SOCIAL MEDIA

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

We're Moving!

My husband and I are currently in the process of listing our home for sale!

We currently live in a 1,500 square foot townhouse that is getting smaller by the day.  When we first moved in, it felt so large! I was four months pregnant and we had a lot less than we have now.  Our upstairs loft was empty but has since been transformed into a playroom that would make Toys R Us proud.  The lack of storage and closet space seems to make things more frustrating.  



Scarlett is older now and I know would really enjoy a true suburban home with a driveway and a fenced-in backyard to play in.  Who knows, maybe we'll even have room for a hammock too! On the flip side, I would love a bigger home that we can really spread out in.  We're working with a great realtor who I hope can help us find the home of our dreams!

The process is moving very fast and I'm sure we'll be packing boxes before we know it.  It is an exciting time but bittersweet at the same time.  Scarlett was born in this house and it's the only house she's ever known.  We have a lot of memories here and it will be strange to leave! We haven't explained to her what's going on since she's so young.  We will eventually have to fill her in and see what her thoughts are when we go to see houses that interest us.

I've already started the decluttering process which can be incredibly time consuming.  Anything to make the packing easier is welcomed by me!

Wish us luck, we may be in our new house in a matter of weeks!


Saturday, January 27, 2018

A Stay-At-Home-Mom's Idea of a Day Off

I've now been a stay at home mom for over three years.  In those three years, my world went from diaper changes, crying, and constant bottles to solid foods, walking, and talking.  In between, I was my child's advocate and first teacher in life.  Now at 3 years old, Scarlett is her own person and has many opinions on the A-Z's of daily life.


Scarlett goes to school three days a week for three hours per day. It's nice to have the 9 hours a week to myself to relax and do what I want for the 180 minutes each day.  I'll either prep dinner, do some light cleaning or just sit back on the couch and enjoy doing nothing.  My days do heavily revolve around taking care of my tiny tot so whenever I can get a spare moment for myself, I like to take advantage.

Earlier tonight I was thinking about what I would do if I had the entire day to myself.   I've never had that much time away from Scarlett and I would surely miss her a lot!  Let's say for example my husband took her to my mother in law's house for the day.  It would be strange to not have her around, but I think I would take full advantage since it would be a rare treat.  

This is an idea of how I'd want my day to go:

In the morning I would wake up at whatever time I felt like it.  I'd make myself some eggs and toast for breakfast while browsing Facebook uninterrupted.  After that, I'd probably do some cleaning and vacuuming to keep my home in order.  If a load of laundry needed to be thrown in, I'd probably do that too.

Next, I'd take a shower and get ready for the day.  I would go to the nail salon and get a manicure and pedicure and then get some lunch after.  I would call in to check on Scarlett and my husband Jay to see what they're up to.  After that, I'd probably head to Target or Walmart and do some shopping and of course pick up a toy or a snack Scarlett likes because I'd be missing her.  

Once I was done with Target or Walmart, I'd drive home while thinking about how I miss my husband and daughter and how it's weird to have so much time to myself.  Even though I enjoy the freedom, I still miss them a lot! 

I'd get home and take a care-free nap and wake up well rested.  Once my snooze fest was over, I'd watch some TV while waiting for Jay and Scarlett to get home.  I would feel refreshed and ready to take on being a parent again since I had such a nice amount of time to myself.  I'd give them both a big hug and thank them for the time alone.  

What would you like to do if you had the chance to not be a parent for a day? 


Friday, January 26, 2018

How Does Riding Gear Protect You in Case of A Crash?

You know that riding a bike is dangerous, but it doesn’t really hit you until the first sign of trouble. The first time you take a spill, or a car nearly smashes you into a wall, you realize how important it is to have the right motorcycle protective gear. Just wearing any old equipment isn’t enough; riders need top-of-the-line protection that’s in good condition. 

Starting at the Top

The helmet is the most important part of your safety arsenal. Accidents often end with your head protection taking most of the impact, which is preventing that force from going directly into your head. Helmets are built similarly to a modern car bumper. It consists of a tough outer shell with energy-absorbing inner layers. Helmets should meet DOT standards at the very least, with ECE- and Snell-approved helmets preferred by some. Fit is important, motorcycle helmets for women and men should be snug, but not tight.



