Gifts for Mom

Moms can be the trickiest people to buy a gift for; they give so much to others and rarely ask for anything in return. They hardly ever make a fuss over themselves.  But let’s be honest, there comes a point when a mom wouldn’t mind something in addition to a homemade macaroni necklaces. So hubbies, adult kids, and friends take note, her are 6 awesome gifts that mom/nana would appreciate.  Trust me; they will be pleased with any or all of these gifts. Each product has received the Mom on the go in Holy Toledo approval!! It was my pleasure reviewing each of these amazing products…..

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Downton Abbey Fragrances

 

When I opened the box and saw the elegant Downton Abbey fine fragrance collection I literally screamed with enthusiasm!!  (I am clearly not as refined as some of the ladies on Downton Abbey  but at least I smell of refinement, haha!)Then I carefully twisted off each cap and tested each sensual and sophisticated perfume.   Each is designed to embody the personality and style of the central female characters of the show, including Anna Bates, Lady Cora, Lady Mary, Daisy Mason, Lady Edith, Lady Rose and Countess Violet.  The collection’s fragrances are crafted in the artisanal method utilized by the master perfumers so highly in demand during the early 1900’s time period during which the show is set, allowing the fragrances to be very close approximations of the luxurious and complex perfumes which the high society ladies of that era actually wore.  And let me tell you, when you are wearing  Downton Abbey fine fragrance you feel sophisticated, whether you are off to the office or in your bathrobe dropping off the kids at school…seriously, it is that amazing!!

And the best part is you do not have to constantly reapply.  The rich and varied scents of the fragrances have been crafted from pure perfume oils, without alcohol, chemicals, additives, artificial colors, parabens or phthalates.  These fragrances are pure and undiluted, vastly different than most perfumes on the market, which generally are up to 75% alcohol. Whereas alcohol-based perfumes evaporate in a rush, obscuring the delicate nuances of a fragrance’s complexity, the richness of each of the Downton Abbey fragrances can be appreciated much like fine wines. Each scent has top, middle and bottom notes that develop slowly after application on the skin, creating a sensual experience that lasts for and develops over a period of hours.  It is this kind of painstaking fragrance artistry that allows the Downton Abbey collection perfumes to reflect the personality of the show’s characters.  Downtonabbeyfragrances.com, $74.99 (8 ml).

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 Light Affection

 

I submitted a photograph of my kiddos to Light Affections and it was duplicated perfectly in sculpture and then combined with a beautiful lighting system that illuminated every aspect of the sculpture, creating a work of art that makes the memory displayed in a photograph seem lifelike and making it even more treasured.  When I illuminated the artwork I was speechless, how did they do that? How did they make the image come to life like that? Apparently it is based on an age-old art form known as lithophanes (Greek for vision in stone), the engraving of an image comes to life when illuminated from behind. The varying thickness of the translucent material creates the illusion of the original image.  All you have to do is email a digital image or mail a physical photograph and the company generates the Light Affection without damage to the original image.  This makes for the perfect gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles, moms, etc. they come in sizes from night-lights to large frames in various styles and shapes. $45 – $239 depending on size, lightaffection.com.

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 Sachi Insulated Fashion Handbags  

 

These are perfect for moms on the go! Sachi Insulated Fashion Bags are insulated and fashionable. I enjoyed showing up at Thanksgiving dinner with these stylish bags that effectively kept the green bean casserole hot and the ice cream and gelato cold! It felt so good showing up with these classy Sachi bags and not towels and brown bags. And best of all, Sachi bags are easy to clean, just wipes clean with a damp cloth.  Handles fold down for easy fit in the refrigerator.  Zips closed and handles fold down to the sides so that you may lay it flat, allowing for easy refrigerator storage.  Comes in a variety of styles and colors.  Retails for $5.99 – $27.99.  sachi-bags.com

