EDIBLE // MAMMA CHIA

We are a family that is go-go-go. If ever there's a break in the action I often don't know what to do with myself. Here's a look at yesterday, for example:

7:00  wake up, feed kids, everyone dressed

9:30 kids loaded in the car on our way to mom's bible study (that starts at 9:30)

11:30 small snack + kids loaded back in car on the way home from ^

12:00 grab another snack + head to the park in the triple stroller

1:00 home for lunch + naps

Obviously I don't know what your days are like but I'm guessing, if you've got kids, they're something like ours in the sense that there's not a lot of meal prep time, food planning, etc. My noms (up to this point in the day) consisted of: cereal + toast with pb for breakfast, donut hole at bible study, large glass of water at the park along and my life saving Mamma Chia snack pack. This preggo was feeling a little light-headed from the combo of good quality camaraderie and rushing arounded-ness mixed with a lack of nutrition. I made the best snack choice I could have grabbed: green magic Mamma Chia squeeze. Not only do the ingredients include chia (duh!), plenty of fruit and life-improving veggies, each pack also includes 1200 mg Omega-3, plenty of fiber, and weighs in at only 70-80 calories. Those are some pretty hefty snack qualities. I sported mine at the park and was able to feed me (+ baby!) with one hand, push a swing with the other! :) My only gripe? I wish take-along snacks came in compostable (or at least reusable) packaging. Green the Earth! But you saw all their great brags up top, right?

We also "drank to our health" their vitality bevvies and were not disappointed in the least. Make life easier, tastier + healthier and get yo'self some Mamma Chia, you + your family will be glad you did!

  YOUTUBE // PINTEREST // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // FACEBOOK  

I was sent the above mentioned products to taste + share with you. I was not financially compensated for this post, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions herein are 100% my own. Photos used with permission.

GIVE // SWEET LUCY JACK LEGS!

The weather has been warmer here (only slightly) and that makes me hopeful for a moderately new wardrobe for all the kids. I have this habit of putting them into clothes that are WAY too big for them just because I get tired of seeing them in the same ole thing. Anybody else? Maybe it's just a mom-of-super-tiny-preemie-babies-thing.

 

Luckily for the boys Sweet Lucy Jack - another of our fave Etsy places to hang -  wanted to make them stylin' this last couple winter days. Along with their Birthday superhero shirts they've been sporting super comfy dude legs (leggings) and momma has smiled a happy heart smile. I love putting these two in something that is 1. stylish, 2. comfortable and 3. perfect for hot and cold temps. The last one can be a doozie when they tell me their favorite summer pants are fleece-lined jeans.

 

Dayr calls his black and white checkered pants his "racing pants" (I think from the movie Turbo) and Taylen loves the giant Elephants. Nothing girly about those legs, accept the fact that they're three-years-old and still so cute and petite (which is why their leggings look a bit big - oops!).



  Win a pair for your little lovie (boy or girl!) - giveaway is now closed -  Cortney is the lucky winner! Please email me at handsandheartsmorethanfull @ yahoo.com to claim your prize! Thanks to everyone who participated!   Entry is easy, just: 1. Visit Sweet Lucy Jack on Etsy 2. "Favorite" her adorable shop - no problem! 3. Leave a comment here with the name of your favorite pair.   4. For extra entries:  pin this post to Pinterest.  follow SLJ on Facebook follow SLJ on Instagram [@sweetlucyjack] follow SLJ on Twitter Be sure to let me know you did!   Contest ends March 21, 2014 at 12:00 pm EST. Good Luck! All Rights Reserved  - Open to US Only!   And as always, please:

PRODUCT // JENJENHOUSE.COM

The following is post sponsored by the online dress + accessory store www.jenjenhouse.com.

I try hard not to let moments pass me by. Right now we have three potty-training kids. After that it will be three learning to swim (we live in the Great Lakes state, after all - water safety is a must!) then before we know it we will have three in middle school, then learning to drive (Lord, please prepare my heart), then three interested in girl/boyfriends and finding a date for the prom. Me oh my.