Armoring Your Body

The jackets and pants you wear while riding are all that’s between your skin and blood-thirsty asphalt. Your choice is between ultra-durable fabrics and armor or the same stuff they use to make cotton balls. According to the abrasion-measuring Taber test, ballistic nylon and leather are four and 10 times tougher than denim respectively. Recreation riders can wear dedicated biker gear while commuters can easily have normal clothes under an all weather motorcycle jacket and overpants. Armor can consist of rigid plastic or reactive viscoelastic that’s pliable at rest but stiffens at impact.

Protecting Your Legs

The frequency of lower leg and foot injuries speaks to the lack of protective boots among many riders. Even a minor foot injury can leave you hobbling around for weeks. Boots should include features such as tough materials, armor, steel-plating, and internal ankle protection to maximize your chances of avoiding injury.

The Best Place for Riding Gear

For a wide range of protective equipment from manufacturers that include Arai, Fly, and HJC, visit BikeBandit.com. Not only can you find exceptional gear, you get it for the lowest price guaranteed. 

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Keep Warm With Therapedic International's Silky Plush Warming Blankets

Here in New England, we've had record low temperatures lately.  When it's 2 or 3 degrees outside you don't want to do anything but stay inside and keep warm.  The heat has been raised to a higher degree than we're used to and I've been making a lot of soups, stews, and hot chocolate.  I can't say that winter is my favorite season! It's essential to keep warm and comfortable with bone chilling temps!



Therapedic International offers fabulous bedding products to keep you comfortable and happy.  If your bed is in need of a makeover, they can help with pillows, sheet sets, mattress pads, toppers, and even mattresses for any bed size.  Since we're in the throws of winter, I can't help but be drawn to their heated products to keep you toasty warm.  Everyone can benefit from a heated wrap, silky plush heated throw blankets, and even a heated mattress pad.  These items would certainly make a great gift for yourself or a loved one.

After Scarlett's gone to bed and I'm finished with my housework for the night, there's nothing I enjoy more than laying in bed watching TV.  What can be better than being warm and cozy while watching something entertaining? My comfort factor has been turned up a notch thanks to Therapedic's Silky Plush Warming Blanket.


Just like it's name, this cozy blanket is truly silky and comes in a range of three colors for a twin, queen, full or king sized bed.  You'll honestly question how you never had this oasis of comfort on your bed previously.  I can guarantee you'll be sleeping in heated bliss every night.   The blanket features pre-heat technology that warms your bed quickly and dual zone control for personalized comfort.  Its programmable digital controller sets your desired temp and time that fits your needs most.

I was sent a blanket in a queen size, which fits perfectly on my bed.  We turn down the temps at night upstairs and I seem to always be chilly until I can get under the covers and warm up.  Sometimes my husband is hot when I'm cold and vice versa, so it's really convenient to be able to set the desired temperature we want for both of us.  The heating blanket will keep you warm and also save money on your heating bill if you turn the thermostat down.  It's a win-win!


I love how silky and comfortable the blanket is for cuddling up with at night.  Scarlett and Lynnie enjoy the blanket too and have been cozying up with it.  The warming feature is very nice although on the hottest setting it's not extremely hot.  I do wish it got a little bit hotter, but it only warms, not heats.  The digital controller is easy to use and I like a higher temperature than my husband does.  Simply plug the controller plug into the outlet on each side of the blanket and you're good to go.  Having the ability to have two people have two different temperatures is really fantastic.  You can set the temperature from 1-9, and after 9 is H which is the warmest.  The blanket heats up instantly.


When you're not using it, simply fold it and keep it on the end of your bed to use it whenever the mood strikes.  If you choose to use it on the couch, it would be perfect for a family to cuddle up with while having a movie night.


It's very nice to have this to keep us warm throughout the rest of the winter and beyond.  Surely, I'll look forward to having this blanket to use for many winters to come!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Therapedic International for providing a product sample to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 



5 Reasons You Should Hire Professional Exterminators If Bugs Keep Coming Back




All pests are hard to get rid of, but some are more tenacious than others. If you have tried to exterminate a pest yourself, or have even hired an exterminator only to see the bugs return, it is time to call one of the best pest control companies in the business. Here are five reasons to call Terminix if you are facing re-infestation: 




1. Sometimes You Need a Professional: Some pests are harder to exterminate than others. For instance, bed bugs are known to be particularly resolute. If you are dealing with bed bugs, Terminix can send over the best bed bug exterminator to help you sleep without being bitten. 