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Cushies

There is something so relaxing about taking off your shoes after a long day and slipping on something more comfortable. And these Cushies are precisely what your feet need, nay, deserve!  Cushies are the newest indoor footwear creation from the Nufoot Company. They are padded, soft slipper-shaped footwear, nearly weightless, amazingly flexible and have a breathable mesh top, need I say more?  They are also antimicrobial and both water and skid resistant which I really appreciate on the hardwood floors. Its sturdy neoprene construction makes it durable and comfortable on any indoor surface….even the basement floor where our laundry room is located.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes $19.99, nufoot.com

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 Sound Oasis Bluetooth Sleep Sound Therapy System

 

This is the best! It is a high-quality, wireless Bluetooth speaker and a therapeutic sound and sleep therapy device all in one.  As a Bluetooth speaker, it has a 30 ft. range to stream music from your mobile device or computer.  Its built-in usb-rechargeable battery allows for 5-8 hours of cordless use on one charge.  Super compact size, very portable, but still has excellent sound quality and powerful bass! Just what this momma wants! This little guy is so small but has amazing sound!  And the best part, it has  built-in sleep therapy sound tracks that can be customized to run seamlessly for up to 8 hours….no more sleepless nights (unless you have a newborn or puppy).  Have a spouse that snores? This is perfect for blocking noise! It has  10 different sounds built-in and more sleep/sound therapy tracks/sounds can be downloaded from the SoundOasis.com store or from the Sound Oasis Apps.  $59.99, soundoasis.com

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Clever Crates Folding Utility Boxes

 

Clever is right! As most of my friends know, I utilize laundry baskets for everything! I throw papers and toys in them before guests arrive, put sport equipment in them for games and practice, use them to bring in food from a Costco trip, you name it! Downside to the laundry basket, it isn’t practical to store…and it looks ridiculous. Finally a solution! Pop’em up, fold’em down, Clever Crates are the smartest, easiest way to organize and transport household items. The secret is the unique lightweight and collapsible lift, pop and pack design that creates a spacious container that can be folded, stacked and stored away almost anywhere.  Pop them up to bring gear, drinks and snacks to family activities.  Great for the garden, garage, camping, parties, travel and so many other uses, as well as space-saving and efficient storage.  Ranging in size from 32 Liter (35 lb capacity) to 62 Liter (132 lb. capacity), coming in both open walled and solid wall versions and with or without handles.

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And thankfully Clever Crates are hygienic and easily washed. They are made from durable, reusable, sustainable and recyclable material.  A great alternative to plastic and paper disposable bags and cardboard boxes, Clever Crates have advantages that no other box, crate or basket can match.  Comes in a variety of colors.  $11.99 – $19.99 depending on size

And there you have it, perfect gifts to give mom this Christmas….a great mix of practical and fun! I so enjoyed reviewing each of these products. My life has been less stressful since reviewing these amazing products…that’s not to say my life has slowed down by any means but I now have wonderful products in my life to help manage the crazy and make me smell like a million bucks while doing so!

So what do you think moms? Did any of these products interest you? Are you a Downton Abbey fan? How awesome would it be to get the gift set of fragrances for Christmas? Or how about organizing your life with a few Clever Crates? I am contemplating a giveaway…what product interested you most?

Disclosure: I was given each product to review. No other compensation was received, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Home-Fashioned Chocolates!!! (promo code included)

I was super excited when that Gold box arrived!! Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Home-Fashioned Chocolates!!! It was a rare occasion because I was all alone, all 3 kiddos were in school, and the hubby was at work. I opened up that beautiful box and was greeted by the comforting aroma of those delectable chocolates. For a moment I contemplated keeping that entire box to myself! Yep, they smelled that good! And after reviewing the map of the home-fashioned chocolates made with fresh whipping cream and butter (no preservatives), I decided what would be the harm in just taking one, or two? I would simply remove the wrapper and no one would know they ever existed. Great plan, right!? Wrong!

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One or two became three or four, and before I knew it I had eaten five!! There is just something too darn exciting about tasting the goodness hidden inside each chocolate…..raspberry cream, rum Victoria, coconut mound, chocolate truffle, haystack, need I go on? I apologize if your mouth is watering!  In addition to the chocolates I also received 4 chocolate bars. So, yeah, I ate one of those too! But in all fairness it was an Almond Dark Chocolate Truffle…like I am supposed to have any willpower after reading that! And I would have stopped at the first bite but it was their fault it tasted so good! Haha! It was seriously so smooth, melt-in-your-mouth delicious with a bit of crunch from the almonds, heaven!!!

