Each letter has a sweet ribbon that attaches to a nail for hanging. Yes, I've also finally revealed her name!

Leah's creativity, talent, and dedication surely shines through in this piece.  I can't imagine how long it takes to create each name, but I can assure you it's not quick.  The letters are made very well and extremely durable.  I can see them lasting for some time.  The colors are bright and vivid and of high quality. I'm very excited that my daughter has such a unique piece in her room that can't be bought in any store anywhere.

I'll be enjoying the wall letters for years to come, and I hope she likes them when she's older too.  If you're looking for a custom piece for your child's nursery, please don't hesitate to contact Leah.  She's waiting to create a work of art that will blow you away.

Don't forget to check out her new website

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Lovey Letters for providing me with a custom piece in exchange for this review.  All thoughts are strictly mine. 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Cold-EEZE Giveaway

When cooler weather is on the horizon, everyone knows that it's time to protect yourself against sickness.  Being sick is awful, and when we are under the weather we want to get better as soon as possible.  Returning to normal, everyday life is every sick person's first thought.  Wouldn't it be nice to cut your sickness in half and get rid of that cold quickly? Make sure you protect yourself against illness this Fall.

Cold-EEZE cold remedy products are clinically proven to reduce the common cold by nearly half and are formulated with zinc gluconate. Nobody likes being sick, but thanks to Cold-EEZE, you will feel wonderful all through the cold weather season. Cold-EEZE is available in lozenges, oral spray, and quick-melts.  The newest members of the Cold-EEZE family are Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy Plus Multi Symptom Cold Relief and Flu Quickmelts. If you're looking for a product with proven results, Cold-EEZE is your go-to medicine. Keep these products in your medicine cabinet for quick access when you need them most.

To help protect against sickness in the upcoming Fall season, Cold-EEZE wants to offer one lucky reader a get well sooner care package containing the entire family of products.  Your medicine cabinet will feel like its won the medicine jackpot! 



All products are perfect for throwing into a child's backpack.  If you're traveling throw them into your carry-on for quick access.  Don't forget to also keep some in your purse or glove compartment in your car.  Let Cold-EEZE make you feel better when you're at your worst. 

Monday, September 15, 2014

Exergen Review

When you have a sick baby the only thing you want to do is make them feel better.  Trying to take a child's temperature can be a real challenge especially if they fight it.  You know that monitoring their temperature if it keeps rising is paramount for their safety.  Wouldn't it be nice if you could have an accurate reading without disturbing them? Let your temperature dreams now become a reality.

Exergen is the creator of the first temporal artery thermometer.  This thermometer is the leader in industrial and medical temperature technology.  It's time to throw out those old under-the-tongue thermometers, they are truly a thing of the past.  Technology has evolved and advanced leaving us with products that make being a parent easier.  The Exergen temporal artery thermometer gives an accurate temperature with a gentle forehead scan.  In seconds a digital reading appears on the screen of the thermometer.  It's fast, accurate, and best of all non-invasive.  The thermometer is #1 pediatrician preferred and the method of choice of premier hospitals.  You won't have to worry about fighting with your child or sick baby to get a confirmed reading anymore.  Moms' you know this is a big plus in your book! The thermometer is an essential item that every parent should own.  Go ahead and put one in your bathroom drawer today.

Now that my daughter is due in just 11 (or less!) short weeks, I know that I'll eventually have to deal with a sick baby.  I can only imagine how I'll be the first time she's sick, especially since I have no prior experience.  I'm sure I'll be nervous and concerned! I'll feel much more confident to take her temperature with the temporal artery thermometer, since I won't feel like I'm hurting her.  The temporal artery is directly connected to the heart via the carotid artery.  It has the constant blood flow needed for accurate measurement, and provides the safest and most comfortable place for measuring temperature.  



