SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, January 29, 2016

QVC Review

I have an unhealthy obsession with all kitchen items.  It doesn't matter if it's a muffin pan, a blender, or a spatula, I love everything equally.  I had more fun than most when creating my wedding registry. Seeing all of the kitchen items on my list made my eyes light up like the fourth of July!  I was truly like a kid in a candy store. Cooking and baking is something I truly enjoy, and I'm always on the lookout for the newest and hottest kitchenware.  Having quality kitchen products in your kitchen is a must-have.



QVC is a home shopping network that allows you to order anything you want from the comfort of your own home.  The best part about QVC is that you can shop in your pajamas on the couch any time of day or night.  Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel, it broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Japan, QVC Germany, and QVC Italy.  The name is an acronym standing for Quality, Value, and Convenience.  

QVC truly has everything you could possibly need for baby shower or new baby gifts, birthday and anniversary presents and everything in between.  Buy Dad that new blu-ray player he's been wanting for Valentine's Day, your sister a pair of warm fleece pajamas just because, and a new pots and pans set for Grandma's birthday.  Don't forget a new necklace or bracelet for Mom either for Valentine's Day either.  QVC always offers wonderful prices and flexible payment plans.  Feel free to treat yourself to something beautiful that you've had your eye on.

When I moved into my house two years ago, I was fortunate enough to have a recently renovated kitchen thanks to the previous owners.  There was so much cabinet and drawer space that I didn't own enough items to fill it! Overtime, I've had a ball buying beautiful items to fill the space.  Who wouldn't love doing that? 

When I stumbled across the Temp-tations Old Work Cook & Look 3 Piece Round Baker Set, I knew I had to have it.  My dishes are white, so all of my serving pieces are colored in order to give a pop of color when entertaining.  An awesome bonus about this Temp-tations set is that you can use it to compliment any of your other Temp-tations sets.  Combine everything to feature at your next dinner party, your guests will love it! 


How beautiful is this set? This 3 piece beauty includes a 1 qt round baker, 2 qt round baker, and a 3 qt round baker with lid.  It's offered in a wide range of colors to compliment any kitchen.  The painted old world pattern is gorgeous and I can't get enough of it. There's so much attention to detail all over the set, including the rim of the baker.  The fact that this set accommodates almost any recipe is so convenient.  The glass lid helps you to keep an eye on your dish's progress as it bakes to perfection.  

What I like most about the set is how versatile it is.  You can make anything in it from macaroni and cheese to baked pasta dishes and risotto.  The culinary possibilities are truly endless! The red color is bright and vivid and full of personality.  A convenient thing about this high-quality set is that it stacks and stores away easily when not in use.  Feel free to use the set in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and fridge/freezer.

I plan on making baked mac and cheese in the 2 qt round baker tonight for dinner.  I'm sure it will turn out wonderfully and I can't wait! I'm very happy with this set and look forward to using it for some time to come.

If you have a friend or relative with an upcoming birthday, they'll absolutely love this Temp-tations set to celebrate their special day with.  Keep the set in mind for wedding or housewarming gifts as well.  Who knows, maybe the recipient will even make you something in it to thank you for it! :)

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





Thursday, January 28, 2016

Landmark Preschool Review

Now that I have my own child, education is even more important to me than ever.  I want Scarlett to develop, grow, and thrive as much as she can.  Since she's only 13 months old, her brain is like a sponge and soaks everything up.  I encourage her to play as much as possible because children learn so much through play.  We have many educational toys at home that are designed to teach which Scarlett loves.  The best thing you can do as a parent is teach your child.  It's never too early or too late to have your little one learn.

Landmark Preschool is a premier independent day school serving children ages 1-5. Landmark has four campuses located in Bedford, NY,  and Redding, Westport, and Ridgefield CT.  Landmark's belief is that children benefit from a joyful introduction of learning.  Their curriculum consists of purposeful learning experiences to support social, emotional, cognitive, and physiological development.  Your child will thrive and enjoy learning while having fun too! 

A wonderful feature about the school is that the low student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to really get to know your child.  If you're in one of Landmark's locations, why not send your child to their one's program, or even two's program? Head on over to the website to potentially register for the near future.

