SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, June 29, 2015

Pampers Recognizes Babies Around The World #BetterForBaby + Giveaway

I've only been a mom for six months now, but it has truly been the most rewarding experience of my life thus far.  Parenthood has its challenges, but the past six months has brought endless joy, smiles, and memories.  Having a a baby changes your life and makes you want to be a better person.  I want the world for my daughter and I'll do whatever it takes to be the best I can be for her.


Pampers recently unveiled its "Hush Little Baby Lullaby" campaign.  This program recognizes how babies have the ability to bring out the best in all of us, and we should try to be the best parent for them.  As part of this campaign, Pampers has unveiled a video that celebrates all the profound ways that babies change the world around them for the better- and has asked families to pledge how they will make life #BetterforBaby.  




This video is so beautiful and definitely worth the watch.  Don't forget the tissues! Since having my daughter in December, I try to be #BetterForBaby every day.  Besides just playing and having fun everyday, I read to her and try to educate her about the world around her.  Even though she's young, it's still important to interact with her and teach her.  It's never too early to teach your child about colors, letters, and numbers, among other things.  I look forward to watching my daughter grow and learn about the world around her.  There's no better gift than your child being healthy and thriving.  I'm also trying to exercise more so I'm around for as many years as possible for her. 

#BetterForBaby every single day.

Pampers is committed and dedicated to doing their small part on this earth. The brand donates millions of diapers each year to families in need through Feeding America, and have partnered with UNICEF to help eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus in 15 countries.  You can't get much better than that!

How do you make life #BetterforBaby? Whether you plan on exercising more or eating healthier, any small step to change goes a long way.  By tweeting a pledge, you can make your own individual promise of making a difference and making life #BetterforBaby.  Tweet your pledge to @Pampers by using #BetterforBaby. Also, don't forget to like them on Facebook to stay in the loop too. 

Join Pampers at their #BetterforBaby Twitter Party on Wednesday, July 8th from 9-10 PM EST as they discuss how to make life #BetterForBaby.  There are tons of awesome prizes up for grabs including diapers and wipes, a Baby Bullet, and even gift cards! RSVP here.  

If you're looking for even more contests, Double Duty Divas launched a contest on June 24th where anyone can tweet a #BetterforBaby pledge during the campaign using #Better4Baby and #B4BDivas along with a link to the video.  One lucky winner will win an Apple watch worth $400 when the contest ends on July 15th.  

One lucky winner will be able to receive their own #BetterForBaby prize pack featuring diapers, wipes, a Baby Bullet, and a gorgeous scarf.  

*DISCLOSURE* This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I received product free of charge, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Baby's Got Soul Review

Baby clothes are so hard for me to resist. I absolutely love buying clothes for Scarlett.  She has a closet full of the most adorable clothes that I had such pleasure buying.  How can you resist sparkly pink tutu's, ruffly dresses and tons of polka dots? Everyday is a fashion show with Scarlett and it makes me so happy.  Scarlett's closet has a lot in it, more than probably what's necessary.  You know what though, it's important to have options! Make everyday a fashionable one with your child.



Baby's Got Soul offers fun and unique onesies for your little ones to look their best in.  There are different categories that you can choose from including football teams, healthy living, positive thoughts, funky designs, custom designs and so much more.  How about putting your son in a onesie with your husband's favorite football team on it? Your daughter will love to wear a onesie sporting a fun phrase like be cheesy with a picture of a cheese wedge.  The onesies are quality made and hold up well in the wash.  If you're considering a baby gift for the present or future, keep Baby's Got Soul in mind for an untraditional gift.

Scarlett received two ridiculously cute onesies that she's a big fan of.  She was sent the Me Gusta Guacamole Onesie and the I Go Bananas for Bananas Onesie. Scarlett absolutely loves bananas and avocados, so these sentiments couldn't be more true.



This girl really loves her fruits and vegetables.  She can finish a whole jar of baby food in record time! Eating surely does come naturally for her.  We received the onesies in a 6-12m size.  Scarlett is almost 7 months, so they fit perfectly.  Since they will last her for another 6 months, she'll be able to wear these onesies from now until the end of the year.  Pair them with shorts and sandals in the summer, and jeans and a hoodie in the winter!