To take a child's temperature, all you do is press and hold the button and lightly scan across their forehead.  You then release the button to read the temperature reading.  A wonderful feature of the product is the soft-glow display.  You can take a sleeping child's temperature in the dark and not disturb them, which is wonderful.  The lit display will display the temperature, but don't worry it's not bright enough to wake them up.  If you want to keep track of past readings, the product has an 8 temperature memory so you can make sure the number doesn't keep going up.  The programmable beeper and also programmable F or C reading is very handy.


The unit is compact enough to easily fit in a bathroom drawer or cabinet, or in a purse for on-the-go use. I know I'll need this in the near future and will feel confident in taking my daughter's temperature! 

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Exergen for providing me with a complimentary thermometer in exchange for this review.  All thoughts are my own. 
Sunday, September 14, 2014

SBC Brewery Review

I always look forward to going out to dinner every Saturday night.  Of course I enjoy getting a break from cooking too! Since there are so many restaurants in my town, there always seems to be a new one to try.  Each restaurant always offers a diverse menu of options to satisfy anyone's taste and palette, which is my favorite part.  If you haven't gone out to dinner recently, why not treat yourself tonight?


If you're looking for a restaurant that not only offers fabulous food but an on site brewery too, SBC Brewery is certainly the place for you.  The restaurant has three locations in Connecticut including Milford, Southport, and Branford. When you walk in you'll immediately notice the brewery that is creating the 27 varieties of beers that will delight your taste buds.  The atmosphere is cozy, friendly, and ideal for having a meal or even just beers with friends or family.  Open the menu to discover a range of tasty options including burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more. Don't forget to order up some mouth-watering appetizers like nachos or wings.  Stop in today, your server awaits you.

My husband and I visited the location in Southport last night.  As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a friendly hostess staff.  The manager Matt was alerted of our arrival and came to meet us. He was ready to answer any questions we had about the menu or the beer list too.  Oktoberfest just started at the restaurant last week and runs till the end of October. There's a special Oktoberfest themed menu which we were told the restaurant is promoting. If you're looking for German options that you can only order for a limited time, this is the menu for you.  
One pumpkin creme brûlée, please. 

I love the beautiful range of colors. 

Our drink orders were taken while we perused the appetizer list.  My husband loves beer and the manager recommended he try a flight, which is a mini sampler of light and dark beers. Each sample is only 3 ounces, which is perfect for trying new flavors and finding the one you like best.  I loved the presentation of the drinks and thought that the tiny glasses were cute, I don't think my husband was thinking the same thing though! He enjoyed having the opportunity a variety of different options and declared that one of the dark beers was his favorite.

The beer arrived while we perused the appetizer list.  How do you choose between choices like clam chowder, French onion soup, wings, shrimp, or even bruschetta? It's very hard, but you have to do the best you can.  I opted to go for something a little out of the ordinary, Bavarian pretzel sticks.  Soft pretzels make everything better so I knew I picked a good option.  My husband went for the traditional option of wings. We decided to split both, rather than just each have our own.

Soft pretzels and wings, what more could you want out of life?

The pretzels were absolutely phenomenal.  To say I enjoyed them is an immense understatement.  I did not want to share. I didn't even want my husband to ask to try them, that's how good they were.  These long sticks of heaven were soft, buttery, and warm.  They had just the right amount of salt on them to give them the salty flavor they needed.  When you bit into one, you were met with a fluffy center with a salty, buttery exterior.  If you think you could even have just one bite of these and stop, you're wrong. You are very wrong.  I didn't even try the mustard dipping sauce that came with them, they were fine on their own and didn't even need it. The only thing I wish is that the plate held 100 pretzel sticks instead of just 3.  Hey, we can all dream.

The wings were also extremely tasty and not too spicy.  I do not like spice at all, but was able to handle the level of spice the wings brought to the table like a champ.  The little fried wings were smothered in orange buffalo sauce and cooked to beautiful perfection.  I loved the satisfying crunch that the wings gave due to being fried, and the meat was juicy and tender.  Each wing offered a lot of meat to satisfy your inner carnivore.  The blue cheese dressing is a great way to kill the spice if you're looking for a milder option.  

