Do you need some help with the household chaos?

Do you ever feel like you are cleaning or running errands constantly and missing out on valuable time with the kids? I know in my house I try to keep things organized (which is an epic failure) and try to spend time with my daughter but something has to give! I then heard a great little saying "clean less, play more". I thought to myself I must know the secrets of Stephanie O'Dea the author of Totally Together. She has created a great book/planner full of tips for organizing your life with shortcuts and useful reminders. The book includes seven daily chores that anyone in the family can do in just minutes, yearly, seasonally, monthly, and weekly chores divided into bite-sized chunks, household tips and cleaning shortcuts, guide for setting up meal plans,fun, fast recipes, reproducible grocery list with check boxes, an action plan for keeping the entire family organized, and much more! The tips section is an easy read that quickly and efficiently gets the house organized and ready for the daily seven. I have only just begun my adventure but I know that with all the available tips and a little practice I will be enjoying my daughter more and having a tidy house that seems to take care of itself!

Can't believe it is almost August!

August will begin next week which means we have a few weeks to have our last summer barbecue-after that everyone will be back to school and very busy! Now let me tell you about my last experience with our outdoor party. It was my daughters birthday and early June so we set up our canopy and put all the food underneath. You would think that the canopy would be perfect and provide all the shade needed but it was an epic failure! My poor daughter's cake melted and we had tiny bowls of melted cheese. It seems that the canopy does not cause as much shade as I thought! Well I just knew that there had to be a clever something available to solve this problem. Much to my delight I found the ezShade. Now I have two simple words for this product-pure genius! Let me show how this product works before I tell you about all the great things it does!

The ezShade is very light (20 oz) and I was able to put it up all by myself. It does in come in many varieties including a shade for umbrellas, 8x8 canopy , 10x 10 canopy, and you can even customize. Every ezShade comes with a matching tote making it super easy to take anywhere! The product is universal and attaches to any umbrella or canopy-I can personally vouch for this because it worked great on our canopy and on the in-laws canopy we borrowed over the weekend. The shade is UPF 50+ and blocks 99% of harmful sun rays. So where can you buy an ezShade? They are available at Babies R Us, Toys R Us superstores,  and Bed Bath & Beyond (online).  I am very excited to have our last summer fling and not worry about a pot of melted cheese!

Interesting read for anyone struggling with finances

Since I have decided to be a stay at home mom one thing stresses me out more than anything-money! We have so much debt- credit cards, student loans (I swear even if I was a CEO I am never going to be able to pay these off!), house payment, car payment, and on and on. You see when we were both working and it was just us my husband and I were very careless with credit- let's just call it young 20 somethings that wanted to see the world and own everything. Since moving and finishing college along with edging into my 30 somethings I have since learned what is necessary and what is just fluff....but I still have to pay for all the "toys" that we collected over the past few years. So as usual when I get desperate I google things like how to pay off debt and how to make a million dollars. Ok so the last one was just for fun but when I did type in millionaire a list of 10 things millionaires follow came up. So the writer of this list has his own website called I will teach you to be rich. The page is full of interesting articles on how average people have been able to dig themselves out of debt and learn to handle their own finances. I love that the site is broken down into relevant tabs like earn more money, buying a house, and automate your finances. Now as I have said I am not looking for investment tips but found a ton of little ways to handle what we do have a little wiser and pay down debt. I found a great little diagram dealing with your personal finance system that breaks down how much should be spent and how much of your check should go to bills, savings, and overall debt. I was actually surprised by how much money we still wasted when I broke it all down on the chart. If you are anything like me and need things spelled on paper or just need some tips on how to make your finances work for you definitely look around the I will teach you to be rich website-I am sure you will come away with at least on great tip!

Amazing clothes and amazing deals!

Now that I have lost a little weight it was time to treat myself to a new shirt-not to mention fall is around the corner and I desperately need a few new things! Now I still want to lose a few more pounds so I do not want to spend an arm on a leg on something that may be too big next year. I am also planning on buying a few of the hot style pieces for fall and let's face it the clothes will not be "in" next fall so why waste tons of money? So I happened to stumble across this great site called 15dollarstore.com and guess what everything is $15 dollars! I mean everything-shoes, sunglasses, pants, purses, jackets, and on and on! Now I ordered this black shirt with a lace back and it is beyond perfect. I have washed it several times and it has not faded into that somewhere between grey and black color. I was very impressed with how fast the shirt shipped and right now if you buy 7 things you get free shipping! I have been back on the site several times to look at the great kids and men's clothes and can't wait to get all my daughter's back to school. Look at this amazing trench coat-it would cost $95 elsewhere but you can buy it for $15! 