2. Not all Pests are the Same: Not all pests will respond the same way to a certain pesticide or extermination method. Terminix professionals tailor their extermination methods depending on the type of insect or animal that has infested your home.

3. Years of Experience: Terminix has been in the pest control business for nearly a century and has been recognized as one of the top pest control companies nationwide. If the bugs have returned, they may need to have special treatments and Terminix professionals know what it will take to make your home permanently bug free. 

4. A Satisfaction Guarantee: Terminix professionals pride themselves in their service. If the bugs return, your Terminix professional will revisit your home free of charge to make sure that the pests are handled.
5. Home Protection: In addition to pest control, Terminix offers a variety of options for protecting your home against future infestation. For instance, Terminix can help insulate your attic and seal crawlspaces to keep new bugs from getting into your home. 



If the bugs keep coming back, it is time to call in the professionals at Terminix and make your home a permanent bug free zone. 
Monday, January 22, 2018

The Highest Common Expenses in Your Family Budget



While making a budget for your household isn’t exactly the most exciting task in the world, it is something that is necessary for the frugal family. You will certainly notice that there are some things that take up a much bigger percentage of your budget than others, and it is these items that we are going to be discussing in this article. Of course, you can still take steps to reduce these expenses, but the first thing you need to do is to identify where your money is going in the first place.

Housing

Housing is usually the biggest item on any budget. How much you are spending depends on whether you own or rent the place, the type of home that you have, and the neighbourhood in which you live. If you are looking for a new place to live, it is a good idea to create a rudimentary budget before you select your next home. It also helps to work out what you are spending on your housing as a percentage of your overall budget. After all, once you have selected a place to live, there is not much that you can do to affect this other than move.

Food



Obviously, food is one of the necessities of life, and you will spend a lot of your monthly budget on this. However, there is plenty that you can do to reduce your expenditures. For example, if you regularly order takeaway food or eat out at restaurants, this will inevitably push up your expenses very quickly. If you go shopping without a grocery list, it is much easier to overspend than if you write everything down beforehand. Perhaps you could switch to budget food stores or start using more coupons. These are all practical solutions which you can implement.

Vehicles

Unless everything that you need is within walking or cycling distance, it is likely that you will need to spend a lot of your money on transportation costs. As well as the cost of the cars themselves, you also end up paying for insurance, tax, fuel, and maintenance. Your car suddenly breaking down is another potential problem, and you may need to look for quick solutions such as personal loans with bad credit. Making sure that you take good care of your automobile and drive in a sensible way can help to reduce the need for maintenance.

Childcare

If you and your partner are both working, there is no doubt that childcare can end up taking a big bite out of your budget. Of course, there are a range of different options out there, but making sure that your children are well taken care of will be one of your biggest priorities.

So, there you have four of the biggest expenses that your household budget faces on a month by month basis. Get these under control, and you are much more likely to be able to balance everything out well and keep on top of your finances.  
Sunday, January 21, 2018

Sandwich Bros Offer Quick and Easy Meals for All #SandwichBrosFan #Ad

*DISCLOSURE* This is a sponsored post with Sandwich Bros and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

As a stay-at-home-mom of a 3 year old, I don't always have a lot of time or energy to make dinner every night.  Some nights I make made from scratch meals, while others we have a frozen pizza.  It all depends on how busy my days are.  It's nice to know that there are quick and satisfying meal options to feed my family on the days when cooking is out.



Sandwich Bros offers flatbread pockets filled with your choice of premium proteins like 100% angus beef, all-white meat chicken, all-natural sausage and real Wisconsin cheese.  You'll feel happy knowing that your family is enjoying a meal option that is not only tasty, but good for them too.  There's plenty of choices to make anyone's tummy including sausage and cheese, egg and cheese, egg white and turkey sausage, turkey sausage and cheese, angus cheeseburgers, gyro sliders, and chicken melts.