Our entrees were brought out next.  I went for a chicken Milanese sandwich, while my husband ordered the sausage sampler from the Oktoberfest menu.
Fries, I love you.

This sandwich offered breaded chicken blanketed with a layer of cheese.  A bed of arugula was placed on top of the chicken, while the top piece of bread was slathered with pesto aioli. You can't forget the generous portion of perfectly crispy fries served with the sandwich either.  If you're not interested in the fries, you are not human.  I always say that fantastic bread really helps to bring a sandwich together.  This bread didn't disappoint in the slightest. It had a wonderful firm chewiness to it.  The juicy chicken was perfectly breaded and the breading helped bring texture to the chicken.  Chicken and cheese is a classic combination and this pairing was no exception.  Of course the pesto aioli added a creamy boost of flavor that was welcomed.  The fries were fabulous and bursting with fabulous potato flavor.  They were perfectly crispy and piping hot, just the way I like them.  

My husband's dish was right up his alley.  He is a big lover of meat and sausage and I knew he'd go nuts for this.  If you're looking for a hearty portion of sausage, I would highly suggest this meal.
Sausage lovers unite.

This dish offered a generous portion of bratwurst and knockwurst with veal and garlic sausage.  The meat was grilled and served over a freshly-made potato pancake on a bed of apple braised cabbage.   My husband said the meat had a wonderful smoky flavor that he couldn't get enough of. The mustard was excellent and just what sausage needs. Each bite was bursting with seasoning that made his stomach very happy.  The potato pancake was crispy with a wonderful flavor that was the perfect light accompaniment to a heavy meal.  In no time, he scarfed down the food like his life depended on it.  He barely spoke while eating it, so I think it's fair to say that there were no complaints!

As the meal winded down, it was time for dessert.  This is my favorite part of any meal. Who doesn't want to end a meal with something sweet? The waitress recommended the pot de creme, which is a new addition on their dessert menu.  That's just what we chose.

Chocolate fanatics please come forward.

This is not your traditional chocolate dessert by any means.  This pot de creme offers a fluffy, light whip cream topping drizzled with caramel sauce.  There's a rich chocolate like custard underneath that is certainly the star of the show.  There's a surprise inside though. Small pretzels are dotted throughout the dessert which provides the perfect balance of salty and sweet.  The whip cream was cool and creamy and the perfect way to introduce yourself into a thick, sweet dessert.  Once you make it past the whipped topping, you'll find yourself in a world of chocolate.  Each bite offers a chocolatey bite of pure heaven that is sweet, but not overpoweringly sweet.  The pretzels are evenly mixed in throughout to ensure a bit of saltiness in each bite.  The tea and coffee that we ended the meal paired perfectly with this dessert.  The dessert was certainly a hit in our books.

Our server checked on us throughout the meal and was very attentive. Her friendly disposition made our meal a great experience all around. 

If you're looking for fresh food and friendly service that is sure to please, definitely make a visit to SBC if you're in the Connecticut area.  You'll certainly be back time and time again.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to SBC for the complimentary meal in exchange for this review.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  

Be sure to check out SBC Brewery-Southport location on Facebook and Twitter

Friday, September 12, 2014

Blooming Bears Review and Giveaway

Everyone loves receiving flowers for virtually any occasion, but wouldn't it be nice if your standard flower delivery was spiced up a bit? Flowers light up a room and people instantly gravitate towards their beautiful bright colors.  Skip the requisite tulip delivery and surprise a friend or family member with something out of the ordinary that will really make them smile.