The onesie itself is a high quality cotton that is comfortable for Scarlett to wear.  Summers in the North East can be very hot, so I like that the material is thin and breathable.  The colors of the graphic are bold and vibrant and catch your eye.  Scarlett is a huge fun of bananas and they are one of her favorite fruits.  She's also very fond of avocados too.  I figured it was only appropriate for her to wear her favorite foods near and dear and close to her heart!

I can definitely see Scarlett wearing these onesies with cute gold sandals and shorts, or even sneakers too.  The fashion possibilities are endless with her, I swear! 

Scarlett and I are looking forward to wearing these onesies for the next few months.  She's very excited to show off her bananas and avocado clothes to everyone who's around her.  Who can blame her though?

If you're looking for a company that will give your little one's wardrobe a boost of pizazz and personality, Baby's Got Soul is waiting for you!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Baby's Got Soul for providing me with complimentary product in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  



Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Honey Maid Giveaway

I've been eating graham crackers for as far back as I can remember.  I recall using the honey ones to make s'mores at home as a kid, which still is one of my favorite desserts.  My flavor of choice of course has to be the chocolate, but cinnamon is also dear to me.  Graham Crackers are the perfect snack to share or enjoy by yourself.  If you don't currently have a box in your pantry, it's time to change it.  You owe it to your belly!



Honey Maid offers a variety of flavors of graham crackers that will instantly satisfy your belly and taste buds.  Sink your teeth into such crunchy rectangle flavors like cinnamon, chocolate, and honey. Teddy Grahams are perfect for on-the-go snacking as nobody can resist those adorable tasty bears.  In recent years, Honey Maid has introduced Grahamfuls in flavors like s'mores and peanut butter and chocolate.  I've tried both varieties and the snack surely made my taste buds sing.  Throw a few squares of the honey Graham Crackers into your purse, or pack some chocolate Teddy Grahams in your child's lunchbox for school.  Whatever way you do it, Honey Maid will be sure to satisfy.

Get ready to party and celebrate because there's a new bear that's joined the Teddy Grahams family! Your tummy will smile when it's introduced to Birthday Cake Teddy Grahams.  Everyone's favorite childhood snack is now infused with a delicious birthday cake flavor, filled with fun and colorful sprinkles. You won't be able to get enough of this fabulous flavor.  Everyday will surely be a party when you enjoy these yummies. I still buy Teddy Grahams to this day, they are just too darn good to pass up!

If everyone was as happy as that bear, life would be so much easier.  With sprinkles and a delicious birthday cake flavor, there's reason to celebrate every single day, whether it's your birthday or not! Go ahead and make your belly smile today with delicious birthday cake flavored Teddy Grahams.









Monday, June 22, 2015

Summer BBQ Essentials

Now that today is the first day of summer, let the BBQ's begin!



What are your must-have's at any BBQ?  I love grilled chicken bursting with flavors, sweet corn, and of course tons of pasta salad. 



It's also a must for juicy watermelon and a chocolate sweet treat or two. You can't forget plenty of potato chips either.

What are some of your favorite's? Sound off! 



Look who is now sitting up!

This girl now officially sits up on her own! What a milestone! Can't wait till she starts crawling and walking! Shouldn't be much longer. 
Thursday, June 18, 2015

Shoot The Lights Out With Abby Wambach! #LightABetterWay #AD

    The 2015 World Cup is here and US Women's National Soccer All-Star player, Abby Wambach, has partnered with Cree LED lighting to help spread the word about better lighting.  Whether you're taking pictures or playing a sport outdoors, good lighting is key. 
    Check out the video below showing Abby taking some far off shots at outdates, inefficient lighting.  


    This video is so impressive and it's worth everyone seeing it! 


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

HABA Review

Lately, I've been on a fake food kick.  I've been buying Scarlett playsets involving cooking or baking that come with fake food.  The sets are adorable and we both love them.  There's just something about fake food that makes you smile and of course want to eat it at the same time.  If your child doesn't have fake food in their toy box, it's time to get some.



Haba USA is a gold standard baby and children's brand that is loved by many. They have an eco-conscious approach that aims to increase children's happiness and facilitate development.  The brand creates wonderful toys and games that become cherished objects for children of all ages all over the world.  Choose from many types of toys including blocks, plush and wooden toys, puzzles, dolls, and so much more.  Not only are toys offered but backpacks and luggage are available too.  There's certainly many options to choose from that will delight any boy or girl.  If you have a child with an upcoming birthday, surprise them with wooden blocks or a magnetic game that will make them smile.  Keep Haba USA in mind for any of your future toy or game needs.