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You will be happy to know that I did save some for the family and let the kiddos pick out a piece after dinner. They had to eat their vegetables first! A total ‘do as I say’, not ‘as I do’ type of situation. But we will keep that just between us. Haha! The kiddos had so much fun picking theirs out and enjoyed every last bite…one even licked the wrapper, so she takes after her mother. LOL!

I am thinking about bringing these in lieu of wine or cookies to holiday parties. These would make perfect hostess gifts! And if you’re lucky the hostess will sit them out for you to enjoy too! Or teacher’s gift! Stocking stuffer! Spread the chocolate cheer to all!!

If you are seeking the best chocolates this holiday season I recommend Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candies. My readers receive Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates use promo code: usfamily14 http://www.mrscavanaughs.com/

Your sweet tooth will thank you!

 Disclosure: I was given a box of chocolates and 4 bars to review. No other compensation was received, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Holiday Memories: Because no one Remembers Perfection!

It was time for our annual family Christmas picture.  And as most moms know this can be quite a process and is something that doesn’t just happen on a whim. There is much planning, scheduling, and coordinating that goes into the process and at times can be met with a little animosity…let’s just say tights, ties, and the color pink were strongly vetoed this year! Haha!  The entire family cleared their Saturday morning, which is a lot to do when you have little ones with b-day parties, young adults with social lives, adults who are very involved in the church/community, and a photographer who is a mother herself and has her schedule to rearrange.

My mother and I started the clothes preparation months in advance.  Painstakingly trying to coordinate colors. You’d be surprised at how many shades of red and green are out there! We finally nailed it! Then we added a few finishing touches and I took the kiddos shoe shopping a few days prior (Their feet grow too darn fast! I knew shoes had to be our last purchase). The night before I removed all tags and sat out clothes.

The morning of the pictures ran so smoothly, almost too smoothly! Everyone took their turn in the bathroom to get cleaned up, no arguing about anyone taking up too much time. I managed to do the girls’ hair without any complaints of pulling too hard, brushing an ear/face, or pulling too tight. We left the house stain free, hairs in place, and with matching socks, it was beautiful! I was so proud of my family, we did it! We even arrived early!! Talk about a Christmas pictures day miracle! Haha!

Once everyone had arrived we started searching for the perfect background for the picture. And we didn’t have to look for long. There it was!!  A gorgeous tree full of these magnificent leaves a shade of red that perfectly complimented our red and green theme!   It was like fall foliage fate had spoken! Haha! But seriously, it was beautiful! My excitement and anticipation started building when I realized this was actually happening, the perfect family picture!!!

And we were on the verge of perfection…and then this happened….

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We asked our little one to please take off her coat just for the picture and then she could put it back on. And the consequence of that request was a tad surprising. Though, I should add that it was unseasonably cold that early Nov. day. It was 22 degrees that morning, so I can’t say I blame her for refusing to take off her coat. So then this happened….

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And then…this happened….our Christmas 2014 Family Picture…….

 

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The result ended up being far from perfection! After all the time, energy, phone calls, trips to the Mall, perfect background tree, everyone being on time, and this is our Christmas Picture!

I have to be honest; I was a little disappointed that she wouldn’t take off her coat. And though I am not proud to admit it I did try to bribe her with anything and everything I could think of…more screen time, candy, movie night pick, game night pick, you name and I tried, but she did not budge. So we ended up with a picture that was far from the perfect Christmas picture I had envisioned.

