Get Ready for Summer Fashion

Hottest Summer Style Predictions of 2018

Summer fashion trends give a breath of fresh air to wardrobe updates as the world embraces the heat and sun of the season. Every aspect of design plays a role in whether a piece is hot or not. Wholesale shades sunglasses designers and fashion gurus try to match their work to the elements that analysts say will be more popular. Here are some of their predictions for the summer of 2018.

Colors

Both bold and soft colors make their mark on this season’s favorites. Bright primary and secondary colors – blue, red, yellow, and green – permeate the runways. On the flip side, pastels are showing up in a lot of the latest fashions. Yellow cream and lilac may be seen separately or paired in one ensemble, gracing the summer with a delicate touch.

Patterns

For this summer, it is a good idea to think inside the box. Checked or boxy patterns seem to dominate many styles. The classic summer gingham is in fashion again this year, but there is also evidence that larger box patters are emerging. Also trending are the bright colors and swirled prints of South Beach fashion. When you buy retro glasses wholesale, you can get style and colors to go with every outfit.

Styles

Just as pastels soften the colors of summer, the puffed sleeve is making a comeback to infuse a bit of sweetness in your closet. This style embraces the romance and intrigue of summer. For the executive who may be looking for a way to stay cool in the summer but still remain professional, power shorts turn the traditional pantsuit into an ensemble fit for the boardroom. 

Apparel Candy sells wholesale sunglasses to complement just about every outfit. Visit the website to see just how many choices there are when it comes to eye care that takes full advantage of the summer months.

My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream Is a Treat Everyone Will Love

When it comes to ice cream, I frequently love to try new and interesting types on a regular basis. Who can resist a cool and creamy frozen treat that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth? I've recently eaten wildflower lemon, kiwi strawberry and even hibiscus ice cream.  Although I love classic flavors, there's nothing quite like sampling something that will make you say wow!

My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is the ultimate treat that everyone will enjoy this fall.  If you're looking to take your taste buds out of their typical routine, it's time to experience the pop-able, portable, and satisfying low-calorie My/Mo Mochi ice cream.  The mouth-watering ice cream that's wrapped in a delectable rice dough is only 110 calories per piece and guilt-free.  Sink your teeth into such fabulous flavors like double chocolate, green tea, cookies & cream, ripe strawberry, sweet mango, vanilla bean, and mint chocolate chip.  There's truly a flavor for everyone's taste preferences.  Go ahead and stock your freezer with these yummy treats for a tasty snack any time of day.  

Even though today is the first day of Fall, the temps are still in the 80s here in New England. The vibe outside is still summer-like, which is perfect for enjoying My/Mo Mochi ice cream! I've heard of these tasty sounding treats but have never had the opportunity to personally sample them until now. 

With 6 pieces of My/Mo Mochi per box, there's more than enough to share with friends or family.  The flavors that showed up at my door were double chocolate, ripe strawberry, and green tea.  Scarlett has been asking for ice cream a lot lately and once she found out what was inside the box, she was very excited.  All I heard was "ICE CREAM!" followed by a huge smile.  How can you deny that tiny cutie? It's a daily struggle for me.

I like that there are such a range of flavors to really satisfy anyone's taste buds.  Since I'm a chocoholic, I went right for the double chocolate My/Mo Mochi and wanted to taste-test it right away.  Each piece of My/Mo Mochi is round and looks like a tiny scoop of ice cream.  This is not just any ordinary ice cream though, it has a thick rice dough blanket around it.  When you bite into it, you're met with a chewy exterior followed by a smooth and creamy ice cream center.  The combination is really delicious and unlike anything I've previously tasted.  When you indulge in a My/Mo Mochi, make sure you let it sit out for a minute or two before eating it, because it's too frozen to eat instantly.  

The double chocolate My/Mo Mochi was sweet and had a wonderful rich chocolatey taste that was unbeatable.  The rice dough coating really adds to the ice cream experience and takes it up a notch.  

My husband Jay is a big fan of green tea hot tea as well as ice cream, so he reserved that flavor for himself.  I was told that the green tea flavor was very prevalent and instantly noticed.  He also enjoyed the rice dough coating and said the chewy texture was an interesting element to add to ice cream.

Scarlett likes fruity flavored ice cream best and opted for the strawberry.  She's used to ice cream being in a cup or cone so she was intrigued by how ice cream could be made in a small ball like My/Mo Mochi was.  Her questions stopped once she started eating and I heard no words except "yum!" I think it's safe to say she's a fan!