I like that there are options for breakfast as well as lunch or dinner.  If mornings are chaotic and you're rushing to get the kids off to school, how about giving them a tasty egg white and turkey sausage flatbread pocket?  They'll love it! In just 35-40 seconds, a breakfast packed with the protein your children need can be had.  The combination of low carb and high protein helps your little ones stay full for longer and give their brains the boost it needs.  You can pair the flatbread pocket with fruit for breakfast and veggies for dinner.


My local grocery store didn't have much of a variety of the sandwiches, but seemed to only have the egg and cheese sandwiches.  I do wish I could have tried a chicken melt, but the stars were just not aligned that day.  You can't go wrong with the classic combination of egg and cheese, and it does make breakfast a lot easier in the morning.


Scarlett enjoyed the sandwich paired with some fruit on the side for a quick breakfast before preschool.  Since she's a big egg lover, it's nice to not have to dirty a pan making her eggs and having another clean up job to do.  With the egg and cheese flatbread pocket, you pop it in the microwave and you're good to go in under 1 minute.  I like to serve the sandwich with a side of fruit to give her breakfast a healthy balance.  Scarlett was easily able to hold the sandwich to eat it and loved it! She kept saying yum and yummy.  I think it's safe to say she's a fan of Sandwich Bros.

Sandwich Bros are found at your local Kroger, Sam's, Costco, and more.  Find a store near you here.  Take advantage of the $1 off coupon found here.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Sandwich Bros for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.


Saturday, January 20, 2018

Toddlers Will Say Yum to Quesadillas!

Let's face it, whether you're a working mom or a stay-at-home-mom, both don't have a lot of energy to make dinner at the end of the day.  If it's just one of those days where you're exhausted from a long day and don't even want to think about making anything involved for your toddler, why not focus on a delicious and easy recipe that involves minimal prep work?


One of Scarlett's favorite meals is chicken quesadillas.  I usually put black beans and corn in it along with chicken and shredded Mexican cheese. The best part about quesadillas is that you can use whatever you have on hand to please the tiny tot who'll be devouring it.  Whether you use refried beans, black beans, or even steak or pork, it'll turn out fabulous each and every time.  Don't forget lots of shredded cheese too! I even make them for myself for dinner occasionally.  


Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Put one tortilla in a non-stick pan and fill it with pre-cooked chicken, cheese, black beans, pre-cooked rice, corn, and whatever else your child likes.  I usually use chicken nuggets that I dice and then I top with shredded cheese.  Once you're done filling the bottom tortilla top it with the second tortilla.  

2. Put it in the oven for 5 minutes to crisp up the tortilla and have the cheese melt.

3. Pair the quesadilla with your favorite salsa. Scarlett's obsessed with pineapple salsa and would prefer to drink the bottle if I let her, that's how much she loves it.

I didn't have a ton of ingredients on hand since we're at Grandma's, so we opted for a classic chicken and cheese quesadilla tonight.  Of course Scarlett does not mind that it's not chock full of other ingredients and was happy to dig in regardless.

Let these quesadilla's be a quick go-to when you're feeling unmotivated or lazy in the kitchen.  You can even put veggies in them too, especially if you struggle with your child to eat veggies.  Feel free to make these your own and be as creative as you'd like.
Monday, January 15, 2018

Give Your Doorstep The Personality It Deserves From Gifts For You Now

There are many things you can do to the outside of your home to give it personality.  You can plant flowers and add lawn decorations for starters.  One thing that doesn't get as much love is the front porch.  Usually this area of the home has a very basic doormat or not even one at all.  How come we always forget to give the porch the love that it deserves? It's time to put a beautiful personalized mat out to welcome your guests with.
Gifts For You Now provides thoughtful personalized gifts for all occasions year-round.  You can add your personalized touch for gifts that will make the recipient smile and think of you.  There's a range of categories to choose from from baby showers and weddings to pets and even memorial items.  Of course any major holiday is focused upon heavily at GiftsForYouNow.  A personalized family doormat would make the ultimate housewarming gift for a friend or family member, as well as a monogrammed cutting board to use for dinner parties.

The options are endless at GiftsForYouNow and I can guarantee you'll find more than one thing that catches your eye.  Go ahead and treat yourself or a loved one to a fantastic gift today.

