Tuesday, April 29, 2014

On A Typical Morning In Our House ...

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and U by Kotex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #UbyKotex  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Three mornings per week, our routine involves getting up, dressed, fed, ready and out the door to make it to our workout class by 10AM. Though I only have one child to get out the door, some days it feels merely impossible to be anywhere on time with everything we need for a few hours out of the house in tow. Most mornings, I can remember things like an extra bottle, pacifier, and enough diapers and wipes to handle a small emergency, but remembering personal items for myself has become a bit harder.

I never go anywhere without my diaper bag. It contains all of the essentials I will need for G, and has enough space for me to pack extra essentials for myself. The key is making sure to pack all of the essentials that I'll need in a crunch. Over the last nine months, I have had time and experience to learn what the absolute essentials are for this Mommy. The list contains a pair of sunglasses, a pair of gloves, a few protein packed snacks, my wallet, chapstick, tissues and a few feminine items, i.e. tampons and slim pads. 

When it comes to tampons and pads, I want something that is slim, easy to hide, and doesn't have the typical 'feminine product' appearance. After all, I am usually pulling one of these items out at an inopportune time when I only have a minute or two to spare. When I saw the new U by Kotex line at Walmart this week, I was instantly drawn to their sleek designs and packaging. My local Walmart had the entire collection in stock, and their everyday low prices made it an easy decision to toss both the Sleek Tampons and Cleanwear Pads into my shopping cart. 

 
I was pleasantly surprised to see that I received 3 bonus Goody hair elastics with my U by Kotex purchase. It is always a good idea to take an extra hair tie (or three) along with you, especially when you'll be burning calories and working up a sweat. And, while supplies last, you can take advantage of the same deal when you shop for these products at your local Walmart! 


 
The workout class that I attend is one that involves lots of babies, and lots of strollers. In truth, I love being able to take Gavin with me to workout with other Mom's every week. It is a chance for us to get out of the house together, breathe some fresh air and socialize. This class has been a lifesaver for me over the last few months as I perfect my 'Mommy craft.' 


I've gotten pretty good at packing our bag(s) in a hurry, and am proud to say that last week, I had every item we needed when I was working out each morning. I even had the emergency tampon that I couldn't have survived class without on Friday. Thank you, Kotex!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Every Daddy Needs A Boys Night.

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Scandinavian Tobacco Group Lane, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CuberoLuxury http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

When my husband and I first starting dating, we would spend our weekends meeting up with friends at local watering holes, catching movies or concerts, and often getting together with his brothers and their wives. By far, one of our favorite things to do is get together with a few couples, grill some dinner on a beautiful summer night, and sip on some ice cold beer. And, if it is up to my husband and his brothers, there will always be cigars in tow. It is just one of their things. 

Now that we're parents and are typically battling at least a touch of sleep deprivation, we spend our Friday nights at home watching Shark Tank on our couch, and falling asleep somewhere around 11PM. We rarely have time to squeeze in a date night, unless it's planned way in advance, let alone any type of girls or 'guys nights out.' 

Most weekdays, when my husband comes walking through the door I am ready to hand him the baby and go running for the hills mall. Or at least to my car to get a moment's peace. I am so happy to have another set of haling hands at home, that I often forget that he just had a busy day at work, and he might need the down time about as much as I do. We plug away, week after week, and never really carve out too much time for either of us to get a break. Call it 'new parent' syndrome,' but I believe it is something we really need to be more intentional about. 

While I was out shopping at Walmart a few weeks back, I decided to pick up a pack of Cubero Cigars for B. I figured I would surprise him with them, and encourage him to get together with hi brothers and/or some guy friends for a guys night. Poker, beer, sports, movies, cigars, whatever made him happy. He could even host it at our house if he so desired. 


My husband is a simple guy at heart, so just catching up with a few guys is enough for him. He held onto an old poker set, a few sets of 3D glasses for our SmartTV, and a bunch of sports paraphernalia, and managed to turn a portion of our basement into a man cave. It's not much, but it's enough to host a few guys and be far enough away from the baby and I to relax. Of course, I didn't want to interrupt their time, but I managed to snap a few pics of some of the setup. Men are simple, what can I say?





Does your man need a guys night, too? Walmart is now carrying Cubero Cigarillos, Captain Black Cigarillos, or Captain Black Mini Tips, so you have lots to choose from. Cubero® is a high quality tobacco brand within the cigar industry, made with a natural wrapper and premium tobacco blend. The brand, developed by Lane Limited (USA), represents a wide variety of tobaccos that are renowned for their aromatic and flavorful qualities. They now manufacture and sell a variety of cigars, pipe tobacco, and fine-cut tobacco for the US market. As a renowned brand, they recognize their products and business require consideration and responsibility in everything they do. Today Scandinavian Tobacco is proud to share the #1 position within the world of cigars, operate as the largest manufacturer of machine made cigars and pipe tobacco in the world, and act as a dominant player in the world of roll-your-own tobacco.

Encouraging the men in your life to take some time off is great for them, and hey, then they'll be more inclined to send you off for a spa day or something, right?!


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Wait, How Many Days Are Left Until MDW?!

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #TENways  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Is it just me, or does the thought of bathing suit season send chills down your spine? My post-baby body doesn't rock a bikini like it used to, so my options are to stick with one pieces, or to kick my butt into high gear and get back into tip top shape. Sure, I workout a few times per week, and I try to eat a pretty well balanced diet when I can, but I like to enjoy a sweet treat too! 


