Life In Our New House!

For the past 5 1/2 years, Scarlett, my husband Jay, and I lived in a 1,512 square foot 2 bedroom condo.  When we moved into it in 2014 from a 700 square foot apartment it felt gigantic.  For a few years after that it was wonderful.  Within the last year or so, it started to get cramped.  Scarlett's bedroom was tiny and barely had any room for furniture also.  When Jack was born we knew we had to get out.  He had no bedroom and his crib was in our room.  He shared a small closet with Scarlett and I had all of his baby items in a bin under my bed.  Not really a great set-up if you ask me!

While I was pregnant with Jack, we looked at houses because we knew a move was needed.  Everything we saw in the town we lived in in our budget was either not a good fit due to various reasons, or the house was extremely old and needed a lot of work.  Jay and I decided to look at a different town about 20 minutes away from us where the housing prices were more affordable. We saw many more houses and then finally saw the house we bought.  At first I didn't like it at all.  Jay loved it right away because it's in a woodsy part of the town, and the one acre backyard has a stone wall that is very appealing to him.  

During our house hunt, Jay always went back to this house and said we should consider it.  We weren't finding anything that stood out to us, but he kept mentioning this house.  We decided to back for a second showing a few weeks after initially seeing it.  Our realtor mentioned that she was surprised that it was still on the market due to the location and the price tag considering the sellers purchased it for a lot more.  

In the end, we decided it was a good fit and went for it.  We made our offer in early October and just shy of 2 months later, we're in the new house! Packing up our old house was extremely overwhelming with two kids.  We did what we could at night and on the weekends, but we had no help.  I can't lie and say I didn't freak out a few times at the workload we had.  

It all worked out because we moved in two days ago! It was bizarre and sad seeing our old house completely emptied out and 5.5 years of life on two moving trucks. This was Scarlett's only home she ever knew.  We tried to talk to her for weeks ahead of time about the move and answer any questions she had.  Our new house is 4 bedrooms, 2,500 square feet and 2.5 bathrooms.  The old house had 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 1,512 square feet.  So you can see this was a big upgrade in terms of size! We were lucky to get central air in this house just like we were used to.  A lot of homes we saw did not have central air.  We do have oil heating which is something we're learning about and getting used to.  It would have been nice if we had natural gas, but you can't have it all.

My parents flew in to help us with the move which was wonderful.  In 24 hours, 85% of the house was emptied and put away.  If it were just Jay and I it would have taken so much longer due to having two small kids.   But with four people helping to unpack it goes a lot quicker. 

The new house has a huge unfinished basement which we're currently using for storage.  It's a blessing having so much more space and room to grow.  Scarlett and Jack have a beautiful playroom off the kitchen that has fantastic built in shelving and cabinets for all of their toys.  Our house was built in 1958 (which is typical of the area) and has been updated in some aspects but has original charm like huge bay and bow windows.  

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any families on this exact street, but I've been told on the next one there are.  I have to find out who they are exactly so Scarlett can hopefully meet some new friends her age.  We also need to get pictures hung up on the wall and buy some new furniture since we have bigger rooms to fill.  

We're thrilled to be in the new house and look forward to many happy years here filled with memories! I also don't want to move again for a very long time! 

Make Your Mouth Say Yum With Entenmann's Little Bites Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies! #LoveLittleBites +Giveaway

*This is a sponsored post for Entenmann's.  I am receiving a gift card and coupons in exchange for this post.* 

Scarlett and I have the biggest sweet tooth in the family.  My husband Jay enjoys sweets, but I think our love for treats surpasses his by far.  It's very difficult for me to go a day without having some kind of yummy treat, but I've been trying to work on that.  I'll never turn down a brownie, cookie, or even slice of cake.  You can say that chocolate runs through my veins instead of blood.  A warm chocolate chip cookie served with an icy cold glass of milk is just a beautiful thing.

Entenmann's offers over 100 tasty and scrumptious baked goods ranging from America's favorite crumb cakes, donuts, and cookies to danishes and cupcakes.  There's truly a dessert to please anyone's taste buds.  Their chocolate glazed donuts are outstanding and I always grab a box when I'm in the grocery store.  I am sure that everyone has tried at least one item from the Entenmann's line.  