If you're looking for a mid-day snack or an after-dinner sweet treat, a piece of My/Mo Mochi would certainly make your tummy happy.  One is really enough to satisfy a sweet tooth and at 110 calories, you can leave the guilt at the door.  Go ahead and introduce your taste-buds to the fantastic My/Mo Mochi ice cream today.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  

BBQ's Are Delicious This Summer Thanks to Kenmore Grills

What's the first thing you think of when you think about summer? I envision BBQ's, pool parties, lazy days spent at the beach, and tons of grilled corn and watermelon.  Summer is my favorite season and there's truly nothing else like it! If you're a fan of grilled foods, it's essential that you have a reliable and quality grill to make juicy burgers and steaks on. Don't forget a delicious dessert to round out the meal with either.

K-Mart is your one-stop-shop for all of your summer outdoor needs including sunscreen, beach towels, pool toys, water toys, snacks, and more.  If you'll be entertaining guests with fabulous BBQ's and summer soirees, your entertaining necessities will be covered with quality dishes, bowls, patio sets, flatware and serving pieces to make your next party a hit. There's something for everyone and it's waiting for you!

Outdoor entertaining is a must during the warmer months of the year.  Who doesn't love inviting friends and family over for fun conversation over delicious food? Pasta salad, grilled chicken and avocado, corn, and bean salad are on my list of must-have's to serve my guests.  You can't forget refreshing beverages like frozen margarita's and plenty of wine either.  For those who aren't big drinkers, lemonade and punch are always crowd-pleasers.

Having a quality grill is practically a necessity for outdoor parties. Whether you're in the market for a new grill or looking to replace an existing one, how about the Kenmore 3 Burner Black Patio Grill? 

This beauty is both stylish and spacious with its 496 square inches of cooking space and 30,000 BTUs of power.  The generous side shelves fold down for compact storage, making it a great option for smaller spaces.  The sleek base houses an enclosed cabinet to hide the propane tank.  We're lucky that this Kenmore grill is the newest addition to my parent's backyard!

Once you place your grill order, you get consistent updates in preparation of when your delivery will arrive as well as as a call the day before with the delivery time window.  The delivery process was smooth and problem free.

You'll love all of the convenient features that this 3 burner grill has to offer including electronic ignition for easy lighting, porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grids and durable porcelain-enameled lid with a stainless steel handle.  Clean up is a breeze with the easy to clean pull out grease tray and cup.  Since it's on movable casters, you'll be easily able to move around the grill to anywhere you please on your outdoor space.

Since our backyard is very small, having a large grill is out of the question.  I loved the fact that the Kenmore grill was small and wouldn't take up too much room.  It's sleek and modern and the black and stainless steel combination is very attractive.  Simply lift the lid to enjoy perfectly grilled food each and every time!

My dad was able to set up the grill with the help of a friend in about an hour and a half. They laid all of the parts out and said it was important to read every step of the instruction booklet to fully understand.  It looked wonderful once complete and we all started thinking of what we wanted to grill first! With modern oversized knobs and temperatures that reach 700 degrees, you'll surely be able to grill anything you want. 

To begin grilling, just push the ignition button and you'll be on your way to grilled paradise. It's been warm here in New England lately.   My family grilled fabulous burgers and hot dogs to have alongside baked beans and corn.

The grill heated up fast and was ready to go in no time!  My husband Jay did the honors and grilled us a wonderful dinner that cooked fast and evenly.  My parents complimented him on what a good grilling job he did.  The surface area was large and the burgers were able to go on the bottom while the dogs went on the top.  A three burner grill is perfect for a small family to enjoy.

Afterwards, Jay was able to easily wipe down the grill both inside and out to keep it clean. My whole family was very impressed with the grill and how wonderful the food tasted.

We're very much looking forward to using the grill in the future and having tasty meals all summer long.  I'm thinking steak and shrimp is next! If you're looking to revv up your grilling, it's time to introduce a Kenmore Grill to your backyard.

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

Scarlett's 3.5 Year Old Update

I haven't done an update since Scarlett turned 3, so I felt like now would be a perfect time to do an another one.  It's hard to believe she'll be four at the end of the year!