Scarlett was sent an adorable HABA Biofino Mixer Set for review.  Since her mom loves to bake all the time, I thought it would be appropriate for her to have her own mixer! What is Scarlett going to make in it you ask? Well, cupcakes and cookies for starters.  Her sweet tooth knows no bounds. ;)

The set features a wind up mixer with a real vibrating mixing sound, a mixing bowl, and crackable eggs with pretend eggs inside.  What more could you ask for in a mixer set? HABA's attention to detail is surely noticeable. If your child loves to help you in the kitchen and be like Mommy, this set is perfect for them.

Deciding on what to make.  Will it be cookies, brownies, or cake?

Cupcakes it is.  Stay tuned for my famous chocolate cupcakes!

Scarlett really enjoys playing with this set.  Even though she is young, it still holds her attention.  She is especially interested when I pull the string for the wind-up mixer.  There is a good 2 or 3 seconds of the mixer vibrating once you wind it up, which is nice.  The soft mixer is comfortable for little hands to hold and Scarlett can easily hold the beaters by herself.

The mixing bowl has a spacious interior to allow children to play with the eggs inside with ease.  I love the adorable multicolored circle pattern featured on the outside of the bowl.  Your eyes are drawn right to it.  The eggs are my favorite part.  They are so realistic and you can "crack" them open to find pretend eggs inside.  Too cute!

The eggs and mixer fit conveniently inside the bowl for easy storage when not in use.  Just put back in a toy storage bin or a toy chest and you're good to go.

I can definitely see Scarlett playing with this set for years to come.  The set is durable and meant to last.  What little girl doesn't like to help mom bake in the kitchen? In a few years she can use this alongside me while I bake.  I can't wait for that!

If you're looking to buy your child an adorable cooking or baking set, this is the one for you.  Why not surf onto HABA's website today?

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to HABA for providing us with a complimentary product in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 




Monday, June 15, 2015

Making Your Own Baby Food

As every mother knows, baby food is expensive.  Even the small jars cost .69 at your grocery store.  Sixty-nine cents might not seem like a lot, but if your baby eats 3 times a day, that certainly adds up.  Scarlett started eating solids at exactly 20 weeks, she's now 27 weeks as of tomorrow.  

When we first started solids, I was using jarred food to get Scarlett used to it.  The rule of thumb is to introduce a new food and wait 3 days before introducing a new one, so you can make sure baby has no reaction to it.  

The first food we ever tried was green beans.  Scarlett hysterically cried because she had no idea what to do at first, then she became a pro at eating and was shoving the spoon into her mouth.  She couldn't get enough of it.  
First time ever trying solid foods.  What a mess!

Not long after, I started using the Baby Bullet that my sister-in-law gave me for a baby shower gift.  It's very easy to use and you can make your own baby food and save so much money.  Two apples and one banana make 5 meals.  You can feed baby essentially 5 times for under $1.


Making the purees is so simple.  You can make any combination you want.  I make apples and bananas, carrots and spinach, and most recently I made banana and avocados.  I only use organic items.  The only baby food Scarlett doesn't like so far is peas.  If I mix them with other fruits and veggies, she will eat it.  Cut up the fruit or veggies after peeling them and put them into a steamer.  I don't have a steamer, so I use a metal colander over a bowl of water.  Once the water boils, turn the heat down to low and put a pot cover over the colander.  It works just as well as a regular steamer! I stir the food around and steam for about 10 minutes. 

After the pieces cool, you put them into the Baby Bullet with 1/4 cup of water and blend until smooth.  You can use your own storage containers or the ones that the Bullet comes with, although they only give you so many.  I recently bought my own BPA free storage containers so I can make bigger batches at once since Scarlett eats solid meals 3x a day now. She's a great eater and loves meal time.

You'll feel happy knowing that your child is eating only the fruit or vegetable with no added ingredients or anything artificial.  You'll be able to save so much money too!




Sunday, June 14, 2015

Scarlett 6 Month Update

Little Scarlett Wubbies is now 6 months old!



-She's very into toys and loves to laugh, play and smile.  She has more toys than she knows what to do with.  

-She wears 6 month clothes and also 6-9 months.  Her summer clothes are adorable and I'm so glad she's able to wear them now.  Dresses and rompers galore!