On the way home I thought back to my own childhood and all the Christmas pictures my mother had so perfectly composed. Funny thing is I couldn’t recall one perfect picture. Now that’s not to say that they didn’t happen, because they did, or at least a few did, I only know this because I have seen them framed and hanging on the wall. But I do not recall those perfect pictures, getting ready, going to have them done, none of it! What I do recall is the year my sister was only 2 months old and cried during the entire shoot. The end result was me smiling a real cheesy/fake smile and her in my arms beat read and crying. Or the one where my little brother refused to put his tongue in his mouth. Lol! This got me thinking about all my fond memories of Christmas past. And guess what? I don’t remember anything that was perfect! All of my memorable Christmas moments are ones where the opposite of perfect occurred. Like when the Christmas tree slowly fell over and you could literally see it happening when we played back the video! Or when the entire family was seated and eating in the dining room and my uncle announced that he let the cat in, to which my mother replied “We don’t have a cat!” Or the time the dog caught a squirrel. Oh the memories! They bring me so much joy!

I have come to the conclusion that we don’t remember the perfect Christmases but rather the moments that make each and every Christmas unique and special.  It is those unique moments that freeze in time and help us to remember grandma’s contagious laugh, Dad’s amazing patience, and a 4 year olds willpower and refusal to take off her coat. Haha!  Embrace the beauty that comes from imperfection this Christmas and treasure those memories for a lifetime!

Patience Brewster, a designer of Christmas ornaments and gifts, helped inspire this holiday memory post!

Do you take a family Christmas picture each year? Do you have an imperfect memory to share?

 

 

I-X Christmas Connection Ticket Giveaway! (4 tickets!)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas thanks to the frigid temps and snow!  I don’t know about you but I have even turned on the Christmas music. I find Christmas music puts me in better spirits and has really gotten me motivated to start Christmas shopping. Maybe this year will be the year I actually complete all Christmas shopping before December!! Then I can just sit back, wrap, relax, bake some cookies, serve at the local family shelter, enjoy the local holiday attractions with my family, and spread Christmas cheer! I have got a great giveaway that will help you do just that!!

Experience the start of the Christmas Shopping Season at the I-X Christmas Connection November 21-23 at the I-X Center! More than 600 booths, including over 100 new vendors this year, Gift Wrapping and a Shop-N-Drop are just a few of the reasons tens of thousands of holiday shoppers come to this event. Also included are special kid activities in SantaLand like kid-friendly shopping in the Sugar Plum Shoppe, visiting Santa’s house to have their picture taken with Santa (bring your camera!), drop off their letter to Santa in his mailbox and much more! A limited number of Breakfast with Santa presented by Schwebel’s tickets are also available for purchase online. Parents and their little ones can enjoy a delicious breakfast and join Santa to sing Christmas Carols along with Mrs. Claus, their elves, and a few of their favorite friends (tickets include general admission).

Take a peek at some new features at this year’s show:

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Take a trip back to Cleveland Christmas past as you walk through the I-X Christmas Connection entryway, featuring the Sterling Lindner Davis Christmas Tree and iconic replica items from A Christmas Story House. Pose for photos with the infamous flagpole, leg lamp and firetruck.

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Monica Potter
Monica Potter, star of NBC’s acclaimed drama series Parenthood, will be sharing her latest and most personal project at I-X Christmas Connection: Monica Potter Home. Monica Potter Home produces a line of home goods that are locally made by artisans and craftspeople in the Ohio Valley. Each season a new set of unique, high-quality, handcrafted items are made available and we are thrilled to kick off the winter collection at the show!

 

I-X Christmas Connection tickets are on-sale now. Purchase your General Admission or Breakfast with Santa presented by Schwebel’s tickets online or buy discount tickets at any Ohio Discount Drug Mart. Discount Drug Mart is the Official Discount Drug Store Ticketing Retail Partner of I-X Christmas Connection.

For more information on the show, visit http://www.ixchristmasconnection.com

Giveaway: Enter for a chance to win 4 general admission tickets to I-X Christmas Connection!!

To Enter the Giveaway complete the following steps:

  1. Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo on Facebook
  2. Follow @Mamaof3onthego on Twitter
  3. Reply to this post with a comment expressing how many Christmas gifts you have purchased thus far for Christmas 2014.

Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Facebook page Thursday Morning (Nov. 20th 2014)!!