Here's what's new with my silly girl:

Scarlett is potty trained! I'm so happy to announce she's out of pull-ups and has been completely day and night trained for the past two months.  She virtually had no accidents in the beginning and was excited to be in big girl underwear.  I was thrilled to not have to buy pull-ups anymore which are very expensive.  Scarlett is great at telling you when she has to go to the bathroom which I am grateful for.  Most kids are day trained long before they are night trained too so I am lucky it worked in my favor.  Our days are starting earlier since she wakes up early to go to the bathroom.  I'm not ready to be up at 6 AM, but I have no choice.  She used to sleep until 7:30-8, so the days are extra long lately!

I continue to be impressed with how much Scarlett knows.  She listens and remembers everything and you really have to watch what you say around her.  It's safe to say she's my little parrot! She knows more and more on a daily basis and sometimes I'm shocked with how much she has picked up. Her personality is fun and silly but mixed with a caring side.  She feels bad if someone gets hurt and is crying.  It's fun to hear her speak in full sentences and she's come a long way with her speech, especially since she was a late talker.

Scarlett is very big into music and TV these days.  Some of her favorite shows are Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Club House, The Wiggles, PJ Masks, Peppa Pig, Masha and The Bear and more.  Music is also something that she loves and she has a big opinion on what she listens to.  She'll tell me to change a song if she doesn't like it, but will tell me when she loves one too.  It's pretty funny.  Her favorite songs are Train's Play That Song, Ed Sheeran's Perfect, Charlie Puth's One Call Away, and Imagine Dragons Thunder.  She loves to sing along to those songs and it always brings a smile to my face.

Preschool is over in mid June and the year flew by.  She goes 3 days a week now and is never thrilled when I have to pick her up.  I think she'd love to live there if given the opportunity! There's an end of the year show and dinner for the preschool families in the coming weeks and I can't wait to hear her sing in her class's show.  I'm sure it'll be adorable! I've asked her what songs she is singing, but she won't tell me.  I guess I'll be surprised.

Play-Doh and arts and crafts are what she enjoys most.  You'll always find her making something with Play-Doh or drawing in a coloring book with her crayons.  She also loves puzzles, magnatiles, and her doll house.

Food continues to be a love affair for my tiny tot.  Scarlett loves fruit and veggies as much as I love chocolate.  Of course she loves her fair share of junk food too, but she really is the healthiest eater I know.  She eats tomatoes and peppers and fruit all day long. I asked her if she wanted a piece of cake the other day and she said no, I want a red pepper! I hope she continues to love fruits and veggies for years to come.

Scarlett enjoys helping me cook and bake on a frequent basis.  She's always game for helping me mix some pancake batter or pouring rice into a measuring cup.  On Thursday morning I made her eggs for breakfast and she enjoyed cracking the eggs.  I then greased the pan and she said "so it doesn't stick!" That warmed my heart because that's the first step to cooking eggs.  It really shows me that she's paying attention and cares.  Who knows, maybe she'll have a career in cooking?

We have a bunch of things planned for the summer including going to Florida, going to see The Wiggles, and going away for a combined anniversary/birthday trip for me, among many other things. I know Scarlett will have a ton of fun at each place.  We'll be staying overnight on a scenic farm for the birthday/anniversary trip which Scarlett will love.  I had to make it kid friendly to keep her happy and entertained! No family was able to watch her so we could go alone, but that's ok!

My tiny girl is usually an easy-going child, but has her moments as of late.  She is really testing boundaries lately and pushing limits and some days are really challenging.  I am doing the best I can but sometimes she doesn't listen to anyone.  This is not an easy age! I have to count my blessings though because she is a good sleeper, good eater, and usually very patient.  You can't have everything, right?

I can't see where the next 6 months takes us.  This year is just flying by!

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 a top  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 certain treatment methods. Terminix professionals tailor their extermination methods depending on the type of pest 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 takes to rid your home of bugs. 

4. A Satisfaction Guarantee: Terminix professionals pride themselves in their service. If the bugs return, your Terminix professional will revisit your home at no additional cost 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. 

If the bugs keep coming back, it is time to call in the professionals at Terminix and serve those pests an eviction notice. 

* If within 30 days after an inspection or treatment you aren’t totally satisfied, we will refund the applicable treatment or coverage charges and reimburse any prepaid services and cancel your plan.

My 4th Mother's Day!

Tomorrow marks my 4th Mother's Day.  Can you believe it?

It seems like yesterday Scarlett was a baby and the future was full of wonder and discovery.  The years flew by and my tiny baby transformed into a walking, talking toddler who is full of opinions and questions.  Sometimes I miss the days where life was slower and Scarlett was less active but I also am happy with where life is currently. 