The Family Word Doormat stood out to me when I first saw it.  It's different and certainly a conversation piece.  This is no ordinary mat at all, but it shows who lives at your home.  I knew it would be the ideal gift for my parents and something they could enjoy year-round.

There are two options to choose from depending on what you're looking for.  You can either choose from the 18 x30" slip resistant floor mat or the heavy duty 24 x 36" 100% recycled rubber doormat with a block scrollwork embossed frame.  The simple, yet classic design will look excellent any time of year.  It's designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use and will hold up well in almost any weather condition.  You'll be pleased to know that it's made to list and is mildew and water damage resistant.

You're able to choose any names you want on the doormat including symbols like hearts, stars, flowers, music notes, and more.  The option to select what color you want the text to be is possible too.  I put the names Holly, Scott, and Paisley (their dog) on the mat along with their last name.



Both my parents and I feel that the mat turned out nicely.  It's not as thick as we'd like, but it's not a major deal.  The mat surely gives their doorstep a stylish boost of personality.  The old mat that they had was a plain one and they are enjoying this one a lot more.  This one is also a good size for the space it's in.

Everyone loves monogrammed things and it's fun to have their family represented all on one mat.  The colors are bright and vivid and the text is easy to read.  Many adorable hearts are dotted all over the mat too.

If you're looking to give your doorstep a makeover, Gifts For You Now is waiting for your order.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Gifts For You Now for providing a product sample in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 


Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Create Beautiful Canvases from PhotoWall

When I look at the walls in my home, I am presented with pictures of our family and artwork that my husband and I enjoy.  Walls are meant to be filled with love and memories, and that's what I aim to do.  I enjoy seeing pictures of my daughter when she was younger and the memories they evoke. Family means everything to me and I always enjoy adding new collages with meaningful pictures. When's the last time you updated the family photos in your home?

Photowall is a Swedish company that specializes in murals and canvas prints to liven up the walls in your home.  There are several room categories you can choose from for murals including children's rooms, living rooms, offices, kitchens, and even bathrooms.  Don't worry, there are plenty of different prints to select from such as cities, landscapes, nature, sports, and much more.  I can guarantee you'll find something that would look great in any room in your home!

If you'd rather have a canvas, you're easily able to upload the image of your choice and size to create a beautiful canvas to hang in your home.  You can never have too many family photos around your home! A gift from Photowall makes the perfect choice for a friend or family member, especially as a housewarming present.

Here are some examples of murals anyone can enjoy:





I think these examples are perfect for showing the variety of what murals are available from PhotoWall.  There's truly something for everyone's taste.  What will you order?



Thursday, January 4, 2018

Bring The Joys of Cracker Barrel Into Your Home!

As many of you know, I grew up in the south and lived there for 17 years. Due to this, it's made me no stranger to classic Southern fare like mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings, biscuits, and of course sweet tea.  Now that I live in New England, there's not many restaurants that cater towards southern cuisine around.  There's just something so comforting about digging into a plate of something warm and delicious that reminds you of childhood.



Cracker Barrel is an American chain of a combined restaurant and gift store that has a Southern country theme.  You'll enjoy bringing the whole family to this eatery where you can make your belly happy with such menu choices as grilled pork chops, hickory smoked country ham, rainbow trout, or even roast beef.  There's something for everyone including sandwiches, salads, soups, and even breakfast all day! Don't forget the delicious sides like mac and cheese, buttermilk biscuits, fried okra, country green beans, fried apples, and so much more.  You can't leave without finishing the meal with a sweet treat such as fruit cobbler with ice cream, a slice of pie, or even double chocolate fudge coca-cola cake!

As much as I love Cracker Barrel's restaurant, I am equally fond of their country store.  We just got back from a 3 week road trip and I was lucky to be able to stop at two different Cracker Barrel's for lunch and dinner.  There's always something uncommon and interesting to see in the store.  You'll love the housewares, unique food and candy options, as well as clothing and toys.  It's next to impossible to walk into the store without buying something.  I found an adorable dress for Scarlett that I bought and there were plenty of other things I had to control myself from buying!

Since I don't live close to a Cracker Barrel I don't get to go too frequently.  Luckily, you can bring the convenience of their store into your home with their online shop.  Anyone's kitchen would be thrilled to receive a Cracker Barrel Large Breakfast Basket as well as a cast iron skillet.