Blooming Bears are truly flowers with personality! This company specializes in floral sculpturing and has taken an average floral delivery and added a fun and whimsical element to it.  They create bears that are made entirely of a variety of multi-colored flowers, but are open to custom requests too. Delivery is available only in the five boros of New York City. Blooming Bears are dedicated to creating fun and memorable arrangements that impress and make a statement. They've certainly done that!  Every arrangement has its own personality and character.  The bears come in a beautiful woven basket that you can re-use.  Be prepared to water the flowers every three days, and they last about ten days. Now that Fall is upon us, how wonderful would it be to have a Fall themed bear floral arrangement as your Thanksgiving centerpiece? These bears are perfect for just about any occasion including a birthday, graduation, work, event, baby shower and more.  Everyone will instantly fall in love with them.  I can only imagine how much a child would enjoy receiving an arrangement for their birthday.  Go ahead and order an arrangement for someone today, they will absolutely love it.  I can guarantee it.

The company was kind enough to hand-deliver my arrangement to my home.  It was extremely nice of them since I live in Connecticut and they usually only deliver to NYC and the surrounding boros.  The owners showed up at my door with a gorgeous Fall themed basket holding an adorable flower bear.  The colors used in the arrangement were red, orange, and yellow which just scream Fall.  I absolutely loved the sweet little pumpkin that was in the basket too.  If this wasn't the perfect way to welcome Fall into my home, I don't know what is!


This sweet little bear instantly put a smile on my face as soon as I saw him.  The talent, hard-work, and dedication that goes into this arrangement is certainly recognizable.  I wish I had even a quarter of this much talent and creativity! Each arrangement is made by hand and takes about four hours to complete.  The end result is adorable and so worth it though.  Make sure you don't spray the flowers when you water them every three days.  There's a foam piece that the bear is attached to, so all you need to do is separate the flowers on the top and squirt water into them. Please visit the website for exact care instructions.  The water goes into the foam piece to water everything.  I like that you don't have to water the flowers everyday, it's one less thing for me to remember! It's essential to remember to keep the arrangement away from the sun and heat, it prefers to be chilly.  If you follow these steps you'll have a long-lasting gorgeous arrangement to admire daily. 

The flowers are high quality, fresh and smell wonderful.  If you're looking for flowers that have a vivid and rich color, you've certainly come to the right place.  The orange, red, and yellow flowers are bold and gorgeous.  Right now the arrangement is on my kitchen table and I truly love looking at the bear.  It's such a fun change from a typical standard flower arrangement.

If you're looking for a flower arrangement that will wow your friends and family this holiday season, please consider Blooming Bears.  They will make you beary happy.



Thursday, September 11, 2014

Goodness Grayson Etsy Shop Review

As my due date draws closer, I've been spending more time getting everything ready for my daughter.    Her closet is filling up with clothes but I still need bibs, burp cloths, and other essentials.  Like I've mentioned before, I absolutely love personalized and monogrammed items.  They set baby items apart from others, plus who doesn't like having their names on things? I feel that every new baby should have as many personalized items as possible, it's simply a must!



Goodness Grayson is an Etsy shop ran by owner Jordan.  The shop specializes in handmade baby items that can be personalized with your baby's name or a phrase on request.  You can choose from burp cloths, onesies, bibs, and washcloths that come in a variety of styles, colors, and themes.  How about a burp cloth with your daughter's name and an owl on it, or maybe a whale bib with your son's name on it is more up your alley? Whatever you choose, it will be adorable.  The shop is open to custom requests if you want something different that's not already offered.  Jordan's handiwork is exceptional and of very high quality.  Anything from Goodness Grayson makes a perfect baby shower or new baby gift.

The shapes are hiding her name.  They won't tell the secret, even for $1,000.000.