I'm very lucky that I have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom.  With that advantage, I'm able to see all of Scarlett's milestones and developments which is very exciting.  I do feel like I can only teach her so much at home.  Our days consist of reading books, doing puzzles, and playing with educational toys.  Since I'm not a teacher and have no educational background, I'm limited with my resources for teaching.  I knew Scarlett needed to have a classroom learning environment to further her education and help her socialize.  I'm very thankful that Landmark gave us this opportunity.

Scarlett's first day of school in her Fun for Ones program was today.  Even though she's only 13 months old, that doesn't mean that school doesn't apply to her.  I told her in the days leading up to her first day that she'd be attending school.  She seemed excited and interested and I could only hope for the best.

What I like about Landmark is that their building is extremely secure.  Their building door is locked and you can only get in using a fingerprint scan.  This leaves one less worry for parents who drop their older kids off for school.

Scarlett and I walked in to her classroom and were immediately greeted by her teacher Miss Mia.  Mia was very excited to meet Scarlett and welcomed us warmly.  As we waited for the other kids to arrive, we were encouraged to have some free play.  Scarlett is never one to turn down playing with toys and welcomed the opportunity to play.  Since the children are so young, this is not a drop off program.  The two's program allows you to leave your children and pick them up at the end of the day.

The schedule of the class consists of free play, snack time, and educational songs and stories.  There's always a relevant craft related to the theme of the story.  
Waiting for class to start 

Mia started off the class with a welcome song after all of the kids helped clean up the toys. Cleaning up toys at home is something I encourage, so I like that it was reinforced at school.  It was so adorable to see all of the tiny little ones in a classroom together.  I couldn't take enough pictures!
Playing

A story was then read to the children about race cars and after that a special Landmark alphabet song.  We did snack time (Scarlett is the queen of snacks!) and then a craft of decorating a race car.  This was the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life and I'm so sad that I accidentally left the paper race car in the classroom.  Hopefully it'll be there next week so I can take it home and display it in Scarlett's room.  After the craft, it was more free play and time to go home.

Scarlett working on her race car craft.  Have you ever seen anything cuter? 


Snack time.  This event happens to be Scarlett's favorite time of the day.

Miss Mia is a ball of personality and energy and is very engaging.  I noticed that she would engage individually with all of the children in the class and gave them attention to make them feel included.  That's very important in building self-confidence. 

Scarlett had a wonderful first day and took an extra long nap when we got home! We really enjoyed the first day and look forward to the next 13 weeks.  I'm sure I'll see an improvement in her personality and social development from today versus the last class.  I can't wait for that!

If you're looking to enroll your child in Landmark, they are now accepting applications for their 2016-2017 school year.  Please head on over to their website for more information.

*DISCLOSURE* I received a complimentary admission in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  
Wednesday, January 27, 2016

All New Moms Need a Motorola Baby Monitor

When you have a new baby, it seems like all you do is check on them constantly to make sure they're okay.  New parents have so many worries and fears which is completely normal, it's their first time doing this.  When Scarlett was born I spent so much time watching the baby monitor to make sure she was breathing or moving.   When babies get older you'll watch them on the monitor and see them moving or rolling around which will calm your fears.  If you recently had a new baby, it's essential that you invest in a baby monitor.

Motorola baby monitors continue to be a leader in the industry with innovative features and technology you can trust.  If you're going to be welcoming a child in the next few months, or just looking for a new monitor I have the perfect pick for you.

Every home with children should include a Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor with Wi-Fi.  Not only is the unit remote and wireless, but the monitor offers a 4.3 inch color screen with touch controls on the parent unit.  The camera will stay securely on a dresser or bookshelf when placed in your child's room.  If you're away on vacation, you also have the option to view the camera through your computer, tablet, or smartphone with the compatible free Wi-Fi Hubble app. Your little one will love to see Mom or Dad when they're traveling! Thanks to the app, you'll be able to receive sound, temperature, and motion notifications so you'll always be in tune to what's going on.  That gives parents a big peace of mind.  

The best thing about this monitor is that it will grow with your child.  Feel free to leave it in your son or daughter's room for years.  You'll go from watching them play in their crib to playing by themselves in their room in such a short time.  They are only babies for so long!

Go ahead and make the smart choice of introducing a Motorola video monitor into your life.  Every parent deserves one less worry in life.

*DISCLOSURE* I received a product sample in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  

My Love of Desserts

Let's face it. My love for desserts knows no bounds.

If I see a plate of chocolate chip cookies, I will attack it. It is truly impossible to ignore those round circles of heaven. I've been known to eat my weight in cookies or brownies. My belly smiles when this happens.