-I put her on a new schedule where she has a bottle at 6:30 AM, (nap in-between bottle and breakfast) breakfast of pureed fruit at 9:30, lunch and a bottle at 12:30, nap from 1-3, dinner at 5:30, and then bath, bottle, and bed at 7 pm.  The schedule is working out wonderfully and she's sleeping more than ever now (even when she was a newborn) because she's much fuller from eating more.  I make her purees myself and she loves it.  Her new favorite lately is a banana and avocado puree.  She's a wonderful eater and is always excited at meal times.



-Scarlett and Lynnie continue to be best friends and love and cuddle with each other daily.

-I'm pretty sure she's going to start crawling soon.  She's scooting everywhere and is so active and constantly rolling over.  I always find her on her stomach in the crib when I put her on her back.

-We're going on a road trip this month and it'll be Scarlett's first one.  Hope she can handle many hours in the car!



-Scarlett and I spend all day together just playing and playing.  We both love it!

-She's almost sitting up.  We're getting there.  It shouldn't be much longer.

-I try to make our weeks busy and full of activities.  We go to story time, playgroups, and this week we'll be going to the zoo with some friends. We've been to many new places recently including the children's museum and the nature center.  She loved both.

-Hopefully Scarlett will be standing by the end of the summer! Can't wait for everything else this year brings including Halloween, her birthday and the holidays! So much fun is coming.


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Learning Resources Review

Even though Scarlett is only 6 months old, that doesn't mean she has to only play with true baby toys.  I allow her to play with toys meant for her own age up to 3 years old.  It's good for her to be exposed to numbers, letters, and sounds among other things.  A rattle or crinkly toy can only do so much for her developing brain.  I feel that the more your child is exposed to at a young age, the better.  Educating your child is the best thing you can do for them.  Go ahead and let your child learn while having fun too.



Learning Resources is a leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms worldwide and learning toys.  Teachers will be delighted to use tools from Learning Resources to help teach subjects in math like fractions and counting money.  There are also many other fun resources available for helping to teach phonics, reading, and science.  Students will be able to enjoy themselves while learning the classroom skills they need.  That's certainly a win-win.  Homeschooling parents will be able to bring the fun to their own home in helping their children learn too.  There's certainly something for each child to love at Learning Resources.  Please keep them in mind for all of your educational needs now and in the future.

One brand that Learning Resources carries that I really love is New Sprouts.  New Sprouts carries ridiculously adorable fake food sets that your little ones will go nuts over.  Who doesn't love a fake waffle set, a fake wok with vegetables and tongs, and a baking set complete with fake cookies? The pretend food is high quality and looks so realistic.  I don't know when or where it started but my obsession with pretend food has grown and grown.  My friends have even jumped on the pretend food bandwagon and gotten sets for their children.

I knew mine and Scarlett's life would not be complete without owning the Waffle Time and Cookout sets.  I'm sorry but you can't go on living until you're holding a fake waffle maker with pretend waffles inside! Trust me, once you own both of these sets your life will have meaning and purpose again.
Everyday calls for a waffle party!

The waffle set comes with two butters, two forks, two plates, two strawberries, the waffle iron, a bottle of syrup, and four waffle pieces.  Waffle party anyone? The only thing that's missing is Nutella to put on the waffles, yum! Learning Resources's attention to detail on this set is noticeable.  They thought of everything, including a bottle of syrup! 


I absolutely love this set.  The colors are bright and vivid and the food is large and easy to grab.  The food is rubbery and extremely durable.  Some fake food is very flimsy and small, this is certainly not.  The quality is simply outstanding.  It looks so realistic and makes you want to eat the waffles, although they certainly would not taste as good as the real thing! 

Scarlett went right for the butter when I put her in front of the set.  She says give me the good stuff! The waffles are easy for her to reach out and grab and she enjoys holding them.  I can't wait until she can have real waffles, I know she'll love them.  We've been having fun having pretend waffle parties and she requested way too much syrup for my liking.  I had to tone it down for her. ;).  As Scarlett plays, I tell her the name of what each item is.  I know she's processing everything at this age, so it's important for her to know.   The waffle iron is adorable and is easy to open and close.  Scarlett has already made so many batches of waffles with her mom! It would be really great if the iron made sizzling noises to signify cooking as you put the lid down.  

The cookout set is also too cute.  It comes with a caddy for the ketchup and mustard bottles, an ice cream sandwich, two forks, two cups, two plates, two hotdogs, chips, a mini corn on the cob, lettuce, tomato, and carrot.