If you're a chocolate fan like I am, you'll be pleased to know that Entenmann's Little Bites have released mini chocolate chip cookies.  Little Bites are known a variety of mini muffins and brownies, but their mini chocolate chip cookies are soft-baked and bursting with real chocolate chips.  Moms will be thrilled to know the cookies contain no high fructose corn syrup.  These mini treats are perfectly sized for little hands to share during lunch or on-the-go.  Throw them in your child's lunchbox or have them waiting for them as an after-school treat.  Wherever they are eaten you can guarantee the cookies will put a smile on someone's face.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on these and try them for myself.  Scarlett and I shared a pack and instantly fell in love with them.  Since the cookies are mini, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in a way that provides less guilt than having a large cookie.  Each pack contains 6 cookies.  She loved how little the cookies were and I thought that they were fantastic.  The cookies would be ideal for a mid-day snack or equally as tasty as an after dinner treat.  They are very light in taste and not overly filling.

Scarlett loves when I put a treat in her lunchbox at preschool especially because I don't do it too often.  She's just like me and would never turn down anything chocolate.  My cookie loving girl will be thrilled when I put a bag of these in her lunchbox for school next week.  It's always a good day when cookies are involved.

You'll have the chance to try these fabulous cookies for yourself as one lucky winner will win a $25 digital Visa gift card as well as Entenmann's coupons.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leave The Shame of Incontinence Behind

As someone who has had two children, I am very familiar with pelvic floor issues that can be caused from pregnancy.  Did you know that even if you had a c-section you can still suffer from incontinence problems? Pelvic floor muscles can be stretched and damaged after delivery leaving you feeling frustrated and embarrassed.  These pelvic issues can increase with not only age but subsequent births.  It's time to leave the shame behind and know that you're not alone.

Many mothers feel shame and defeat due to issues with incontinence.  I've read so many stories of bladder issues after birth in my pregnancy and birth Facebook groups I'm in- it's much more common than people realize! Some may not be able to do the activities they used to enjoy doing such as running, exercising, or even laughing without experiencing some kind of leakage.  It can be upsetting to feel like you don't have control over your unpredictable bladder whether you suffer from urgency or an overactive bladder.  

It's time to get control over your life and give thanks to Attain which is the only at- home guaranteed FDA cleared solution to bladder leakage.  Attain is more than 90% effective in treating bowel and bladder leakage.  Stop wasting money on pads and diapers that don't solve the issues at hand.  It works by using a patented balloon intravaginally which provides the same resistance as weights do at the gym.  Once you insert and turn it on, the balloon uses bio feedback from your own body to customize your pelvic workout and inflates to make your muscles contract, thereby causing the muscles to work harder and gain more strength.  Many OBGYNS consider Attain a workout for your pelvic floor.  For 10 minutes a day for a few weeks in the comfort of your own home, the device exercises the muscles in your pelvic floor that's responsible for most bladder issues.  No more spending thousands of dollars on pads or diapers-you'll be thrilled to see the difference and be able to do all of the things you used to do without fear of leakage or running to the bathroom.

Just like a new mom who is in the gym trying to get rid of the baby weight, it's equally as important to exercise your pelvic floor to make it as strong as possible. 

Take charge of life and get out there and live it to the fullest.  You only have one life and don't waste it by feeling ashamed of yourself.

Experience Salon Du Chocolat in NYC!

Chocolate is my weakness.  I have no problem avoiding fried foods, fast foods, or even soda.  But chocolate? I cannot resist it if even if I tried! Give me a warm chocolate cookie with a glass of icy cold milk and I'll be your best friend.  Brownies, chocolate cake, or even a slice of chocolate pie sounds like absolute heaven.  Scarlett is turning into a chocoholic herself.  I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh? What's your favorite chocolate dessert?

Salon Du Chocolat is coming to New York City one weekend only on November 16th-17th.  This fabulous event originated in Paris 25 years ago and comes to New York with a rich history and whimsical offerings.

If you're a chocolate lover like myself, you'll definitely not want to miss it.  Feast your eyes and sink your teeth into cocoa creations and innovations featuring flavor combinations like nothing you've ever seen before.  The little ones are even considered with a dedicated area for the budding pastry chef with interactive workshops and more.  If you thought that sounded good enough as it is, you're in for more.  A chocolate fashion show is in store as well as stations on how to learn everything on how to make edible art to flavorful breads.  Don't forget to check out the Chocolate Genius who will be sculpting a massive chocolate installation throughout the weekend.

  

There's truly something for everyone at Salon du Chocolat no matter where you look.  It's the perfect indoor family fun event to take a break from the cold weather with.  Make sure you taste as much chocolate as possible! It will be one event you won't soon forget.  

Tickets can be purchased here.  Have a wonderful time!

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Salon Du Chocolat for providing complimentary tickets in exchange for coverage.  All thoughts are strictly my own.  