The funny thing is, I really don't love ice cream that much. I am more of a cake, cookie, or brownie lady.

Chocolate is my weakness and I don't discriminate my love for chocolate. Whether it's a chocolate fudge brownie, of a piece of Boston cream pie, I will love it equally.

What are some of your favorite sweet treats? 

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Brownies Will Brighten Your Day

Let's talk about brownies for a second.

Brownies will brighten your day.  They will always be there for you and will always make your belly smile.   There's nothing quite like brownies.  

Peanut butter stuffed brownies 

Combine that rich and fudgy brownie with a coconut or peanut butter inside and you've got yourself a real treat.  

Don't forget that icy cold glass of milk to wash it down with.

Go ahead and have a brownie today.  Don't be shy.
Thursday, January 21, 2016

How I'm Going to Try to be Healthier in 2016-Guest Post



A lot of people have goals they’ve set themselves for 2016. Many of these are big things like climbing a mountain, writing a novel, or running a marathon. Mine is a little more common but no less important - to become healthier. Now, a lot of people have this on their list all the time, but it never seems to be straightforward.
I have always wanted to get healthier but never had the discipline to keep up with it. But this year all that is going to change, and I’m going to achieve my goals! I think that trying to observe a healthier lifestyle will make me much happier, and much better as a mother. So, take a look at these ideas I’ve come up with. These are all things I feel will help me to become more healthy on a regular basis.
Eat Better
I’m not going to lie; I could definitely stand to eat better a lot of the time. It’s just that cooking is sometimes the last thing I want to do. It’s so much easier to just get takeout, or pop a pizza in the oven for 20 minutes. But, I need to change my eating habits this year if I want to be healthier. And this means reassessing my diet and what I like to eat. I’m certainly going to try to get more fruit and veg in there, and make sure I have my five-a-day. I will start using natural sweeteners rather than sugar, and checking out healthy recipes online.
Feet_on_scale.jpg

Exercise More
To be honest with you, the thing I dread more than anything is exercising. This is, I guess, the thing that most of us struggle with, and is probably what puts us off being healthy! Exercise is a pain, but as they say, no pain no gain! So I’m going to welcome 2016 in by joining the local gym, and coming up with my own ‘at home’ exercise plan. I know I’m going to hate it, and it’s going to be a nightmare to begin with. But, by the end, I will be grateful and thankful that I did it!
Cut Out the Booze
Everyone likes a drink now and then, but alcohol can be very unhealthy for you. It makes you put on weight and can make you feel a little fuzzy in the morning. So I am reluctantly going to give up the booze for a few months to help get myself a bit healthier. Then I can hopefully ease back into drinking on an occasional basis. Many people don’t drink during the week and have it for weekends. And I do like the idea of doing this, but I don’t want to binge at weekends so we’ll have to see how I get on!
Get More Rest
As a mother, one thing I don’t get enough of is rest! And lack of rest can lead to one becoming run down and unhealthy. That’s why I’m going to try to become more healthy these days and get plenty of rest. This might mean taking it easy a bit, or having a few early nights, but if that’s the name of the game then so be it. I also might try to take my own nap time now and then!
If all goes according to plan, then 2016 is most certainly going to be MY year! I have a lot of goals and resolutions coming into this year, but certainly getting healthier is one I’ve had for a long while. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m going to try to follow all these things. They will help me to stay on the right path and experience good results.

Timex Giveaway

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it.  Have you thought about your plans for this special love-filled day? Whether you're having dinner out at your favorite restaurant or cooking dinner at home for your spouse, you can't forget about a gift for them.  Skip the requisite flowers, teddy bear or  chocolate this year and give them something that they'll absolutely love.  If you want to have a memorable Valentine's Day this year, let Timex help you with that.

Timex is your headquarters for all men and women's watches.  Whether you're looking for a gold or silver watch with a small or large face, Timex will be your go-to pick.  The timepieces come in a variety of colors and styles depending on your needs.  A silver watch with rhinestones on the face works well for work to play transition.  Timex is a trusted watch brand and their products are made with dedication and last for many years.  Why not treat your husband or wife to a fabulous watch this Valentine's Day?