Here another one of my favorite things: 

Clothes are available in a variety of sizes included plus size and run very true to size...they are not those misleading sizes where if you are a normal medium you better get an XL because it is a "junior size". I am so in love with this store and can't wait to hear what great deals you find!

Losing Weight & Feeling Great!

I am still sticking with working out and am losing weight slowly :) I figure it took me two years to put all the weight on so if I give myself a year to lose a little then it will actually stay off and I will be happier long term! So I have been trying many different types of workouts to make sure I do not get bored and to find something that can be fun and beneficial. So while looking for the perfect workout I came across X-Pole. Now I know that some people can be self conscious and think that "stripper aerobics" is not for them but I went in with a very open mind...after all this was the fitness craze for awhile so how hard can it be? Oh my let me tell you I do not have the upper body strength and energy that I thought! After one workout I thought I would die of pure exhaustion...I have run and swam for hours and never felt to tired in my entire life. Now the best part of the workout was that I did not feel like I was working out! It was so interesting to learn how to use your body and muscles and that I did not even know existed. So of course I am now in love with my Kendra Wilkinson Sport Pole and it really is something I can do for myself. Now I know what you are thinking-who wants a pole in their house when company comes over? The pole fits in an easy to carry black bag that I can slide under the couch when I am not working out. It fits ceilings up to 8ft 10 inches and can be put up and taken down in a matter of minutes. The pole has X joint technology and has a great adjustment system to increase/decrease the height of the pole from the base.  I was actually super surprised at how quick I was able to put the pole up and take it down by myself.  I have even had my husband try the pole to make sure it is safe and it did not budge an inch or leave any marks on the ceiling or floor.  I am very excited to learn more and increase my workout over time! Here is the carry bag:

Self Improvement week continues!

Now I have my hair under control and the weather is starting to cool a bit I think it is time to add a little makeup to the mix. Now I am not one for getting up hours early to get ready for the day but when we go out I like to look nice :) So I have enlisted the help of Lumiess Air.  This amazing product has been featured on the doctors, life & style, tyra banks, good morning america, and many more! Now when my package first arrive my first thought was "what I am thinking I am no makeup artist-I better send this back!" then the adventurous side took over and I thought "ok if I look like a clown nobody will see me but my dog".  So I tried it and guess what not only was it super easy to use but I actually looked fantastic (not to gloat but I look like a million bucks-really!) So now I am hooked and guess what it does not take long at all! Other than making my skin look amazing Luminess Air has many other benefits including a weightless makeup look, minimizing wrinkles, pores, and uneven skin tone, and it is trusted by dermatologist because you are not using sponges which can cause cross contamination. The package comes with a great dvd and clear instructions. Picking your ideal color is easy and all of the different colors are available online. Trust me if I think using Luminess Air is easy-anyone can do it!

Another Baby is arriving this week!

I am beyond excited a new baby girl will be arriving this week. Now my dear friend will be having an amazing little girl and I cannot wait to help her accessorize and dress up that little peanut in all the frill and lace before she is old enough to know better...flash forward to my day our little princess went out in a dinosaur cape and elmo slippers! So of course before this little joy arrives I want to give her mom a small shower to fill in all the gaps of things she is missing. All of her family is so far away and I don't want her to miss out on the fun of making a bow center piece out of present ribbon and cute little favors. Now I thought I had more time to do more research but alas her tiny one will be here a few weeks early. So with little planning and a blind eye I have set out to make this a shower to remember! I have a great idea for the cake so now I just need the games and favors. Lucky me there is an entire FREE website designed around planning the perfect shower. ebabyshowergames is so easy to navigate and has saved the day....we all know that I can barely get things done let alone try to come up with clever ideas for games while my dinosaur/elmo runs around yelling for snacks! The site includes two distinct tabs one for planning any game and the other for all printable games. Since some of my guests do not know each other that well I find a great "so my water broke" ice breaker game. First person who has their ice cube melt wins-no skills needed which is fantastic since I know not everyone is loves trivia games. I was also able to print a really cute word search and a to z game. The games already had cute graphics so I literally just had to hit print! Now I am all set to have the best baby shower possible and nobody has to know that it did not take me forever to plan!

Win a prize pack from Yester Year Soap.