Calphalon's Intellicrisp Waffle Maker Makes Breakfast Extra Delicious #HolidayGiftGuide

On the three mornings a week that Scarlett goes to school, our mornings are hectic.   I'm not only getting her and myself ready, but Jack as well.  I don't have a lot of time to make breakfast that takes too long.  Usually I give her frozen pancakes, some quick cheesy eggs, cereal, or yogurt and fruit.  On the weekends when our days are more open, I have more free time to cook in the mornings.  Waffles are always a family favorite and there are so many ways to make them scrumptiously yummy. What is your favorite way to eat waffles?

Calphalon is a brand everyone recognizes for cookware/bakeware, kitchen appliances, as well as cutlery and kitchen utensils.  I can guarantee you have at least one Calphalon product in your kitchen that you use on a regular basis.

One product that Calphalon recently introduced is the Calphalon Intellicrisp Waffle Maker in Dark Stainless Steel.  If you have a beloved foodie on your Christmas shopping list, this would make the ideal present for them.  This waffle maker features a ceramic cooking surface that delivers 20% more even heat for crisp, fluffy waffles.  You'll notice a high-contrast LCD screen that displays a countdown timer for intuitive control and precise results.  The waffle maker locks for convenient, compact, vertical storage.  Choose between 5 waffle shades to match your preferred level of browning and crispiness.  The ceramic surface is 11x more durable than standard nonstick and provides easy food release and clean-up.

One thing that is fantastic about waffles is that they can be prepared in so many ways.  Whether you want chocolate waffles topped with blueberries, bacon waffles topped with warmed Maple syrup, or even just plain fluffy waffles topped with sliced strawberries, the possibilities are endless.  Be creative and come up with something delicious to delight your taste buds today.

It's been a long time since I've made waffles for my family.  Our old waffle maker kicked the bucket and we never got around to replacing it.  When I discovered Calphalon's Intellicrisp Waffle Maker, I knew it needed to have a place in my kitchen ASAP.

Once the waffle maker arrived, I started brainstorming about what kind of waffles I wanted to make for myself, Scarlett, and my husband Jay for a fun Friday night breakfast for dinner.  Although I love plain waffles and they are classically wonderful, it's always nice to add some personality and pizazz to what you eat.  A chocolate chip and banana waffle stood out to me and I knew it was the winner.  I adore the combination of chocolate and banana slices, and I knew my sweets loving child would feel the same.  You don't really need syrup with these because they are sweet enough without it, although you can add syrup if you have a mega sweet tooth.

The waffle maker is truly beautiful and I feel fortunate to have it in my home.  The sleek, dark stainless steel is very attractive and would look wonderful on any kitchen counter.  I added a drop of vanilla in the batter for some extra flavor.  Once the batter was ready, I added in a generous amount of milk chocolate chips and poured it into the waffle maker.  You can't add too much batter though or it will spill out of the sides, so be careful.   If you want just a hint of chocolate, add less, although I am a true chocolate lover.   I'll never say no to it!

Once you're ready to delight your stomach with waffle-y goodness, the waffle maker preheats and lets you know when it's ready to cook on the large LCD display.  I selected a light setting for the waffles and eagerly awaited those beauties to be done.  The large cooking countdown timer lets you know how long is left.  The waffle takes about 2 minutes and 30 seconds to cook.  Once the waffles were done, I plated them and added fresh banana slices to the plate.  What could be more beautiful or tasty? Nothing else, I tell you! The waffles didn't stick at all to the plates and slid out easily. I didn't even have to grease the plates which is a huge help.  I love that you can make two waffles at a time which cuts the cooking time in half for a large family.

Scarlett and Jay devoured the waffles and said that they were fluffy, thick, and wonderfully cooked.  I served the waffles with some crispy turkey bacon on the side.  Who doesn't enjoy breakfast for dinner?  I have to say that the rectangular pieces of heaven were perfectly crisp on the outside and fabulously fluffy on the inside. These are not thin waffles by any means, but large and in charge!  A slice of heaven in your mouth for sure.  The chocolate and banana combination never fails to hit the spot and was a welcomed treat.  It's fantastic being able to make a restaurant quality breakfast in the comfort of your own home.

Since the waffle maker is compact, it can easily sit on a counter top or be stored in a cabinet for storage.  It has a neutral style that would fit in with any kitchen decor. 

If you're thinking of treating yourself or a loved one to a Calphalon Intellicrisp Waffle Maker this Christmas, you'll definitely be making a smart choice.

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