In going with the Valentine's Day theme, who wouldn't want a beautiful pink watch to commemorate the occasion by? This sleek and modern Timex Ironman Essentials 30 watch features a clean sport design and countdown timer and alarm.  The built in INDIGLO nightlight will certainly come in handy at night or in dim lighting.  Any lady would be thrilled to display this lovely timepiece on her wrist.  You can't resist that whimsical bubble gum pink color either. 

If working out was part of your New Year's Resolutions goal, this watch would be ideal for you.  Take it to the gym and let it help you with your workout with the handy built in stop watch. If you've been looking for a new watch, this one is a great choice.

Let this watch bring a fun pop of color to your day everyday, no matter what.





Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Food Photography

I've recently developed a love of food photography.  Specifically, I love to take pictures of desserts.  It's so hard for me to resist taking a picture of a beautiful dish or dessert! Here are some recent pictures of food I've taken that I'm very proud of.  I want to continue to learn and develop my skills as I go.








Monday, January 18, 2016

Fun in The Sun in Florida

I mentioned recently that I bought a new camera about a month ago. Pictures are something that I've always loved to take, but I've been wanting a DSLR camera for some time now.   My Canon Rebel XS takes beautiful pictures and I can't be more pleased with it.

We walked to the beach this morning for breakfast and of course I had to take my camera with me.  There's too many photo opportunities along the way to leave it home.  Here are some shots I took during the walk.  I hope you enjoy!








Sunday, January 17, 2016

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies Recipe

Cookies warm the soul and make you smile.  There's nothing quite like a cookie, especially fresh out of the oven.

If you're looking for a satisfying cookie recipe to really make your belly smile, I have the perfect recipe for you.


I've been making these cookies for years, and I always get rave reviews.  The best part about this recipe is that you can truly make it your own.  Substitute coconut for pecans or even peanut butter if you want.  Whatever you put in the cookies, they'll come out perfect and delicious each and every time. 


The ingredients for this recipe are:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) of softened butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup of flaked coconut 

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375F.  Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture and then stir in chocolate chips and flaked coconut. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.


The cookie dough is beautiful.  Soft, golden brown dough mixed with large coconut flakes and chocolate chips.  What can be better? 


When your timer dings, you'll be left with the most scrumptious cookies your taste buds have ever enjoyed.  These round beauties are soft, moist, and full of fantastic flavor.  Coconut and chocolate are two classic flavors that can't be beat.






Make sure to enjoy a cookie or two.  If you're me, maybe even 3.  Don't forget to pair your sweet treat with a glass of icy cold milk.

*Recipe Courtesy of Nestle*





Saturday, January 16, 2016

Celebrate the Big Game This Year With Walmart and P&G #GameDayTraditions

It's here! Everyone's favorite time of year has arrived again, game day! Are you getting your menu ready? This special event wouldn't be complete without snacks and drinks to satisfy that appetite while you watch.  Sink your teeth into such eats as chicken wings, pizza, and spinach artichoke and flatbread.  Don't forget about such sweet treats like brownies and root beer floats either.  However you do game day this year, make sure you make your taste buds happy.


My husband and I hosted our first game day party two years ago.  I've been to game day parties for many years, so I had an idea of how to format my party.  We had 8 people over and I spent a few hours in the kitchen whipping up crowd-pleasing appetizers and treats.  You can't crowd around the television without food, it's practically a sin! This year, we're having people over again and I'm already planning my menu.

Since I have a toddler, it'll be harder to whip up things from scratch.  I'm thinking of ordering pizza with chicken wings, and serving some chips and salsa to go with it.  For dessert I'll make be making cookies.  My mouth is watering already as I think about it. I can't wait! Is it game day yet?


When you have a game day party, it's inevitable that you'll make messes when prepping food in the kitchen.  To effectively clean those messes, you'll need Bounty's Select-A-Size paper towels.  These durable paper towels effectively clean spills with their unique trap-& lock technology.  It's essential to have Bounty paper towels on hand during your game day party to quickly wipe up messes and spills. Things can get messy especially if you have dips or sauces.  To get stains out of clothing effectively post game, Tide's Spring Meadow pods work like a charm.  These square shaped gems offer a 6x better clean and are a 3-in-1 detergent, stain remover, and brightener.  You'll clothes will be as good as new afterwards.

You can guarantee that these beauties will be present at Game Day!

To get my home party ready, I always light pleasant smelling candles or have Febreze on hand.  Febreze eliminates tough odors rather than covering them up.  When my guests enter my home, they'll be met with a warm and inviting scent that they'll remember.  Plus who doesn't like their home to smell great?