FREE Chocolates! Got your attention? (Promo code included)

The holidays are coming!! And nothing says ‘I love you’, ‘thank you’, etc.. like a pound of chocolate!! Am I right!? But who has the time to make homemade chocolates? And even if you did, who has the talent? Mrs. Cavanaugh!

 

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Time was when Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting.

“It started when my aunt sent her pecan-rolls recipe,” Mrs. Cavanaugh recalled. “I gave the recipe my own touch and started making the yummy specialties. Then I began dipping chocolates. Our friends and neighbors loved these treats, encouraging me to start a candy business. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea.'”

Her husband George and children Carla, Lorraine, Calvin, Colene and Genise rallied, helping Mrs. Cavanaugh fill demands for her homemade sweets.

…In 1972, the family moved to Utah, leaving good friends and their beloved cattle ranch.

“It was a difficult decision, especially for George,” Mrs. Cavanaugh said. “He was excited about making our new venture, which we chose to call Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candies, a great success. We felt Utah was blessed with good chocolates and that we would enjoy – and could compete with – those who pride themselves on making excellent chocolates.”

 

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Millions of pounds of chocolates later, Mrs. Cavanaugh’s candies have earned a reputation for unquestionable excellence….
Ask chocolate aficionados. They will direct those seeking the best chocolates to the popular Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candies. My readers receive Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates use promo code: usfamily14 http://www.mrscavanaughs.com/

Thankful Thursday: Grand Opening & Chance to win iPad Mini

Tropical Smoothie Café is one of my favorite restaurants! As a mom on the go a leisure lunch is often out of the question. I need something quick, delicious, and that will actually satiate me so I can continue running errands for home & work, picking up kiddos, and fulfilling my mommygations (mommy + obligations). My usual is the Island Green, it taste amazing and I feel ready to conquered the world after I drink it…totally energized! Unfortunately the Tropical Smoothie Café located closest to me is in Maumee so I only get my smoothie on when I am running errands on that side of town. That is until tomorrow when one of my motherhood dreams come true and the brand known for its innovative food and smoothies, will be celebrating the grand opening of its 400th location in Toledo!! That’s right, Toledo!!!And they are celebrating in a big way on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014.

 

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The first five people in line at the new Tropical Smoothie Café, located at 5221 Monroe Street, will receive a free iPad Mini, a $25 gift card, and a voucher valid for one free smoothie a week for an entire year. The next 20 people in line will each receive a $25 gift card as well as a voucher for one free smoothie a week for an entire year. The next 70 people will receive a card valid for one free smoothie or food item. This fun-filled event will also have chances to win other prizes and giveaways. Doors open at 9 a.m.

“We’re thrilled to expand our presence in the Toledo area and have the opportunity to share this major milestone for our brand with the local community,” said Julie Munson, co-owner of the new café. “This celebration is a great way for us to thank our loyal customers and gain new fans by showcasing some of our most popular items and giving everyone a chance to win some incredible prizes.”

The new Tropical Smoothie Café marks the third location in the Toledo area, all of which are locally owned and operated by franchisees Bill and Julie Munson. In total, there are 12 Tropical Smoothie Café locations across Ohio.

 

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“Our 400th café opening marks Tropical Smoothie Café’s transition from an emerging brand to a leader in the fast-casual industry,” said Tropical Smoothie Café CEO Mike Rotondo. “We’ve successfully carved a niche as the brand that offers innovative, unique flavor profiles and convenient better-for-you options that resonate with consumers.”

Tropical Smoothie Café’s menu features a variety of options, from handcrafted salads, wraps, sandwiches and flatbreads to made-to-order fruit and vegetable smoothies. Capitalizing on Toledo’s healthier eating trend, the café offers better-for-you menu items, including the brand’s top-selling Island Green Smoothie, made with fresh spinach and kale, and also showcases limited-time food offers such as Savory Island Club Sandwiches and Naughty or Nice Smoothies.

For more information about Tropical Smoothie Café, please visit www.TropicalSmoothieCafe.com.

I will see you in line!!