I love summertime because our house if always filled with endless guests and constant noise. We live just far enough away from family where they can't visit every weekend but having them stay over the summer is always an added treat. My only problem with my wonderful company is our "guest room" I use that term loosely because my husband decided he needed a studio which means my nicely decorated addition has become a futon and a small dresser. Since I cannot add to the magical of the room I try to make the bathroom as welcoming as possible which means fancy soap, shampoo, and cute little matching towels. Thanks to Yester Year Soap Company my dreams of a complete matching bathroom have become a reality! I have deiced to go with blue and the company has a soap that literally looks like clouds and smells like heaven! The soap is all natural with no added chemicals and hand made.  The company offers a large variety of scents with different options including soap loaves. I just cannot put into words how fragrant the soap is...from the moment I opened the package I knew that I no longer needed an air freshener to mask any smells in the bathroom because the soap was so fresh that the smell fills the air each time someone would wash their hands. The company even offers gift baskets for all occasion and my favorite part-they do not test on animals!

Another Overage on the Cell Phone Bill!!!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TracFone for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ugh I have had it with this crazy cell phone overage. We now have one cell phone with a bill higher than most of our utilities and that is ridiculous. I have seen all these commercials about pre paid phones and am actually surprised at how many of my friends are trying to move to an economical plan.  The phone that I have decided on is TracFone.  I am very excited that there are no contracts, credit checks, activation fees, or cancellation fees. I do not have to worry about paying a huge fee to get out of a contract because I either have to choose groceries or the cell phone bill! After looking around the page I also found that TracFone offers tons of great phones from  Motorola, Kyocera, LG, Nokia and Samsung. I also get to keep my smart phone and my husband can choose the standard "candy bar" phone.  There are many options available including a pay per month option or the one year service card option-imagine an entire year for only $119! I am also excited that you can call internationally for the same price as you call domestically-Tracfone is the only wireless service that allows you to call internationally for the same price as any other call! The reception map is fantastic and I have no worries that we can all stay connected while cutting our bill!
Here are some great videos for more on TracFone!

Here's a video from real TracFone customers

Here's one more video from real TracFone customers

Looking for a great bag for summer?

I officially do not have to take a diaper bag most places these days and it is beyond liberating! Now I still have to pack snacks, extra clothes, and all of my things but I get to have a trendy bag from Nicole Lee USA that actually enhances my outfit instead of sticking out like an eye sore! My bag has several great pockets and details that are incredible. I really do feel that my bag was handcrafted just for me and I love all the compliments I receive on the color. I am very pleased with how functional the bag really is and all the pocket space available to fit whatever life may throw my way! Here is one of the newest arrivals from Nicole Lee:

 

 Nicole Lee offers a variety of accessories including jewelry, accessories, and of course great bags! There are bags in a wide variety of sizes  and styles-Nicole Lee truly has something for everyone!

Extreme Heat=Frizzy Hair

My hair is beyond frizzy and crazy this week....time to get out the flat irons and curling irons to help with this crazy mess! Now I never really had much interest in my hair growing up but with all the pressure from the new mom's I meet looking amazing at 7am I decided to update my look and add a quick 5 minute step up routine. Now I really did not have a great idea what to look for so I enlisted the help of my hairstylist cousin and she recommended the Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron.  Now I just had to find what I was looking for at a great price which led me to the Flat Iron Experts. My Babyliss Pro eliminates static electricity, neutralizes odor, and causes less damage to the hair cuticle. I was very pleased with the overall (I love the red barrel) size, and the dual voltage feature. It easily fits in the cupboard and is perfect for on the go travel. I also love that the curls really hold in place and there is a 2 year warranty!  Flat Iron Experts offers free shipping on qualifying orders and has a low price guarantee. The site also offers how to videos for those of us that need a little hair help :) Who doesn't love getting exactly what you are looking for at a great price? Here is my newest hair care addition:

Trading Phases-Win some great artwork for your wall!

Are you looking for a quick fix to accent any room? I know we have gone back and forth on adding accents to my daughters new room but do not want to go and paint everything again just for her to change her mind in a year or two.  I also do not want to hang up a bunch of art work since the holes from the nails will last long after we change the room around a billion times. I do like to move the house around when I get antsy so it is best to stick with simple art and pieces that I can move around freely-thanks to Trading Phases I can now easily change my mind and decor without having to worry about repainting and plastering holes. Trading Phases is a great wall decal and design store that offers endless choices and ideas for every room. I was very pleased to be able to simply click on an idea and have them give me tons of possibilities that I did not even think possible! My daughter's current obsession is butterflies and here is our wall decal:

The decal arrived quickly and it was easy to peel pack the design and use the tool provided to apply everything. Trading Phases includes details instructions on how to apply your decal and a self help video link if you are still unsure-the process is super easy! We were able to get the new butterfly up in no time and the best part is when it is time for a change our paint and walls will remain in tact!

Hurry-not only can you win a gift card but Trading Phases has a video contest running with a chance to win $400!

Amazing Litter Box-Really I am amazed!!!