 

Often I'm able to stay in the moment with the kids and "be present", without thinking too far ahead. I often enjoy them while they learn to jump with two feet (Ayara has just mastered this) or repeat lines from a favorite movie like "Scorch me, baby!" (thanks to Escape from Planet Earth). But on occasion I find myself daydreaming about what their futures will hold. Will they learn to ______, will they want to _____. The answer is I don't know.

 

This past week I found myself thinking about Ayara's wedding. WHAT?! Should she choose one day to get married it could be similar to mine: 2500 miles away from family + friends, in an elegant yet simple dress from the local mall, with only my future-husband and mother present, married at the Justice of the Peace in downtown Reno, NV. OR it could be worlds different: destination location, large crowds to help celebrate, and elaborate gowns for the production of a lifetime. Whatever the case may be her decisions will have my support, and until then it's fun to dream.

 

In August the boys get their first chance - other than Halloween - to dress up like little gents. They'll be ring-bearing in a wedding for my sweet cousin Quinn and her awesomesauce fiance Josh. When she asked me I burst into the most hilarious laugh/cry I've ever been part of. It was a moment I won't forget for many (some embarrassing) reasons. Luckily for me Ayara will have plenty of opportunities to practice her formalities, too.

For example, Prom. I can envision her wearing something as elegant as these numbers

or, because we fill her world with inspiring prints with sayings like "Don't be like the rest of them, Darling!" she may do just that and choose something wild like this:

TOP 6 REASONS TO SHOP  www.JenJenHouse.com:

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JenJenHouse.com understands the importance of your event, which is why we only provide the highest quality materials and designs in everything we deliver.

Look Your Best on Your Special Day
From bridal gowns to evening dresses, you deserve to look your most fabulous during your big event. JenJenHouse.com turns your fantasy into reality by providing exceptional couture bridal fashion and impeccable design at affordable prices.

Right to Your Door, Anytime, Anywhere
The last thing you need for your special event is a late delivery of a crucial item (like a wedding dress or essential party supplies). JenJenHouse.com puts your priorities first and ships across the globe with such as DHL or UPS.

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Online shopping can be intimidating in our modern age of Internet fraud. But it doesn’t have to be that way. JenJenHouse.com offers a secure and safe shopping environment for all customers.

Always Looking Out for You
We understand that preparing for your big event can be stressful enough. That’s why we deliver world-class customer service to ensure your shopping experience at JenJenHouse.com is as smooth and pleasant as possible. Whether you have questions before you order or after your items have arrived, we have experienced customer service professionals available via live chat or through fast response ticket system. From the beginning to the end of your shopping experience with us, we are dedicated to making you happy.

Check them out for yourself today!  http://www.jenjenhouse.com/Prom-Dresses-c18/

STYLE // OMBRE AND MOCC TRENDS (and a giveaway!)

 

 A shoe is not just a shoe.  It connects us to the Earth. The right shoe can transport us... make us believe we are capable of more. (Elizabethtown, 2005)

Are you and I anything alike? If we are you might share my feelings about a good quality shoe. I'm not talking something with about gadgets and whatnot, but about heart-felt design and a sole that allows your soles to feel the earth they're on. Maybe I lost you in some hippy dippy talk, or maybe you're nodding right along and wondering where you can find such a gem. If the latter is true, I highly recommend a self-made-mama store like Starry Knight Design on Etsy. Melanie hand crafts each foot ornament for the little loves in your life. Leather, Nubuck, Suede, timeless - these are all words her shop knows well and thrives by. Don't be afraid to fall in love, either, whereas some moccasins can run you half a hundy or more hers are sitting pretty at just under $25.00. That is a steal for the deal you will get.

She didn't forget the mama's though! Check out these beautiful leather cuffs and stand-out leather head bands, too.  And grab a favorite bevvy - you're going to be there a while.