Scarlett and I on my first Mother's Day in 2015.  She was 5 months old!

Being a mom is certainly not for everyone.  You sacrifice a lot and you give your child your all.  Life is not just about you anymore, but caring for someone else's needs entirely day in and day out.  Not everyone is cut out to be a parent and that's perfectly ok.   It's up to me to make sure Scarlett is happy and healthy, especially as a stay-at-home-mom.  Our days are long and sometimes I am exhausted by bedtime, but like they say the days are long and the years are short.

It's scary to me that Scarlett is turning four this year.  It really does make me sad because the baby years are fleeting and I'll blink and she'll be in kindergarten!  I wish there was a way to freeze time because three is such a fun age.  Scarlett constantly makes my husband and I laugh and she's really a joy to be around.  I can have a real conversation with her and she has a lot to say these days! Plus, she's into music and loves to sing along to certain pop songs on the radio.

My wish for her on Mother's Day is for us to always be close.  I wish her all the happiness in the world and will always love her now and forever.  

The Recovery Village in Cleveland Ohio is Here to Help

As much as we want life to be easy and smooth sailing, that's not always the case.  Sometimes people get caught up in activities that they aren't proud of and need help to fix.  There are all kinds of reasons why people take up drug and alcohol use.  The most important thing is that these individuals receive the help they need in overcoming their addiction.

The Recovery Village in Cleveland Ohio is here to help and they want to make sure you are comfortable during this life-changing process.  The treatment facility offers unique drug and alcohol rehab centers and facilities created just for you.  Patients will enjoy modern facilities that provide a full continuum of care in a therapeutic setting.  Enjoy luxurious accommodations and amenities designed to heal body and mind.

Once you log onto the Recovery Village's website, you'll see all of the locations available for the treatment center.  The alcohol rehab, drug rehab, and eating disorder treatment centers are located minutes away from many of the nation's largest cities.  Each of the treatment facilities provide full services including medical drug or alcohol detox, PHP, eating disorder medical stabilization, residential care, individualized and group therapy, and post-treatment options.  

Any information you need on local Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery meetings as well as other valuable phone numbers and information is available on the website. The Recovery Village has a team of experts who can assist on finding the right treatment plan, locating rehab centers, and helping with financial limitations.  If you're in need of help, the first step of recovery is admitting you need it. 

Remember, it's never too late to help yourself and be the best person you can be.  

Celebrate Precious Moments' 40th Anniversary With Noah's Ark Themed Nursery Items! + Giveaway

I remember being so excited to decorate Scarlett's nursery before she was born.  Once we ordered the furniture, the decorating and design process began! I ordered many prints online for the walls that I framed and hung with care.  I have to say I love how her room came out, especially because I am not always the best with decorating.  If you're pregnant and due soon, or recently gave birth, Precious Moments would be ideal for any nursery.

Precious Moments offers adorable porcelain ornaments and figurines for virtually any occasion you need including engagements, wedding, birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and more.  Whether you want a figurine to represent a new baby in your home or even a nativity scene to put on your table for Christmas, they have it all.  Precious Moments has been bringing people joy for almost 40 years now and their products are famous.  There's certainly a special piece that will be perfect for you or a loved one that will warm their heart.  Keep Precious Moments in mind for  gifts this year and beyond.

In honor of Precious Moments 40th anniversary, they are kicking off the season with a beautiful new line of Noah's Ark-Themed nursery items.  If you're a new mom or looking for the perfect gift for someone's nursery, the brand has you covered.  The Overflowing With Love Collection offers adorable animal themed items that add a bright touch of faith and fun to nursery decor.  This coordinated collection features a photo frame, snow globe, nightlight, bank and more.  Surely anything from the collection would make a perfect gift for a baby shower, baptism, or to welcome new baby home!

The piggy bank features the smiling faces of God's creatures.  Children will enjoy having the opportunity to keep their first coins and dollars safe, and the bank will be treasured throughout childhood and passed down to future generations.  Boys and girls will love the expertly crafted porcelain bank that's carefully hand painted.  

Place your favorite photo in the adorable frame the holds a 4x6 photo of a precious little one.  Noah's menagerie graces the corner of the frame which would be a sweet accent for a nursery room or the desk of a parent or grandparent.  The frame is made with durable ceramic and is carefully hand painted.