Did you know that Ten Sodas just came out with a new line that has just TEN calories? That's right. You can buy 7-up TEN, Sunkist TEN, Canada Dry TEN & A&W TEN at your local Walmart. We love ginger ale in our house, so I snagged some Canada Dry TEN and we were pleasantly surprised by the full flavor goodness! Now I can whip up a fun and flavorful cocktail or 'mocktail' on the weekends and not feel guilty doing it. 

Over the weekend, we had such beautiful weather perfect for sitting out on the deck and enjoying a drink. I was in the mood for something sweet and refreshing, so I whipped up a fun little cocktail using my Canada Dry TEN. 


What a perfectly refreshing treat! It was a great compliment to a beautiful day, and I didn't feel like I was drinking all of my calories. Canada Dry TEN will definitely be my go-to for this summer. They also come in cans, so they are perfect to pack in your beach bag! Who doesn't love a cold, sweet treat while sitting on the beach all day? 

  
So, now that I've figured out a fun way to incorporate yummy cocktails and mocktails into my diet before bathing suit season really begins, I guess I should go hop back on the fit train. If you need me, you can probably find me doing burpees or squat jacks somewhere in my house.

Next time you're at Walmart, grab a bottle of one of the Ten Sodas flavors and take advantage of the current coupon offer! Get $0.50 off of your purchase of TWO 2 Liter bottles or TWO 4-pack cans of 7UP TEN, A&W TEN, Canada Dry TEN, RC TEN or Sunkist TEN soda. Coupon is available March 27 through April 17 while supplies last. And, don't forget to follow DPSG Ten Sodas on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with other fun deals and promotions! 

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Style Your Spring with Kleenex!

Finally, temps have reached the 60s, and the weather forecast for the rest of the week looks fabulous! I am officially in the mood to throw open my windows and get this house cleaned out for spring. And it goes just like this every year. Time to put away the browns and reds that decorate my home and pull out the blues, yellows, pinks and green for a fresh new look. 

http://r.linqia.cc/f9751d3

Without fail, each year when it's time to spring clean, it's time for my husband's allergies to come lurking, too. And now that I'm working out outside again, the tissues abound in our house. We may both be using tissues this time of year for the same main reasons, but we have much different tastes! Did you know that you can help design your own Kleenex® products? That's right! To celebrate Kleenex’s 90th anniversary, they’re bringing you another innovative first: The Kleenex® Style Studio. It’s a fun, inspiring way to discover more of the Kleenex® Brand designs and products you love. And maybe even a few that’ll take you by surprise. Kleenex partnered with Isaac Mizrahi to create 4 designs which are intended to evoke confidence and inspiration to help you express your personal style and step out of your comfort zone when it comes to incorporating the latest trends. Exclusively on the Kleenex style finder you can watch videos featuring Isaac Mizrahi where he provides his latest style advice and shares his own experience as a design leader for more than two decades.

http://r.linqia.cc/f9751d3

Now I can purchase one Kleenex® Slim Pack set that works for both of us. And, perhaps my favorite Kleenex product to date, the Kleenex On-the-Go Car Wedge! I always carry tissues in my car, but have never found just the right product that remains easily accessible, yet small enough to be out of my way when I'm running around all day, and still not get crushed or lost. Kleenex has solved that problem and now you won't find me without a car wedge pack anymore! 


So, what's your style? I'd love to hear about your favorites!


Many thanks to Kleenex for sponsoring today's story, and keeping my life stylish!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Get Your Mommy Groove Back!

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"This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Figleaves."

When I was preparing to welcome Gavin into the world, there were hundreds of little things I was trying to remember and get done. Since I knew my body would be all out of whack for at least a few weeks after delivery, and I had received advice from several of my Mama friends, I knew to equip myself with plenty of nursing bras and soft, comfortable undergarments.

Now, let's get real for a moment. The undergarments that I purchased for my recovery and 'survival mode' time were not the most flattering, and were definitely not what I was used to wearing when I had time to spend thinking about these things. But, they got the job done, and after I got the 'all clear' from my doctor, I went about my business as usual. 

It wasn't until Gavin was about four months old that I started to feel a little frumpy, and wanted to 'get my sexy back' a little. I'm sure my husband was happy about my revelation. It didn't all happen at once, but it was a slow and steady emergence back to my former normal.

And what woman doesn't want to feel more herself with a side of sexy every once in a while? Especially after you have a baby, your body feels (and looks) different, and your personal hygiene and upkeep take a bit of a backseat to your new little bundle of joy. So once I hit my stride, it was time to spice up my garment drawer a little. 


When I was introduced to Figleaves, it gave me a fun and new way to add pretty and sexy pieces into my garment collection. After all, I am a SAHM who works out a few mornings per week, and runs a small business, so the pieces that I purchase need to be versatile, comfortable and able to fit into my (mostly) casual wardrobe. 



I was pleased with the choices that Figleaves offers; you can't go wrong with a matching set! I am a huge online shopper, and it’s easy to shop online with Figleaves. You can sort by color, style, size, and more, plus there’s an online fitting room and bra size calculator to make it easy to figure out your size from the comfort of your own home! They carry bra sizes A-K and truly have something for every shape and body. Figleaves offers more than 200 brands, including something for every style and budget.  

So, don't be afraid to add a little spice to your garment drawer. It will make you feel a little sexier on the days when you really need it, and I think every Mom should be proud to rock her amazing body! 

And, between now and May 1, 2014, use the code LOVE10 for 10% off of any full priced items on Figleaves.com plus free shipping! 

 
"This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Figleaves."