Just like nothing can compare to quality duds on your feet, the same can be said for one's hair. It's an outward expression of our inner self. For my daughter that means: playful, colorful, and fun. I fell in love with Sweet Things Bowtique for her clippys. Not because there are more options than days of the month, but because Rachel has an eye for what's trendy, and what speaks to one's mood. Ayara is sporting the blue ombré bow, but also loves to play in floral, metallic polka dot and mint. Heck she loves them all mostly because of the easy-on-and-off alligator clips that she doesn't detect with her super sassy no-bow sonar! Stock up for your tot at just $5.00 a pop! It's an easy no frills way to dress up any little babe's style.

 

// Just in time for St. Patrick's Day a couple lucky readers are going to win big with the luck-o-the-Irish! One reader will win a set of St. Patrick's Day themed bows from Sweet Things Bowtique AND a pair of Starry Knight Design Moccasins. A second winner will receive a three pack of St. Patrick's Day Bows! To enter follow the links below and leave a comment when you're done with each. Winners chosen 3/10/14 via random.org. Open to US only. All rights reserved.

 

 

Follow Starry Knight Design on Facebook

... and Instagram

... and 'favorite' on Etsy

 

Follow Sweet Things Bowtique on Twitter

additional entry methods available via Sweet Things Bowtique on Twitter!

... and Instagram

 

Follow our Blog on Bloglovin'

... and Instagram

extra entries available on our Instagram!

 

Good Luck!

 

please vote for our cutie on Top Baby Blogs by clicking here. Thanks, friends + happy styling.

SIMPLE // NOTES ON GARDENING

 

"I want it all, the whole far-flung earth and everything in it. I want streams and hills, rivers and seas, mountains and pastures. I want a whole, happy earth. And when I'm not being overly ambitious about my environmental desires, I also want a garden with a little bit of everything in it. These two desires are not unconnected: my happy earth will, in part (and no small part), be achieved by my ability to grow a large percentage of my food in my garden, in a way that does not devour resources."

 

These are poetic words from Alys Fowler's new book The Edible Garden, How to Have your Garden and Eat it, too. - aka our gardening guidebook - as we embark on what will (hopefully) be our most successful garden-growing year yet. I say that with a smirk because our philosophy for the garden last year was "if it doesn't grow there it doesn't go there" and we were adamant about not "wasting" water on the garden and simply letting nature do her thing.  Well, that's precisely what she did and her thing was crusty, and dry, and bug-laden sooooo this year we have renewed our spirit when it comes to creating in our own back (but mostly front!) yard.

 

There are neat tips + tricks we've learned just from skimming the pages of this book. It's written like a love note to her (Alys') existing/developing garden. The care she takes in nurturing it and giving it every fighting chance to survive and thrive is akin to that of a mother and child. Her love for the art of gardening has started a botanic fire in me.

 

What I've learned so far (in a nutshell):

1. Growing a garden in neat lines and rows is a Victorian-era throwback. I figured it's just what gardener's do but but as Alys describes it planting in drifts can be much more functional and beautiful.

"It's this rule-breaking style that's won my heart. I have set out on a journey to make an art out of supplying my kitchen. I can only guarantee one thing: there will be no straight lines."
 

2. Gardening isn't just a horizontal venture. Thinking outside the box is only occasionally my strong suite. My eyes are like a child on Christmas morning when thinking about the possibilities of building growth upward and outward with tools like: string, old branches, ladders, thrifted pallets (make sure they're not chemically-treated!) etc. What's more: those upward growing beauties create a space of shade underneath that is a unique environment for a whole other slew of growth!

3. Newcomers aren't limited to what's available at the store. There are certainly a great variety of plants available at any local plant market, but those seeds often come full of limitations. They may have been chemically-treated, unethically raised, damaged, or even labeled F1. The latter, as my husband recently shared, are seeds that grow one season but cannot be grown again from the seeds they then produce. More about that here. Heirloom seeds are a good way to go, too, if you want to save your own seeds and replant them year-after-year. Alys speaks to responsible foraging for plants which has my attention. We tried a bit of family foraging last year with great success, but never for plant parts before. I'm always down for a brand new adventure!

 

photos summer 2012, Dayr

What unique gardening tips are you implementing this year? I'd love to hear from my readers any other yard tricks we can incorporate. Spread the love and the knowledge! 