Space Scouts: Perfect Holiday Gift (discount promo code included)

Space Scouts monthly subscription club for kids is a delightful learning adventure aimed at discovering the wonders of the universe! Each month your child will explore a new place in space — stepping into the worlds of space exploration, space science, and astronomy. Join Roxy and Jett as they scout about the galaxy engaging your child in fun learning activities, hands-on discovery, and exciting challenges. Packages arrive each month filled with fun additions to your collection — magnets, stickers, toys, and more!

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Space Scouts is a stellar vehicle for launching your child’s interest in science & technology! This is not your typical grab-bag subscription box. Space Scouts is a fun, educational experience where each month builds upon the previous. It’s a great way to learn! Price is affordable at $11.95 per month + $3.00 shipping. Discounts for multi-month purchase. Space Scouts is designed for kids age 6+. Visit our website to learn more! 20% discount – Use promo code USFAMILY20 at checkout to receive 20% discount on initial purchase of any Space Scouts subscription plan.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11843&dealid=1813 @usfg

Pig Down a Slide! LOL!

It has been such a stressful morning!! I am sure most moms can relate since today is the day the kiddos energy and excitement levels skyrocket with the anticipation of trick-or-treating this evening! But first the pre-trick-or-treating festivities, school parties and parades. And of course mom is the one who is responsible for making certain costumes and candy/treats are ready.  Now, I wish I could say everything went smoothly this morning but since I have 8 additional hands helping me move things that were supposed to be in specific locations it did not! One child couldn’t find their pants, another left their shoes outside, and the youngest lost her costume all together!! You know what got me through my little mini mommy melt down this morning? I would love to say some inspirational quote or scripture reading but I have to be honest, it was the image of a pig going down a slide that kept me from escalating into the official ‘crazy mom’ mode. Nuts, right!? But for some reason reliving that image over and over in my head has kept a smile on my face all morning…even when my son brought in a laundry basket with dog poop on it (long story…not going to get into it now! Rrrrr!).  You might ask where on earth I would see a pig going down a slide. And the answer is, at The Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey show! They are in town this weekend with their latest show Legends, which we attended last night, and it was Legen….wait for it….dary!!

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We started off our evening with a pre-show where the kiddos could try on some of the costumes, sit on one of the bikes, watch an elephant paint (one of the many highlights of the evening!!), etc. then we made our way to our seats to watch the show.

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I have to honest; before the show even started I kind of had it in mind that we would leave at the intermission. The kids had school in the morning and so what if we missed some silly act with clowns…there is always another circus, right!? Wrong!

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I don’t even feel comfortable calling it ‘the circus’, it was seriously a caliber way above a typical circus, and it was more like a show. There was a narrative, themes, such smooth transitions from one performance to another….the excitement and anticipation kept us on the edge of our seats. At one moment the Tiger got a little ornery and you could hear a gasp from the audience. Another time one the acrobat performers went for a world record…you could hear a pin drop followed by cheers from the audience when he accomplished his goal!! The entire show was so amazing, for a moment I thought I was back at Disney World. It seriously reminded me of a quality performance from the Greatest Place on Earth, Disney World, which I suppose makes sense since Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey is known as the Greatest Show on Earth! So the question that begs to be asked, who leaves the Greatest Show on Earth at intermission? Not this family!

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I am fairly certain my husband and I were equally as excited as the kiddos for the second portion of the show! Haha! I loved being able to get caught up in the narrative, in the experience, in the imagination (at one point one horse came out with wings and another looking like a unicorn…it was so lifelike it took me a second to grasp the reality of the situation), and I didn’t want it to end. As adults we have so many responsibilities and obligations.

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It is important that from time-to-time we turn off our phones and screens, just sit back and watch the show, don’t worry about tomorrow, concentrate on the elephants that are literally in the room! Haha! And the best part, you can take it with you….souvenirs and memories to cherish for always. So the next time your are stuck in construction traffic you will be smiling because you will be recalling that awesome evening you had with the family at the circus and the pig going down the slide. LOL!

Disclosure: I was given tickets to the show Legends, and kiddos received elephant souvenir and other goodies. No other compensation was received, and all opinions expressed are my own.