The essentials for any good BBQ!

When Scarlett and I had our cookout, the first thing she reached for the was the ice cream sandwich.  She's just like her mom, she loves sweets! Like at any BBQ, there are chips, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.  You can't forget the icy cold cups of lemonade either! Scarlett requested lots of ketchup on her hot dog.


The hot dog and chips look so delicious, it makes me wish I was invited to a BBQ this weekend! Too bad I'm not.  At the end of any BBQ, you look forward to a cool and creamy treat.  That ice cream sandwich certainly would curb anyone's sweet tooth.

We've been having so much fun with these playsets and I know Scarlett will enjoy them for years to come.  I look forward to purchasing her more in the future.  Maybe for her birthday in December? Who knows!

I'm in fake food paradise!

Any child would be delighted to receive any fun play food set for their birthday, or just as a fun surprise.  Why not make your child happy today?

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Learning Resources for providing me with complimentary product in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  




Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Zutano Review and Giveaway

Dressing up a little girl is so much fun.  Everyday is a fashion show in our house when I get Scarlett dressed for the day.  It's so hard to resist buying everything girly, including pink sparkly dresses paired with the cutest shoes and of course tons of bows! Scarlett's closet has a lot in it, more than probably what's necessary.  You know what though, it's important to have options! Make everyday a fashionable one with your child.

Zutano offers adorable clothing for newborns, babies, and toddlers.  You'll love dressing up your son in such fun choices like a shirt with cars or animals on it and matching shorts. Your daughter will look great in a cute top with flowers on it or a colorful romper.  Don't forget the matching headband or bow to go in her hair!  The clothes are stylish, long-lasting and most of all affordable.  The clothes also make the perfect baby shower or new baby gifts too.  Keep Zutano in mind for all of your baby clothes needs in the present or future.

Scarlett was born in the winter so this summer is the first opportunity she's had to experience heat and very hot days.  Of course I bought a ton of summer clothes for her during my pregnancy.  I'm very lucky that she's wearing the size clothes according to her age.  I just don't know what I would have done if all of the adorable clothes were too small for her.  Luckily, I don't have that problem.

There's nothing that looks cuter on little girls than dresses and rompers with bright colors or flowers on them.  When I came across Zutano, I loved everything that they offered.  I wish it was possible to transfer everything on their website into Scarlett's closet.  Can someone let me know when that could possible?

Zutano was kind enough to send Scarlett 2 adorable outfits and a matching hat.  She received the Violetta Baby Ruffle Bubble, Hot Pink Candy Stripe Baby Bloomers, Orchid Baby Sunhat, and a Garden Grow Baby Screen Swing Tee. Everything received was too cute for words and I had to put Scarlett in the items right away.

Just hangin out'.  And no, you cannot borrow my outfit. 

The Violetta Baby Ruffle Bubble is 6 months which is the size Scarlett is currently wearing.  It fits perfectly, it's not too big or too small.  The ruffle on the top is so cute and I love the beautiful flower print  featured all over.  There's also a few ruffles on the back too which is so adorable.  I noticed that the colors are bright and vivid and catch your attention right away.  What's great about rompers is that they make diaper changes so easy and convenient! The snaps on the bottom close and open with ease.  Northeast summers are very hot and this romper would be perfect for a day of playing outside.  Scarlett is a girly girl and this outfit is right up her alley.  Scarlett will be pairing the romper with white or pink sandals for a look that can't be beat.

The sunhat matches perfectly and will keep her protected from the hot sun when we're outdoors.  Some hats are too big for her and swallow her whole head, but this one is a perfect size and fits well.  Since I don't know how much longer the romper will be able to fit her since it fits so well now, she'll be in it a lot this summer.  I'm very satisfied with the outfit and am so glad it's now in Scarlett's closet.

I'd like to plant some flowers.  Can you help me start my own garden? 

I thought at first these bloomers were meant to go with the shirt.  Not long after, I discovered that the bloomers are really a diaper cover and meant to go under dresses.  Oops! They still look cute with the shirt though.  The bloomers fit well and I love how the leg holes are ruffly.  You can't go wrong with pink and white stripes either.

Scarlett's signature color is pink.  She owns many pink pieces in her closet and she can't get enough of the color.  Of course she was delighted to receive another pink shirt to add to the mix.  The garden scene is adorable and perfect for summer.  The graphic is high quality and the colors are bold and bright. 