Get 10% off led grow when you shop at www.AccessHydro.com. Valid until March 2014.  

GIVE // GOOSEWADDLE

-- this giveaway is now CLOSED --

 

It seems that the pregnancy bug has chomped everyone around me. There are bumps and babes popping up faster than I can say baby fever! Yes, even with three tots of my own I definitely get baby fever, after all - my youngest will be two in April. I digress. SO with all the babes around, what's a good friend to do? Give them amazing lovies, of course! I love nothing more than gifting a cuddly, snuggly blankie that reminds mom and dad and tot that I think highly of them and want to cover them in love. That's where Goosewaddle fits in. They're fairly new to the baby swag market and make the softest blanket known to baby's bum! If cashmere married clouds and had a fluffy baby Goosewaddle would be it.

 

My children, albeit three-, three-, and almost two-years-old, thoroughly enjoy rubbing the sweet plush against their faces. What's more is that Goosewaddle has an awesome Buy 1, Give 1 campaign happening. You purchase a Goosewaddle blanket + one gets donated to a child in need. Talk about a blanket with a lot of heart. That's even more my kind of gift, one that reaches farther than the eye can see.

Maybe you're like me and you've got mamas-to-be all 'round your spaces. Perfect! Now you can WIN a Goosewaddle set of your very own! Just visit their site and leave me a comment below telling me one new thing you learned about them. That's it! I'll give an extra entry to anyone with a unique comment at the end of the contest (something no one else has mentioned, including me, up there ^) One lucky winner will be chose on Monday, February 24th and notified here, so be sure to check back then. Open to US residents. Enter as many times as you'd like (each entry a new comment). All rights reserved. Good Luck!

PS - if you like what you're reading please take a minute/click and vote for us on Top Baby Blogs, ensuring we can continue to bring you sweet swag!

>> Update 2.26: The winner of the goosewaddle set has been picked! Bethany (comment #4) is the lucky mama-to-be and winner, thanks for playing everyone!

I received the above mentioned products in exchange for a fair and honest review on my Blog. I was not compensated in any other way. Regardless of compensation, I do not recommend products for my readers that I do not personally believe in. All opinions are 100% my own. Photos used with permission.

SIMPLE // GOODBYE DEBT

When Bob and I first got together we were great with our money, it was just the two of us most of the time and we had few bills and few expenses. Life was pretty dang tasty. The chaos came with our very unique twin birth and it seems we've been treading water ever since. At least until now.

 

Rewind to about a month ago when we started taking a class through church called Financial Peace University (FPU). You guys, for real, I've never been so on fire to accomplish something money-related before in my LIFE! There are seven "baby steps" in the program, they are:

 

1. $1,000 in an emergency fund.
2. Pay off ALL debt using the "debt snowball".
3. 3-6  months living expenses in savings.
4. Invest 15%.
5. College funding.
6. Pay off your home early.
7. Build wealth and GIVE!

So far we have made it through, drum roll please -- step one! But the reality is that our debt will be gone in a little over one year and we will FINALLY have some wiggle room, after three years without it. When I say we don't wiggle I mean we: have no cable, are downgrading our cell plans and selling our iPhones, do not buy Birthday, Christmas or Holiday presents, eat a lot of rice and beans + much, much more. It will be so refreshing to feel a crisp dollar or two in my wallet and get to spend it on something straight from my head!

 

Some of my greater dreams are becoming a reality, too! Once there is NO debt to worry about we can afford to travel, entertain, and eat amazing things again! The latter being something we did before we had kids, and severely miss now, even though Bob is amazing at making something out of nothing.

 

If money were no issue I'd love to experience all of this and more:

 

 

photos: top / one two three

  

PRODUCTS // LET'S POTTY BOARD GAME

 The Holidays bring out an I-want-to-play-bizarre-o-amounts-of-board-games side of me that literally cannot be tamed. That and an obsessed-with-crafts-like-it's-life-or-death side, but that's a story for another day. I don't know if you've ever tried to play a board game with twin toddlers but it's sort of like vacuuming and then shaking the entire contents of the dirt bag onto the just-cleaned floor, and then taking a nap and pretending it wasn't you. There are good intentions in the beginning, but after just a short time you've created a giant chaotic mess and no one is interested in the final outcome.