5 Essentials for Staying Focused when Working from Home

Some may say that taking on a couple Interior Design projects, Photography, fulfilling obligations as a SAHM, maintaining head organizer of a playgroup, homework helper, playing chauffer to after school activities, and having a husband with a job that involves travel and random schedules is quite possibly the perfect recipe for a nervous breakdown. And they might be correct! That is unless you have these 5 essentials for staying focused when working from home.

 

  1. Your time begins now!! Time management is the key to juggling a multitude of responsibilities and obligations. Whether it is the laundry, organizing volunteer opportunities, a kitchen remodel project, editing photographs, or helping the children with homework, time management is essential!! Women often like to boast about being able to multitask but the truth is no one is good at it. Some portion of the multi is always neglected, you can only give 100% and it is always divided up when multitasking…20% to dinner, 40% to children’s homework, and 40% to editing photographs. All 3 are getting short changed. Instead of multitasking grab your timer. Set your phone to silence, and turn off/close all social media distractions. Plan on one hour of uninterrupted work increments…or half hour, whatever works best with your schedule. But remember you ONLY focus on one task/project during that time, giving it 100% of your undivided attention. And watch the quality of your work increase and your stress level decrease.use-this-Thirty-One-Gifts-New-Catalog-Spring-2013
  2. Jazz it up!! Make your workspace your own! Make it personal. Getting organized is much more fun and much more manageable when you enjoy it. It might just be the Interior Designer in me but I have found that when I put a little time into my workspace and organizing it I can’t wait to work! I am a fan of the 31 Bags home organizers…get one for every one of your jobs…organize the children’s schedules, home business, volunteering/service projects, etc.
  3. That’s my Jam!! I work better with music. I find it can relax, motivate, inspire, and sometimes even just comfort me when working. I am a huge fan of Pandora. I like the fact that I can hear similar music any time of day. My station right now is ‘Of Monsters & Men radio’; it is relaxing and reminds me of our summer vacation at the Lake House and long beautiful days on Lake Michigan. Music can help channel an enjoyable experience and the perfect state of mind for productivity.
  4. Let it Go!! Preschoolers understand it thanks to Elsa and Anna, now if we adults could just comprehend the essential stress release of simply letting it go! Bottom-line, people are not perfect, technology lets us down sometimes, traffic is inevitable, snow days happen, and sometimes we fail ourselves. You have the choice to either complain and beat yourself and other up or take note from the infamous Disney movie and just let it go! Tomorrow is a new day. Focus on the problem and resolving it. There is no need to point fingers, make excuses, or defamation of characters. If you made a mistake simply own it and move on….there is no time for self-deprecation.
  5. Workout & Kabbage!! Your physical and mental wellbeing are connected, shocking right!! I had no idea how much until I started an accountability group with my Beach Body coach. I was apprehensive at first but found that a mere 10-30 minute workout during the week days was invigorating! It was like the fog had lifted, and was replaced with clarity and energy. Working out really aids in letting it go! Using my time management skills wisely I set aside 10-30 minutes during the week for Turbo Fire Workouts…abs, upper/arms, and HIIT classes. I know I cannot do more than 10-30. It is vital that you choose a workout routine that works with your schedule….you need something you can maintain for the long term. For me anything over a half hour was not practical and I knew it would be short lived.  Kabbage! I know what you’re thinking, one I spelled Kabbage wrong, and two, it gives you the worst gas, right!? I am not talking about that cabbage silly! Kabbage is just as much a stress reliever as working out, it relieves financial stressors! Kabbage provides small business loans to moms like me who are starting off their photography business and need a little extra dough to cover lens and editing programs. Creating an account is free and can take as few as 7 minutes. After that, access your business line of credit so you can start growing your business immediately!! There are no fees until you draw against your line…and you only pay on what you draw! Kabbage is a much better financial plan than borrowing from friends and/or family!!

 

So, what are you waiting for? Thinking of starting that home business? I am proof that it can be done!! All you need are those 5 essential tips and a little Kabbage!!