Everything you need to keep game day traditions going can be found at Walmart.  Head on over there to get ingredients for your dips, entrees, or even baked goods! Don't forget Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels too.

*DISCLOSURE* This is a sponsored post on behalf of SheSpeaks and P&G.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 


Friday, January 15, 2016

Your Belly will Love Mini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Loaves

If you're thinking about sweet treats lately, why not combine the delicious flavor of banana and chocolate chip? This classic combo never disappoints and will make your belly happy time and time again.

The best part about these loaves is that they're mini! These tiny cuties are not only adorable, but perfect for breakfast too.  

To start, you'll need a mini loaf pan.  I found mine at Walmart, but you can probably find them at any major retailer.  The pan holds 4 mini loaves which is ideal for sharing, or freezing for later.  Sharing sweet treats is not my strong suit. :) 


Make sure you have ripe bananas on hand and lots of chocolate chips to make this an ultra-rich treat. 

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325F, and grease your mini loaf pan.  Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.Stir bananas, milk, and cinnamon in another bowl.  Beat butter and sugar in a third bowl until light and fluffy.  Add eggs to butter mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Stir banana mixture into butter mixture, and then stir in dry mixture until blended.  Fold in chocolate chips until just combined.  Pour into mini loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  This will be about 70 minutes.  Cool in the pan before removing to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.  

You'll be left with a fabulous mini chocolate chip banana bread that will be warm, moist, and just fabulous.  Pair it with a glass of icy cold milk or a mug of tea and you'll be enjoying a wonderful treat.

*This is not my original recipe, but I have altered it to make it my own.* 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Pizza Talk

Let's talk pizza.  

Everyone around the world is in love with the triangular beauty.  The best thing about pizza is how diverse it is.  Whether you like plain cheese or want your slice loaded with chicken and vegetables, there's certainly a pizza for you.  

What's your ultimate pizza? Lately, my husband and I have been interested in trying new toppings.  For years all I really liked was plain cheese.  I'm happy to have branched out and try new flavor profiles and tastes. We've come to discover that eggplant and ricotta is a fantastic pairing and utterly delicious.  Plain sausage or plain bacon is also high up on my list.  I believe the secret to a fabulous pizza is the crust.  I do enjoy thin crust, but I really prefer really thick and fluffy crust.  You can't beat a flavorful sauce, perfectly warm and melty cheese, abundant toppings, and a wonderful crust.  For years all I really liked was plain cheese.  In the 

Here's a plain cheese pizza my family had for dinner tonight.  Yes, it's plain.  It might not be as exciting as some pizza's I've had previously, but it's a classic choice that can't be beat. 

Hello my triangular beauty

When's the last time you indulged in a piece of pizza that made you say WOW? If you can't remember, it's time to fix that.


Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The Toddler Years

For the first 10 months of Scarlett's life, I was convinced I had an easy child. She would sit on the floor and be content to play independently for a short amount of time.  I never had to worry about her putting things in her mouth because she wasn't interested in that.   Even when she began crawling at 6 months and could access drawers and cabinets that were before unreachable, Scarlett really didn't have interest in them.  She would be content to crawl around the playroom and only reach for her toys.

Tiny and sweet baby Scarlett

One day, everything changed.  Right around 11 months, all hell broke loose.  Scarlett was pulling herself to stand for months, but near the one year mark she began to really notice her surroundings.  She would crawl over to cabinets or drawers, stand up, and open them.  Inside lay treasures that she had previously no interest in, but now they were all she wanted.  She couldn't resist DVD's, CD's, papers, notebooks, and so many other household objects that made her eyes light up.  The items would go flying across the room like Scarlett was a part of some sort of toddler frisbee team.  When we had to baby proof parts of the house, she would bang on the locked cabinets and scream.  I had one mad little girl on my hands! 

Don't be fooled by that face.  She's plotting her next move. 

Mealtime turned into a chaotic mess that made me cringe.  Scarlett would slam her hands down in a fit of maniacal laughter on the high chair tray and send the food flying.  My dog Lynnie won the food jackpot 3 times a day everyday. My kitchen floor looked reminiscent of Gallagher when he was done smashing watermelons.  