 

When we found the Let's Potty board game, however, that didn't seem to be the case. This game is designed for potty-learning tots ages 2-4 and their parents to play together. We opted to start while Ayara was napping so she wouldn't feel left out, being only 18-months-old and all.

 

Of course Taylen and Dayr were ecstatic. They've never played a board game before! Taylen was pretty hung-up with the playing pieces they come in two pieces that need to be "assembled", after that step he was content to hold his piece, and do nothing else. We read the short and simple directions aloud and began playing. The cards are a nice thick cardboard material, they stood up well to our two destructors. With help reading the cards the boys - especially Dayr - caught on with lightning speed. In fact they were so into it that they seemed to get annoyed when Bob or I took a turn.

 

The play continued on simply enough, but the game was a little long for our rug rats. From start to finish it took about 30 minutes to complete, nothing for a patient adult... lifetimes for an ever-moving + curious toddler (or two). We rushed through the end and the boys were exhausted when it was over.

 

On the super super bright side, we started potty training/learning shortly after playing Let's Potty! and the boys seem interested more now than ever! Day one had zero daytime accidents. The night brought zero accidents again from Taylen, but a wet bed from Dayr and plenty of restless time for mom, dad, and the twinkies. Day two brought first poos they were holding it before I'm sure and popsicles for rewards. Don't judge.  

 

In case you're wondering we took the "cold turkey" approach. As far as the twins are concerned, diapers no longer exist for them. They are spending a lot of time naked and we're doing a lot of laundry. Oh and my secret weapon: leftover pads from when Ayara was born, courtesy of the Hospital, between the boys' mattress pads + fitted sheet to absorb.

 

I recommend this game to anyone teaching a tot the potty. If nothing else it was a fun, light-hearted family memory that will last and last in my head and apparently not well on film, hmmpfh:

 

I apologize for the super poor quality photo,

but it's the only one I could snap on day #1 between

happy potty dances (me) + laughing at their hilarious pottying faces (me again)!

[Dayr, Taylen]

PRODUCTS // A BOOK ABOUT SANTA

The second week in November isn't early for snow to be flying here in Northern Michigan. In fact, it wasn't even early a few weeks ago when we saw flurries and hail. Winter is the one time of year that just happens to last six months where I'm from that I dread more than any. In middle school I was a downhill skier and so looked forward to dominating hahaha the slopes. In high school I tried my hand at snowboarding but for me the going-from-forward-facing-to-sliding-down-sideways didn't jive.

 

Now I wear big girl panties and manage the goings ons of three tots daily sooooo needless to say I dread the winter months. Correction: I dreaded them. I am currently harnessing everything in my power to make them more bearable and thus less my least favorite time.

 

Obviously I'm not a scrooge. I LOVE Christmas and all of its surrounding Holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve which just happens to be my anniversary! and on and on.

 

One thing that makes the cold months more doable is the opportunity to see little or huge hints of magic + wonder in my kids. If you're a parent reading this you know exactly what I mean. Just last month my twins discovered that cold nights outside meant they could see their breath in the air. Not only was it a riot trying to explain to two-and-a-half-year-olds what was happening, but they were in awe of their newfound abilities! Pure bliss.

 

Bob and I stumbled upon a site that designs personalized stories for kids and had a book sent over for Ayara for this upcoming Christmas. Put Me In The Story books can be designed for ANY occasion and are adorable to boot.

 

 

 

The book is a large hardcover with ample pages of Christmassey goodness to read. It features Ayara's name on both the front and back cover, as well as a personalized message and photo of our choice! This book retails for $32.99 but stay tuned over the next few weeks because we will soon be GIVING one away! Ho Ho Ho + Thanks for reading!

  I received the above mentioned book in exchange for writing about Put Me In The Story. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions herein are 100% my own, I was not required to write positively.