The basket contains CB's famous natural syrup, buttermilk pancake mix, apple butter, fried apples, a bag of coffee, and strawberry preserves.  Not only would this be a fabulous gift for yourself, but for a loved one too.  You can never go wrong with pancakes, syrup, and coffee anytime of day.  Fried apples are a treat that I don't have very often, so it was exciting to have them featured in the basket.   The apple butter and strawberry preserves on toast would be perfect on toast any day.  Don't forget to pair your breakfast with a fabulous cup of coffee!


I've heard wonderful things about cast iron skillets but surprisingly have never owned one. The one I received is on the smaller side which is perfect since it doesn't take up much room.  I got to work making Cracker Barrel's pancakes.  I have not tried their pancakes in the restaurant previously, so it was exciting to have the opportunity to do so at home. Breakfast for dinner was on the agenda and it was a great choice if you ask me.

Using the cast iron pan for cooking made the pancakes turn out wonderfully fluffy and golden brown.  I'm not always the best at making pancakes perfectly round, but they came out round and beautiful tonight!


I served our pancake dinner with bacon, strawberries, and fried apples.  Of course you can't forget a generous drizzle of Cracker Barrel's fabulous syrup which was fantastic.  The pancakes tasted very similar to their biscuits which I wish I could have on a daily basis.  I loved how fluffy and light they were.  Since they were so quick to make, I certainly will keep the pancake mix in mind on busy nights when I have no time to cook a big meal.  Breakfast for dinner is always a hit in my household.


Everyone enjoyed the dinner and my husband Jay gave the coffee two thumbs up too. I'm looking forward to sampling the strawberry preserves and apple butter in the very near future.

If you need to buy a friend or a loved one a gift, the large breakfast basket would be a fantastic choice.  Who knows, maybe they'll even invite you over for breakfast?

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







Keep Little One's Hands Warm With Mittyz

If you picture cold weather what's the first thing you think of? Many will think of soups, stews, or even roaring fires and hot chocolate.  Of course snow goes hand in hand with all of those things.  Adults and children alike enjoy snow activities including snow tubing, skiing, and even making a snowman.  When you're out in the frigid temps, it's dire to make sure your hands are protected from the chilly air.



Mittyz by Veyo Kids are a new type of baby and toddler glove designed specifically to end the "thumb wars" and make outdoor playtime easy.  The unique design makes them easy to slip on and fit perfectly around bulky coats.  They stay on better and keep little fingers warmer, which means outdoor playtime lasts longer.  You'll find that the gloves come in a variety of styles including tiger paws, skull and crossbones, penguins, dragons, and butterflies.  There's a perfect pair of Mittyz for every boy and girl in sizes that range from 6 months all the way up to 6 years. 

Parents everywhere will enjoy that Mittyz are 100% waterproof and fleece lined for warmth. The elastic gauntlet cinch strap seals out snow and ice making outdoor play enjoyable and easier. Toss in the washing machine to have the gloves be washed and ready for more future outdoor play.

Scarlett absolutely loves to play in the snow whenever the white stuff falls from the sky. Since we live in New England, we get a lot of snow during the winter.  She doesn't love to be bundled up but knows it's necessary to play outside.  One thing that I've always had trouble with is her gloves though.


Children's mittens and gloves always seem to be thin and not very warm.  It's always a struggle to get little one's hands in them, especially with thumbs for mittens.  We've had waterproof gloves in the past that were made with a thicker material but were challenging to put on.  In the end, Scarlett's gloves always seem to come off and then her hands get wet and cold.  She gets upset and it's not enjoyable for either of us! I worry about her getting sick with her hands not covered.  

We received the Mittyz in the mail yesterday and today we have snow.  What perfect timing, don't you think? The gloves very easy to put on securely and in no time Scarlett was bundled up and ready to play outside. I loved how the Mittyz went all the way up Scarlett's arm over her puffy jacket.  Thanks to this, you're able to prevent snow and ice from getting inside the sleeve of the jacket and making your child cold.