I was sent a gorgeous set for my daughter containing a burp cloth, bib, and onesie.  Jordan picked the colors and theme for me so the end result would be a surprise.  I love surprises so this appealed to me.  I received the package very quickly and was delighted to find that she went with an owl theme.  How adorable! The sweet owl is perfect for a newborn baby. Everything came packaged together with a beautiful pink tulle bow. The bib had a chevron pink background featuring a multi-colored owl and my daughter's name on the bottom in script.  The onesie was white and had a salmon colored initial for her first name with her name in blue behind it.  Finally, the burp cloth featured the same owl and her name in beautiful pink script.  I absolutely love the set and it's very special to me that it's handmade. Anything homemade means much more to me than a store-bought item.

The stitching job was done well and there are no imperfections at all. I love the color combinations that Jordan chose, it's very girly which is perfect.  I can't wait to put her in the onesie, I know she'll just look adorable.  The bib and burp cloth will get a lot of use too once she is here.  It's a good thing that they are machine washable! I'm counting down until she's here, twelve weeks or less now!

If you're looking for fabulous personalized baby items, please surf on over to Goodness Grayson's Etsy Shop.  Jordan's waiting for your order now!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Goodness Grayson's Etsy Shop for the complimentary set in exchange for this review.  All thoughts are my own.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Let Fall Into Your Home with Febreze's Fall Home Harvest Collection #FebrezeFall

Fall is certainly upon us! The weather is cooling down here in southern Connecticut.  I have to say I'm sad to see summer go, but a break from the heat is always nice.  Some of my favorite things about Fall include pumpkin treats, Halloween, apple cider, crunching leaves, and cooler nights.  I also love making cooler-weather related dishes such as soups and of course baking lots of yummy treats.  What are your favorite things about Fall?

Febreze is a brand of household odor eliminator.  It was first introduced in 1998 and manufactured only as an odor eliminator. The line has since branched out to include air fresheners, fabric refreshers, oil plug-in's, scented discs, odor eliminating candles, and car air fresheners. The plug-in's and candles come in many fabulous scents perfect for the fall such as falling leaves, cranberry cider, and apple and spice.  If you're planning ahead for the winter, why not delight your nose with scents such as winter frost and glistening pine?  There are many other scents that work all year round.  Putting a Febreze candle or oil plug-in in your home will make it a warm and cozy haven for all.  



Since Fall is on everyone's mind, Febreze invited me to introduce fall into my home with an adorable barn-shaped Scentspiration box.  This fabulous box contained a vent clip for my car in the scent of toasted almond, as well as a Febreze Noticeables warmer.  The warmer came with two scents, autumn harvest and vanilla latte.  I immediately plugged the warmer into the wall and the delicious scent of autumn harvest wafted through my living room.  Who wouldn't want their house to smell like the definition of Fall at all times? It made me want to bake a pie and have company over right away for a large meal.  A wonderful feature of the warmer is that you can adjust the scent setting to be strong or powerful, depending on your preference. I've never had any scented products for my car before but I really liked how the toasted almond smelled.  Let's just say I'm enjoying my drive to work in the morning a lot more now! 


The box also contained notecards offering fun Fall home ideas inspired by their Harvest Collection scent.  Febreze wanted me to choose an activity that would help bring Fall into my home even more.  I flipped through the cards and really enjoyed reading each one.  The beautiful pictures really draw you in.  The activities ranged from making a spiced orange or owl almonds to making a lollipop bouquet or even creating your own coasters! Each activity was very diverse.  I'm a big fan of arts and crafts and baking, so most of these activities really appealed to me. All of the activities are family friendly, so go ahead and get the kids involved too!



The owl almonds really appealed to me and I ended up choosing that activity. Not only were the almonds adorable, but they were made with chocolate.  Everyone knows that I am crazy about chocolate.  I am no Martha Stewart but I thought my almonds turned out pretty cute. They were easy to do and of course my stomach appreciated them even more.  This would be a fun activity to do with my daughter in a few years when she's older.

If you're looking to welcome Fall into your home, Febreze's fall collection would make the perfect addition!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to SheSpeaks/Febreze for this sponsored campaign.  All thoughts are strictly my own.