PRODUCTS // ORAL CARE

Yes this is a Blog about my family + my children but do ya wanna know something fun about ME? Okay! Even as a young girl I LOVED to brush my teeth! I looked forward to going to the dentist like a disgustingly huge amount, and flossing and rinsing were some of my faves. When I was old enough I even utilized my own hard-earned money to buy whitening strips and keep my pearly whites, well... WHITE! My teeth have always been a point-of-pride, earning me compliments and questions about dental care + braces never had to wear them, to answer your Q. But deep down I know that my love of dental hygiene stems from a memory with dear ole dad. At the first house we lived in I remember him brushing my teeth and - oops! - "accidentally" plopping some paste on my nose, or my cheek. It made me laugh, and made tooth care that much more fun.

 

Now that my children have full sets of chompers it's my turn to carry on the good hygiene legacy. With manual toothbrushes Taylen + Dayr now nearly three-years-old  could do an adequate job but often had tiny pieces of food still stuck before bed. Yuck. Ayara could not care less about the brush, she's just happy to suck down a bit of paste now and then. A trait I'm sure she inherited from me, I used to hide and eat toothpaste after every dental visit. Ick.

This past week we tried an Oral-B Pro-Health For Me Rechargeable Power Toothbrush. The difference I've seen in the kids' brushing is like night and day! Taylen my extremely sensitive child took to it best of all. We started by feeling the vibrating bristles on our fingers, and testing the brush on mom. After all of that exploring he was ready to get his mouth clean in a fun new way. I saw bits of cheese that had settled into his tooth caverns lifted right out, as well as a tiny little chia seed immediately dislodged. That was enough to count me in as a true fan.

"The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation: America’s ToothFairy® (NCOHF) is dedicated to eliminating children’s preventable suffering from pediatric dental disease by providing programs and comprehensive resources to deliver community-based critical preventive, educational and treatment services.

 

Formed in the U.S. in 2006 as a collaborative effort of clinicians, academicians, corporate leaders and caring individuals, NCOHF supports the delivery of oral health education and care at the prenatal level. Pediatric dental disease can have devastating social and economic consequences for vulnerable children and families. America’s ToothFairy serves as EDUCATOR about the importance of oral health, PREVENTER of disease and PROTECTOR of children."

 

Visit America's Tooth Fairy + sign your child(ren) up for the ToothFairy kids club where they'll receive tips, activities, and a personalized letter from the Tooth Fairy! Facebook + Twitter, too!

 
  I was sent the above mentioned toothbrush as compensation for this post. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions herein are 100% my own. I was not compensated in any other way.

PRODUCTS // ETSY SPOTLIGHT

JB Exclusives Jewelry is unlike anything I've seen before. If you want to talk about attention-to-detail and skill, her jam-packed Etsy shop is the place to look. Think of a piece of jewelry perfect for any occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Christmas, Easter, just because... there is something for everyone here. Hand-stamped and individually loved, each piece can be as unique as the wearer. I chose a three bead pea pod to represent my three babies. What shall I do when we have more, I wonder? Two shades of green for my twin (fraternal) boys, and a light purple for baby girl. Their initials "T, D & A" are all hand-stamped onto leaves at the top of the pod, and it hangs delicately over a lengthy golden chain. Plus Jen + I represent the same side of the country (she designs in IL, I live in MI) so we're practically sisters, too! Be sure to scope her Facebook as FB friends ALWAYS get 10% off in her shop using code FBFriends10.
 

 

 

***

The Paper Nut is just that- nuts about paper! Jeanie makes gorgeous prints depicting nursery decor, family life, alphabet scenes, you name it. You've really got to look for yourself to appreciate the unique ways she displays. I'm addicted to her mermaid prints. Mermaids? Really? YES! They speak to me! She made a custom print for us depicting me (mamamaid) and the three tots. I just die when I see it - so clever! Be sure to check out her amazing array, and come up with a design you think can stump her. Be warned- she's versatile to the MAX and ready to meet any buyer challenge.
 

 

 

See The Paper Nut on Etsy / Scope The Paper Nut FB Page

 

Enter Your Etsy Shop on the Link Below!