The shirt fits great and would look fantastic paired with shorts, a skirt, capri's, or even jeans. When you're Scarlett, the fashion world is your oyster.  I'd also like to put her in white sandals too.  She'll be the best dressed baby at the playground.  I'm happy with this shirt too and know that she'll be wearing it for some time to come.

I'm very satisfied with Zutano's clothing and look forward to ordering from them in the future.  Your little one needs at least one piece of clothing from Zutano in their closet.  Why not order some today?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Huggies Snug & Dry Ultra Diapers #UltraHug Selfie for your Community #ad #spon



Your community is the place where you live, work, and raise your family.  It's important to take care of it so it's there for future generations.

Huggies wants to donate $2,000 to improve an area of your community that needs a helping hand.  Whether you have a park that needs a new playground and landscaping, or a church that needs a new roof, Huggies wants to help.



Get on Twitter and Instagram from now until June 25th and take a selfie of you and your little one.  Don't forget to use the hashtag #UltraHug too! Huggies is always there for you!

We have a body of water in my town that needs to be severely cleaned up.  There is garbage and dead animals in it, among other bacteria and fungi.  There was an article in my local newspaper today about how the water is in need of cleaning and treatment.  A grant from Huggies would do wonders in helping to clean and purify the water.

Why not submit your community project today? Huggies is waiting to hear from you!
Sunday, June 7, 2015

Netflix #StreamTeam Alert June 2015: Reboot Your Throwback

One of the best parts about being a parent is the opportunity to relive your childhood through your children's eyes.  Seeing how your child reacts to birthdays, holidays, and all the firsts of life is magical.  I can't wait to experience everything (again) first hand as Scarlett grows up.



While Scarlett is only 6 months old, we're a long time away from her being able to sit through a show and actually understand it.  When that day comes, it will be so fun for the both of us.  I grew up watching Nickelodeon and its classic cartoons like Rocko's Modern Life, Rugrats, and Doug.  There's no telling what children's television shows will be like in the coming years, but I want to make sure she's exposed to what her mother grew up on.  I'd also like for her to know such throwbacks as Carebears and Scooby Doo as well.



When she's a lot older, I'd love to show her reruns of my favorite sitcoms like Roseanne and Married with Children.  Scarlett hung out with me in bed the other day and watched Roseanne, but of course couldn't process it.  I know she'll love it when she's older!

My husband is most looking forward to passing on his childhood love of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Aladdin to his daughter.  I'm sure there's others he'll want her to watch when the time comes too.

There's nothing like connecting with your child on shows that hold a special place in your heart.  I can't imagine Scarlett any older then she is now, so it's hard for me to process that one day she will want to watch TV! 

What are some retro favorites that you look forward to passing onto your children? 

*DISCLOSURE* This post required as a Stream Team Member.  All thoughts are strictly my own.
Saturday, June 6, 2015

Little Secrets Review

Chocolate holds a dear place in my heart, and there's nothing quite like it.  I like to eat chocolate only on days that end in Y.  I have a sweet tooth that knows no bounds.  I've been to known to attack a plate of chocolate chip cookies or brownies with great speed.  I can't help it though, the cookies needed to move into their new home in my stomach.  My philosophy is that everyone should indulge in chocolate on a daily basis.  I don't discriminate towards the sweet treat in any form.  I love brownies, cupcakes, cookies, and chocolate candy equally.  Go ahead and have a big slice of chocolate cake today.



Little Secrets offers delicious premium chocolates that will make your taste buds and belly smile.  Indulge in flavors like smooth milk chocolate, dark chocolate with peanut butter, dark chocolate, and dark chocolate with raspberry.  The best part is that there are no artificial ingredients, flavors, or corn syrup.  The candies are made with the best ingredients on earth to create the most delicious and delectable chocolate candies known to mankind.  Keep a bag in your desk drawer at work for a quick mid-day pick-me-up.  

Candy is always on my agenda.  It's very hard for me to go a day without indulging in the sweet stuff.  My dentist probably would not be thrilled to hear this, but it's true! When I had the opportunity to try the goodies offered from Little Secrets I of course jumped at the chance.


It's safe to say that these candies stand no chance against me.  I have little to no self-control when it comes to chocolate.  I instantly tore into the candies like my life depended on it. These bite-sized beauties are perfect for grabbing a handful and tossing them in your mouth.  Be careful though, they are very addictive.