What happened to my sweet and innocent baby who used to just smile and cuddle with me? I was now presented with a new child who wanted to hit the dog in the face with my phone or TV remote, or pull her tail endlessly. Poor Lynnie knows she gets food from her which is the only reason she stands the abuse.

I thought the baby years were hard, but it looks like we're just getting started. Scarlett is now 13 months old.  She tests me on a daily basis and pushes the envelope as far as she can.  Just when I thought I had her personality figured out, she continues to surprise me.  Since I'm a stay at home mom, I get to enjoy the surprises on a daily basis whether they are negative or positive.

Before I was a mother, I never would have dreamed that daily life would include uttering such phrases as "please don't lick the window", or "don't drop my phone in the bathtub!" 

We've now entered the throwing stage.  Everything gets thrown whether you're ready for it or not.  It's normal to walk into my house at any time and see a pacifier or a toy whiz right by your face.  Make sure to duck! Tonight Scarlett celebrated bath time by throwing her pajamas into the water-filled tub.

Moments before this picture was taken, Scarlet threw her pajamas into the bath

 Even though the toddler years are trying and leave me exhausted on a daily basis, I wouldn't trade them for anything.  To see Scarlett grow and develop is priceless. I feel extremely lucky that I have the opportunity to stay at home with her and not a miss a second.  The hugs and kisses and smiles are worth everything. One day, the toddler years will be long gone.  



Now Accepting Sponsored Content

Sammi's Blog of Life is now accepting sponsored content.  Want to work with me? Read below for pricing.
Terms for Sponsored Posts/Infographics
Sponsored posts written by the sponsor must be a minimum of 300 words with at least one (1) copyright-free image. Sponsored posts may contain external links but must include at least one (1) internal link. No more than one (1) link per 100 words may be included.
Sponsored infographics written by the sponsor must be a minimum of 100-200 words.
The prices for sponsored posts of the minimum word-length begin at $200 for posts written by the sponsor. The fee goes up depending on the length of the post and the amount of links in it.   The sponsored post fee must be paid through PayPal prior to publication of the post. The sponsored post fee includes one social media share each on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  
Sponsored posts will remain published on Sammi's Blog of Life for a minimum of six (6) months.

Please contact me if you're interested in working together.  I can be reached at sammirichardson@yahoo.com.  I look forward to working with you.


Monday, January 11, 2016

Tommee Tippee Review

I care a lot about what goes into my daughter's body.  Scarlett drinks organic milk, eats food with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and consumes minimal sweets.  Every meal has a fruit or vegetable with it.  We opt for water over fruit juice at meal time, which is a smart choice in my opinion.  I want to make sure that the water that Scarlett drinks is always the cleanest and best quality.  Tommee Tippee shares my philosophy of clean water and for that I'm thankful.



Tommee Tippee is an internationally renowned baby product brand that offers bottles, breast pumps, pacifiers, sippy cups, and other baby feeding products.  I'm very familiar with the brand and have seen Tommee Tippee bottles in the store.  For whatever reason, I've never owned any of their products before.  The products grow with your child from infant and beyond, so Tommee Tippee will be there every step of the way.  All of Tommee Tippee's goods are BPA free to give parents everywhere one less thing to worry about.  How about giving a new mom or a mom-to-be a bottle set, a bottle warmer, or even a pacifier? Every new baby needs those things.  Keep Tommee Tippee in mind for all baby needs for present and future.

Now that Scarlett is 13 months old, she drinks water regularly.  For a few months she had no interest in it and it was a battle to get her to drink.  She smiles whenever she sees her sippy cup and as a mom that makes me happy.  I encourage her to drink water only.  She's only had juice 3 times in her life.  Water is the beverage of choice in our house.

When I found out that Tommee Tippe had come out with a water bottle with a built in filter, I thought it was a great product.

The 12M+ Filter Water Bottle is meant for babies over one year old who are shying away from a bottle with a nipple.  Choose from pink, purple, blue and green depending on your child's gender.  With each sip of water your little one has, the clever bottle filters the water reducing lead and removing 99% microbial cysts.  It also reduces the taste and smell of chlorine to ensure cleaner and tastier water that your child can enjoy everyday.



I'm lucky that Scarlett is very independent with sippy cups and water bottles. I never really had to show her how to use them to drink from, she taught herself.  I hand her the cup and she gets her drink on instantly.  We started using sippy cups around 9 months and what I've noticed was that some of them are extremely hard to drink from.  I try to drink from them myself and I struggle.  If I struggle, how can a small baby use them? Luckily, Tommee Tippee's cup did not pose this problem.