So I am a little sad to admit that we have more animals then we do people in our home-we have 4 cats and 2 dogs and the amount of maintenance it takes is ridiculous! Now scooping the boxes everyday used to be no big deal but lately I feel that the litter and the constant cleaning has got to stop or the cats need to find a new place! Of course we have had our fur babies for over 10 years so just getting rid of them is not an option-they are part of our family and we need to figure out a way to make this work. So I did some research and spent and insane amount of money on a cat box that is basically a glorified cat toilette and guess what 2 of my 4 cats would not use this new box because it did not use litter so now I was out a bunch of money (said company has a horrible return policy) and a cat that now thinks it is ok to go to the bathroom outside of the box because the cleaning granules of the past box were not his cup of tea. Well back to the drawing board and we got an automatic box with the rake arm-once again total disappointment. It scared 3 out 4 cats and did not even scoop all the litter up-basically another hot mess and waste of money (this one could be returned thank goodness!) Then in a last ditch effort I decided to try out the the Litter Robot. The name sounded fun and what else could possible go wrong? So this great box arrived and we read all the directions. It was super easy to set up and the whole top rotates to empty the litter into a nice cleaning pan below. We put our most cooperative cat in and watched the Litter Robot work its magic. Amazing! So we moved on to the rest of our cats and guess what-4 out of 4 cats are using the box! No more scooping, no more haste-I simply empty the the drawer that has a bag in it and I am done (no special bags required-works great with regular kitchen bags). Now what about the machine moving while a cat is inside? The step used for the box actually times the cat's entry and exit so roughly seven minutes goes past before the box cleans itself. If a cat wants to get in while the unit is moving the sensor also stops the rotation. I am telling you if you have a stubborn cat and have tried all other boxes out there I would definitely watch all the videos on the Litter Robot. It comes in three great colors and is very large inside (we have a couple very fat little fur balls). The Litter-Robot works just fine with any clumping clay litter and also accommodates a wide variety of litters, not just the premium clumping clay litters.  Litter Crystals, Pearls, and bio-degradable litters such as World's Best Cat Litter work well in the Litter-Robot.  The Litter-Robot also offer free shipping to most states and has a 90 day money back guarantee! Here is the amazing Litter-Robot:

Check out Litter-Robot on Facebook and Twitter

Finally put in the new flooring!

So after years of going back and forth about ripping up the carpeting my husband has finally agreed and we have all new floors! I am overly excited to pick out the flooring for each room not only because it will be a nice change to the beige carpet but because I get to redo all the curtains and bedding! Of course I have a budget and while wandering around the stores I could not believe the price tag on some of the curtains! I mean I want a curtain that will actually keep the light out but not cost me and arm and a leg...so of course the online search began and I was able to find Baby Bedding Zone.  At first I just looked around for some cheap crib bedding sets for my daughter's room and was amazed at all the choices. I am thinking of keeping with an animal theme in her room much like the safari nursery and found this cute zebra print crib bedding. Can you imagine how cute her room will be in zebra print with wood floors and pink curtains! Speaking of curtains I now am the proud owner of a nice heavy set of curtains from Baby Bedding Zone and could not be happier! I personally have the Sterling Annabella Palm Beach curtains which are lined to keep light out and 100% Egyptian Cotton. They are super thick and just the right accent for the marble in the family room. What is my ultimate favorite part-I can actually wash them in the washing machine at home....if they get covered in toddler grime or pet hair no problem I can toss them in and they are good as new without looking any different from the day they arrived. The company also has free shipping on qualifying orders and a 110% price match guarantee. If you are looking for a quick cheap change that will make a huge difference be sure to check out all the girls crib bedding sets and curtains. 

Ready to win a Twooth Timer?

What is a Twooth Timer? Well it is this adorable little shaped tooth that teaches children how long they should be brushing their teeth. We tried singing songs and everything possible but it seemed like an uphill battle...my daughter loves to use the kitchen timer to keep on track so I just knew that the Twooth Timer would be our saving grace! Well the fist day she was very excited to be able to turn the timer and keep track of her progress-now she likes to brush the tops for "one tooth ring" and then the bottoms for "one tooth ring". I was surprised to find while reading up on the Twooth Timer that adults spend on average less than 35 seconds brushing their teeth-yikes what kind of example is this for our children? I now have also started brushing my teeth with the Twooth Timer and am surprised that I really do not think that I was giving my teeth the full 2 minute recommended brush down before I was conscious of my decision. If you have a child in your house (or even want to get the best care for your teeth) I highly recommend the Twooth Timer. I can just imagine now cute little gift baskets for back to school featuring my kids favorite toothpaste, character brush, and a Twooth Timer!