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 and please:

PRODUCTS // MOBILE SAFETY APP

The following is a sponsored post from React Mobile.

I'm not going to beat around the bush with this one. Companies approach bloggers all the time to review their apps, and as a general rule I say no. Why? Because it takes a long time and usually I have deleted it before the review is done. There are so many apps to choose from. But not this time.
 

I was approached by a representative for an app called React Mobile to write about their new personal safety app. After taking a skeptical look, I couldn't download it fast enough!

 

 

React Mobile is an app that, after downloaded, learns your location and contacts. With that information while you're out jogging, walking the dog, off to the grocery store on a near-empty tank of gas - whatever the case may be - you can send out an SOS if something spooks you,  you get in a bind, the dog wanders off, you run out of gas, or the unthinkable happens - someone is following you, approaches you, or worse.

Sending out an SOS on React Mobile does not trigger a 9-1-1 call necessarily, although that is an option. If you're just in a pinch (run out of gas much?) it sends a message to only your chosen contacts and asks for help.

 

This video describes what React Mobile does better than anything I could type here:


video used with permission
Best yet- it's free, free, free! That means zero reason to be "out there alone" - doesn't get much better than that! No excuses.

Available on iPhone + Android now, Windows version coming in 2014 - keep an eye out!

Personal safety is of utmost importance to me. You'll recall I experienced a terrible tragedy with a friend earlier this year; she was struck and killed while riding her bike home from work. While this app probably wouldn't have been able to help her (she was abiding by all laws, never had a care in the world, etc.) it certainly helps me rest easier knowing that someone is on the other end of my phone waiting for me if I twist an ankle on a walk or run into the neighborhood unchained dog, or worse. If I'm not being safe for me, I'm being safe for my family, my husband, and my kids because, let's face it, they'd be lost without me! Pun intended.

 Um, yeah - they're definetly worth being safe for! Swoon  

 

please, as always:

  React Mobile compensated me for this post. I was not required to write positively about React Mobile. The opinions herein are 100% my own.

PRODUCTS // DRESS FIRST - WEBSITE

 

 all pants + suspenders c/o Mamas & Papas

 

The following is a sponsored post from DressFirst.

 

This past weekend we attended the Weaver Family Halloween Party, put on by my talented mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I was literally speechless at arrival. Their barn was transformed from a

boat-harvesting vessel to a creepy, dark, cobweb-filled Halloween palace.

 

The food made me queasy, giant's foot, brains, cat litter cake, undug graves, the list goes on-and-on

The decor scared the kids, And the atmosphere was phenomenal! We all had a sugar-infused blast dressing as our alter-ego counterparts. Bob was a Doctor, I was Bob Marley, The Twins were Country Folk (hillbillies?) and Ayara was P!NK. And she was pretty stunning, if I do say so myself!

There's nothing quite like seeing your 18-month-old in lipstick, hairspray and blush for the first time. It was a little like an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras... Which I'm not proud of BUT she did have a blast!

 

Yes, dress-up time is officially upon us. It's the time of year (sort of, well, it's right around the corner anyway) to gather with family + put on the 9's. Luckily DressFirst.com has dresses for all occasions  

read: Halloween, Prom, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Kwanzaa, Anniversaries, Christmas, weddings, Hanukkah, New Years, whatever is in your bag - all coming up in the next three months plus! Needless to say there is no shortage of reasons to buy a pretty frock! 

 

 

When I go back in time to Prom I picture me wearing this understated beautiful number. I can see this dress on Christina Aguilera when I watch The Voice. And at my husband's company Christmas party this year I'll feel like a million bucks in this dress. feel like a million, spend about $100.00 - great bargain + free shipping!

 

So what are you waiting for? Do your closet a solid and add a DressFirst dress to your wardrobe stat! One look and you'll see this is something you'll own + wear proudly for years to come. They're timeless, priced right + abundant in options .

Shop DressFirst here.

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This post is a sponsored post from DressFirst. The opinions herein are 100% my own and I was not required to write positively about the company. I appreciate each and every one of my sponsors for helping keep my Blog afloat!