Why not decorate a little boy or girl's nursery with the faithful spirit of Noah and his ark filled with all of God's creatures? The musical snow globe plays the tune "Jesus Loves Me." The 5 inch high snow globe is crafted in cold-cast resin and carefully hand painted.

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Reflecting on Turning 30

In 4 months from tomorrow, I turn 30. When I stop to think about that, it honestly is a little scary.  It makes me feel old.  Everyone says that age is just a number, and hopefully I can keep that saying in mind on a more frequent basis.

It feels like just yesterday I was in high school and going to the movies with my friends.  It wasn't as recent as I imagine though since high school was 13 years ago now.  I can't believe that! 

I'm in a place in my life where people are first getting married and having children, so it's not the norm where I live to be married in your early 20's and have kids right away.  My friends are all significantly older than me and chose to have children later in life.  I like the fact that I had Scarlett at 26 and will be always be a younger mom.  

I met my husband when I was 19 and we've been together ever since.  We celebrate 5 years of marriage this year and 11 years together in total.  That also boggles my mind.  My birthday is 5 days after our anniversary.   The years just fly on by! 

I'm happy with where life has taken me thus far, and I did a lot before having a child.  I went to college in NYC, worked many jobs, met a lot of people, and just experienced life in my 20's.  I've traveled and seen the world and I hope to do even more traveling in this next decade of my life.  You could say that I'm not the same person in some ways as I was five years ago, and that's ok.  

Life is all about learning and growing in order to be the best person possible.  Certain events and people shape your life for the better, or sometimes in a not so negative light.  I think it's important to learn from those times and use them as life lessons.  

I hope that my 30's bring lots of happiness, health, and great surprises along the way.  Goodbye 20's, it's time for a new chapter of life! 

Pet Messes Are No Match for Libman! #CelebratePetsWithLibman

This post is sponsored by The Libman Company but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We've now had Lynnie for almost 5 years.  Time has flown by and she's truly a member of our family and very much loved! When I get home and see her smiling face and wagging tail, it makes my day instantly better! There's nothing like the love a pet has for their family. If you do have a pet, pet messes are inevitable and it's essential you always have the right cleaning tools for the job.

The Libman Company knows their way around cleaning products; for 120 years, the family-owned business has made quality their priority.  The brand offers the finest USA-made brooms, brushes, mops, and cleaning tools.  May marks National Pet Month, and messes are one thing that makes our four legged friends less adorable.  Nobody enjoys cleaning up after their pets, but those cute little faces are irresistible! Thanks to Libman's wonderful mops, pet messes can be cleaned up in a breeze so you have more time with your furry baby.

I'm very lucky that Lynnie doesn't go to the bathroom too much in the house.  She has gotten sick a few times on the hardwood floors and thrown up, which was a lot easier to clean up than on the carpet!  She does have some off days where she has to go to the bathroom and can't let us know fast enough and has an accident.  It's rare, but I do like to be prepared for when those times come.  What she does do a lot is track in dirt and mud on her paws from being outside.  As much as I love her cute little paws, those muddy footprints on my hardwood floors have to go!

For all pet related messes, Libman's Freedom Spray Mop will get any job done whether big or small.  This fabulous mop has a neck that swivels 360 degrees for extra control to reach tough spots like under furniture.  It comes with a thick microfiber pad that cleans deep and is machine washable up to 100 times.  There's no special solution or cleaners to buy, you can use whatever you normally use to clean your floors.  An added bonus is that since the pad is machine washable, you don't have to buy any pad or cleaner refills, which saves you money!  Whatever floor type you have is ideal for the Libman Freedom Spray Mop, it tackles messes on wood floors, laminate, tile, marble, linoleum, stone, and more.

You'll be able to get double duty out of this mop from not only cleaning pet messes, but children's messes too.  Scarlett is always dropping food on the floor or spilling something.  Thanks to the Freedom spray mop's large pad surface, it can clean your floor quickly.  My dog and daughter can play on the floor together and I don't have to worry about them being around unwanted dirt either.

The mop works wonderfully and my floors shine and look their best all the time now.  Make sure you use a cleaner that makes your house smell like a tropical island, those are my favorite! With Libman, you'll have more time to spend with your dog and family, and they'll appreciate that!

Since it's National Pet Month, I'll make sure to give Lynnie extra hugs, belly rubs, and treats.  What will you do for your dog?

Make sure you take advantage of the $3-off product coupon when you sign up for the Libman newsletter on their website!