 

Are you a business owner or SAHM? What are your tips for staying focused?

 

Simple 4-Ingredient Meals

30 meals for 30 days without repeating a meal, is it possible? I want to say yes, but let’s see if we can do it, mommas! Back to school means no more dinners at 10pm or watermelon & chips constituting a well balanced meal, lol! 😂 So, what are we looking for in meals? We want (preferably) meals that take minutes, that are easy to prep, that only require 5 ingredients or less, and I don’t require spending more than 15 minutes in the kitchen…and we want meals our families will actually eat. Too much to ask for? I hope not. Let’s see if we can crush this goal of 30 & make it 60 meals! Here are four meals to get us started. Share a meal, tag friends, & grab your meal planning calendar and let’s fill this puppy up…I don’t want to have to think about what’s for dinner until October 6th! 😉

CostcomealONE 009

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 Pork Sirloin Tip Roast
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Stir-fry frozen vegetable mix
  • ½ package of spaghetti

Directions:

  1. Place Sirloin Tip Roast in Crock-Pot.
  2. Pour ½ cup of Teriyaki over Roast and cook for 6 hours on high (will need to flip roast a couple times)
  3. Place a 3rd of the veggies in stir-fry pan with ½ cup of Teriyaki and cook for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally. (May need to drain off excess water)
  4. Boil noodles, (follow directions on package), drain, and add noodles to veggies. Mix in noodles so that they are covered with sauce.
  5. Remove Sirloin Tip Roast from Crock-pot and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to veggies and noodles.
  6. Add a little Teriyaki….to taste preference.

Yields 10 meals (We had it for dinner and lunch the next day, super delicious!)

My kiddos loved this one so much they told me it tasted like restaurant food…I take that as a huge compliment.

 

meals3_4_applecrisp 002

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 3 Tablespoon Sweet Baby Ray BBQ
  • 2 dinner rolls crumbled up, thus bread crumb
  • (Optional….if you have kids that like cheese, a little shredded cheese)

 

Directions:

  1. Add beef, egg, BBQ, and roll crumbs to bowl and combine.
  2. Divide mixture into equal mini loaves…makes 4-6 depending on size
  3. (If adding cheese make meat mixture flat, place cheese in center then pinch sides together)
  4. Place in greased oven safe dish.
  5. Heat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 25 minutes
  6. Let cool for a few minutes and then enjoy!

Once I caught our son playing with this meal. The broccoli was trees and the meatloaf had cheese in it, he called it the volcano. And he was the dinosaur that made the land, even the volcano disappeared. Gotta love how that little imagination works. Haha!

 

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Ingredients:

  • Package of spaghetti
  • Prego sauce
  • 1 pound ground meat
  • 2 eggs cracked and beaten together
  • (1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning optional)

Directions:

  1. Boil water…follow directions on Spaghetti packaging…drain noodles.
  2. Brown meat, add Italian seasoning, and sauce…let simmer for a few minutes then remove from heat.
  3. Place noodles in bowl, add eggs to noodles, mix well (be careful not to add to soon after boiling…don’t want the eggs to cook).
  4. Place noodle/eggs into a greased glass pan (13 X 9).
  5. Pour meat sauce over noodles and then cover with foil.
  6. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes.
  7. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes then serve.

Yields 8 servings

I made this when my sister and brother came over for dinner and they loved it so much they asked for seconds! This is a perfect meal to make for company. Add a salad, garlic bread, little wine and voila!

 

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Ingredients:

1 Pork Sirloin Tip Roast

½ of large bottle of Sweet Baby Rays

12 Dinner rolls

 

Directions:

Place Pork Sirloin Tip Roast in crock-pot pour BBQ over it and cook for 6 hours.

Remove from crock-pot (or if you are better than I am, and won’t burn yourself, leave it in crock-pot) and pull apart pork with forks (rhyming words! I clearly spend too much time with preschoolers. Haha!)

Cut open rolls and add pork to each.

This recipe makes a lot of pulled pork! We had it for dinner one night and lunch twice that week….or this could make a great football game day/tailgating party dish!