Scarlett's really been enjoying this water bottle and she's been drinking from it a lot.  It's easier for her to hold and not heavy at all when filled with water. She seems to have no issues drinking from it at all.  When I hand it to her she will drink for a good 10 seconds before putting it down, which is a lot.  Did you know that 1-3 year olds should drink an average of 32 ounces of fluid/water everyday to keep them healthy and hydrated? This bottle will really help with making that happen.  I love that the bottle is bright pink which is perfect for her because she's a real girly girl!

The size of the bottle is not too large and it fits easily in the diaper bag for on-the-go use.  What I love most about the bottle is that it filters out anything harmful or unsafe in the water.  When you need to clean it, just simply throw it in the dishwasher and it'll be ready for another round of water drinking in no time.

Thanks to Tommee Tippee I have one less worry as a mom and that really makes life easier.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Tommee Tippee for providing me with a product sample in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 
Saturday, January 9, 2016

Sweet Love Bakery Review

The world would be a very boring place without baked goods.  Sweet treats warm the soul and make everyone happy.  Can you imagine living day-to-day without cookies, brownies, or even cupcakes? It would be horrifying. There's nothing like indulging in a fresh out of the oven cookie, or a perfectly warm and moist brownie. It's heavenly! If you're looking to make your stomach happy, go ahead and have a chocolate or peanut butter cookie today.  Don't forget an icy cold glass of milk to go with it either.
Sweet Love Bakery is a bakery in Hollywood, Florida that specializes in vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free baked goods.  Stop in today to enjoy such treats as breads, donuts, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, waffles, and even pizzas! All of the products are made with organic ingredients so you can be sure you'll be eating nothing artificial.  Your stomach will love chocolate chip biscotti cookies, chocolate dipped almond macaroons, chocolate cupcakes, apple pie, cake pops, and of course mini donuts too! 

Looking to spice up your next party or social event? Keep Sweet Love Bakery in mind for custom cakes for birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, and work events.  They'll surely be a hit.  

I tried a sampling of goodies from the bakery and my sweet tooth was very happy.  Who can say no to baked goods? If you ever see me turn down any sweet treats, alert the local hospital.  Something is surely wrong with me! My belly was happy to try chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry mini cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, a chocolate lava cake, and a cheese pizza! 




The lava cake was hands down my favorite out of everything I tried.  With just one bite, I was in absolute heaven.  Who can resist a perfectly soft and moist cake bursting with sweet fudgy flavor? I loved it and was sad when I had eaten it all.  I need to start every day off with the chocolate lava cake. All chocoholics will be surely satisfied with this treat! Heat this in the microwave for 10 seconds and your taste buds will be dancing. 

The cupcakes had a great whipped frosting that was light and airy.  Their mini size is perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth but not feeling overly guilty with a full-sized cupcake.  I loved the strawberry cupcake best.  These cupcakes are as beautiful on the outside as they are inside your stomach too.  

If you're a fan of chocolate chip cookies, you'll go nuts for Sweet Love Bakery's mini chocolate cookies.  These round circles of heaven pack a sweet taste that you'll absolutely love.  Don't be fooled by the cookie's mini size, there's tons of chocolate chips in each and every bite.  I loved these and ate them all at once.  Who can resist chocolate cookies? Nobody, that's who.



I don't think that I've ever been to a bakery that also makes pizza, so that was unique.  The bakery offers pizza's in 10 and 16".  Since the pizza is gluten-free and vegan, it's not going to be your typical pizza that you get at a local pizza place.  It's going to taste different since it contains ingredients that are gluten-free and vegan.  I am always up for trying new things, so I was looking forward to this opportunity.  

The crust is crisp and hard, so if you're looking for a soft fluffy crust this wouldn't be your go-to pick.  The sauce had a nice flavor.  Even though I heated up the pizza, the cheese didn't fully melt on the pizza, but I think that's a characteristic of vegan cheese.  I enjoyed the chance to try something new, and if you're vegan you'll really enjoy it.  

When you envision gluten-free and vegan food, you automatically think that it lacks taste and quality.   With Sweet Love Bakery, this is certainly not the case.  Their treats will surely please you from morning till night.  Stop in today to place an order.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Sweet Love Bakery for providing me with complimentary samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.