Everyone loves peanut butter and dark chocolate!  The slightly bitter dark chocolate paired with the creamy peanut butter was like heaven for my mouth! Who can resist the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate? I know I can't.

The solid milk chocolate was like meeting an old friend.  The safe, reliable flavor put an instant smile on my face.  With each piece of candy I ate I fell more and more in love. We're currently planning our wedding!

The raspberry dark chocolate wasn't one of my favorites.  I'm not a big fan of fruit paired with chocolate, but I know many who are.  Plenty can appreciate this flavor.

Lastly, the dark chocolate was a big hit too.  Pair a few candies with a glass of hot tea, wine, or even milk and you're in for a real treat.  The candy was bitter, but not overly bitter.  I really enjoyed the flavor and ate way more candies than I should have.  

The best part about enjoying these candies is that they are made with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.  There's no unwanted dyes that are harmful, just straight up chocolate goodness for your belly to go nuts for.

If you're looking for a fabulous candy brand that will make your tastebuds dance and smile, I highly recommend Little Secrets.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Little Secrets for providing me with complimentary product in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Equipt Baby Review

Having a baby requires so much more than diapers, wipes, and clothes.  Your little one needs a secure and safe place to sleep all the time.  If you're traveling, it's not always feasible to bring a pack and play with you especially if you have little space for it.  Your baby can't sleep in the stroller or car seat either, so what do you do? Equipt Baby is here to make one less worry go away for new parents.



Equipt Baby is a portable bassinet that fully expands in two seconds with one hand.  Forget lugging a pack and play or cosleeper to Grandma's house, this saves so much time and space.  The portable bassinet features all-around mesh screen window to easily keep an eye on baby.  The included pad insert is lightweight and machine washable for convenience.  A newborn baby sleeps all the time and this would be great to bring to the park, the beach, or even a friend's house so baby can snooze soundly and comfortably.  

Although Scarlett isn't a newborn anymore, she does still take plenty of naps.  She is almost 6 months old and takes 2-3 naps a day everyday.  I usually blog from my laptop on my couch in my living room, but it can get frustrating when I have to run up and down the stairs to tend to her crying in her crib.  I don't have a portable crib in my living room, so Scarlett has to sleep in her crib in her room.  It would have made my life so much easier in her first few weeks and months of life if I had an Equipt Baby portable bassinet! I remember the stress of having a screaming baby who was tired but had no where to sleep when we were on-the-go.  The Equipt portable bassinet would have made life so much easier back then. 

Just hangin' out!

I know that this bassinet is for smaller babies, but Scarlett does fit in here at almost 6 months old.  She still sleeps on her back and doesn't roll over during sleep so it works.  I set it up in my living room and she enjoys hanging out in there and playing with her toys, when she's not napping.  It's almost like a little fort for her! It makes blogging so much easier too.  I know she's safe and contained in the bassinet and I can see her too.  This mom really appreciates the peace of mind of not worrying. The product is well made and durable. Scarlett will soon outgrow it but I am enjoying it while we can use it.  For a new baby, they would be able to use it for months to come.  The pad inside is comfortable and thick too. 


The best part about this light-weight bassinet is that it folds up for easy storage.  Throw it in your trunk or carry-on bag for traveling.  When you're not using it, just simply store it in your garage or closet.  The machine washable pad is convenient if baby has a diaper leak or spits up.  I feel that every new mom needs to have the Equipt portable bassinet for their little one.  It makes an excellent baby shower or new baby gift!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Equipt Baby for providing me with a complimentary product in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Summer Pasta Salads

Summer is on the horizon! Temps are heating up and it's time to break out those icy cold salads to beat the heat.

One of my favorite things to make during the hotter months of the year is pasta salad.  I make this for my husband and I for a quick lunch, but it also makes the perfect side dish for a BBQ too!

The best thing about pasta salad is that you can make it in so many ways.  Throw in diced turkey, steak, chicken, etc.  Don't forget the veggies and cheese too! Bowtie pasta works well too. 



I make pasta salad using tri-colored spiral pasta, broccoli, red and green peppers, and cubed Cheddar cheese. I top it with Italian dressing and mix well.  The flavors pair so well together and it's always a crowd-pleasing dish.

What's your favorite way to make a pasta salad?