Scarlett had a lot of fun playing outside and when I asked her if her hands were cold she said no.  We were able to stay outside for about half an hour before she wanted to come in.  With prior snowfalls, she didn't want to stay outside as long because she would complain about her gloves falling off and her hands being cold. The gloves did not come off at all and tightly stayed on the whole time outdoors.  I was very impressed with that and knew that these gloves would be a lifesaver this winter!

Mittyz will always be reliably in our coat closet for future play all winter long.  I know I'll be ordering the next size up for her when the time comes! I highly recommend Mittyz to parents everywhere who live in cold states.

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



Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Put Some Good Night Books On Your Child's Bookshelf

Now that Scarlett is older and just turned 3, we're really trying to teach her about the world around her.  She knows about the sun, moon, stars, weather and so many other elements of life.  It's equally important to me that she knows about the state she lives in, as well as where her parents are from.  As she gets older, I'd love to tell her about my childhood in North Carolina, as well as her dad's in New Jersey.  Thankfully, there are plenty of children's books to help on those subjects.



Good Night Books is an adorable board book series meant for children 0-5 designed to celebrate special places that young children can relate to.  Not only is there one for each state in the United States, but others including the galaxy, the beach, animals, America, and many others.  The books are clear and easy to understand and include bright and vivid illustrations that all children will enjoy.  

A few years back we discovered the Good Night book for our state at a used book store.  I was very excited to buy it for Scarlett because it was a great way to know about where she lives.  I had no prior knowledge of the series and was pleased to know how large the line was once I did some online research.  We also have Good Night Farm which is equally as adorable.  It's one of Scarlett's favorites since she is such an animal lover.

These books make perfect gifts for young children as well as gifts for a baby shower.  Any tiny tot would be enthused to have a book from the state which they live in.  The hardcover board book is easy to hold and doesn't have too many pages where children will lose interest.


Since we're always looking to expand Scarlett's book collection, I wanted her to have Goodnight New Jersey, Goodnight North Carolina and Goodnight Country Store.  I grew up in North Carolina and my husband Jay grew up in New Jersey, so it was important to us for Scarlett to have books about where her parents are from.  In my opinion, Goodnight Country Store is a fun choice because Scarlett it combines shopping and food, which are two of Scarlett's favorite things.  It reminds me of Cracker Barrel's Country Store which Scarlett and I both enjoy. 

Since we only had 2 prior books from the series, I was looking forward to seeing Scarlett's reaction to 3 new books from the line once they arrived.


We chose to read Goodnight North Carolina first since I was intrigued at what it would say about my home state.  I lived in North Carolina for 17 years and have fond memories of growing up there.  It's very different from New England where we live now! The book focuses on The Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers were first in flight, Roanoke Island, The North Carolina Zoological Park and much more.  

It was great to be able to show her places in North Carolina in the book that I went as a child such as The Outer Banks.  Scarlett enjoyed the pictures and asked questions along the way of things that intrigued her.  Hopefully one day she'll be able to see everything in the book in person! She's been to North Carolina a few times and it's always special for me to have her in my home state.


My husband was very enthusiastic about the Good Night New Jersey book.  Scarlett's Grandma lives in New Jersey, so we visit frequently.  The book showcases such places as The Delaware Water Gap, Asbury Park, Point Pleasant Boardwalk, and New Jersey lighthouses among others.  Jay enjoyed reading the book to her and telling her about his memories and thoughts about certain topics in the book.

Since he's from New Jersey he has much more knowledge about the state than I do.  Last summer we visited the Point Pleasant Boardwalk and rode the rides which are featured in the book.  It was fun to remind Scarlett of that visit and how she loved the experience.

Lastly, Goodnight Country Store focuses on everything that you associate a country store with from quilts and crafts to classic toys and food.  There was even one page that featured a bookshelf with some books from the Good Night series for sale! I thought that was cute.  There's always something fun and interesting to see at a Country Store.  Scarlett and I just went to the Cracker Barrel store twice last weekend when we were driving back from our road trip.  They sell very similar things as to what's in the book.  It's hard to not buy something every time you're in a country store!

Scarlett's really been enjoying the new books from the series immensely.  I hope to add to her collection soon enough.  We have our eye on Goodnight Galaxy and Goodnight Ocean!

If you're looking to add some wonderful books to your child's collection, it's time to pick out some titles from the series!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Good Night Books for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.