Category Archives: review

Apr 24 2015
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fashion, review, stitch fix

Stitch Fix #2 and #3

If you aren’t familiar with Stitch Fix then let me give you a quick overview. Every month (or whenever and however often you decide) you receive a box with 5 items that a stylist puts together for you. You try them on at home, decide what you like or don’t and return anything that doesn’t work. No obligation to purchase. There’s a $20 styling fee that can be applied toward anything you keep. And if you keep the whole box you get 25% off. You set your budget and style preferences and they do the rest.  It’s pretty amazing if you have limited time to shop, are stuck in a rut or just want to try some new stuff.

My last fix arrived the day before we left for Disney so I was not able to photograph the outfits before I sent them back. But my last fix was kind of a bust. I only kept one thing and the rest of the pieces either didn’t fit my body or my style.

Last month, I received

1. Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan.
I actually really liked this one. I had seen it on a friend of mine and it was awesome, but she is much taller than me and it was evident when this arrived. It was way too long for my little arms and it fit me really long and snug. Boo.
RETURNED.

2. Sam HI-Lo Short Sleeve Tee.
This one was tricky. I actually liked the look of the shirt, but I had just bought a very similar one at Target before my trip for Valentines, so I didn’t really need this one as well. I was also concerned that the material would be easily snagged if I were holding the boys.
RETURNED.

3. Sherry Embroidery Detail Tank


I loved this one. Light material, which is great for layering and for the summer heat. I liked the colors of the shirt and I wore this on our trip a couple of times.
KEEPER

4. Keone Blouse.
Oh boy. When I saw this in the box I immediately disliked it. It was exactly the same on. Just totally not my taste and looked weird on me. Nope.
RETURNED

5. Queensland Dolman Jersey Top
This was a great shirt, but it was EXACTLY like a shirt I wore almost daily while I was pregnant. I am done with those days and didn’t want to wear a maternity looking shirt. Plus I still have the other one should I ever need something like that.
RETURNED

Pause for an adorable pic of my little dude, Rivan. (Short i sound, remember…not like Ivan.)
So this stitch nailed it. I loved it.

1. Edmondo Stud Detailed Split-Back Blouse

I love this cut and the material and hello BLACK. It’s my jam. But I have a really similar top already and the front was a little short and showed my not-so-toned tummy when I moved around, and that just ain’t gonna work. Plus it had a weird tightness right across my chest, so sending back. RETURNED

2. Kiersten Moto Skinny Jean
I pinned these and have been asking for some new jeans that aren’t plain. These were perfect. They fit great, and I like the moto detailing above the knees. KEEPER

3. Skylar Asymmetrical Knit Zip Up Jacket

This was hard to decide. I really like the style of it, I like that the zipper was asymmetrical and I like that it had pockets, but it was a little frumpy around the middle and accentuated my stomach which is not the plan. Plus its Texas and we are already approaching 90 degree temps so I knew it would be a long time til I can wear this and I’d rather focus on things I can really use now. 
RETURNING

4. Zion Crochet Detail Top
I really loved this one. It moves really well, looks dressy or casual, which I love for mixing it up and is great for solo or layering. I wore this to church Sunday and got tons of compliments. 
5. Faye Skinny Jean
Again, perfect pant. I love this color. It says Just Black, but its more of a gunmetal color. They fit perfect and I know I’ll get lots of wear out of them. 

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Apr 21 2015
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Giveaway, Hellofresh, review

Hello Fresh review plus a giveaway

I have been getting ads in my facebook feed for fresh gourmet dinner delivery services for a while. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me fill you in. 
They offer several menu options. You choose which ones you like, they send you all the ingredients, a recipe and you whip up the masterpiece.

I’ve never been interested in trying it because I love meal planning and cooking. But lately it has been harder and harder to plan meals, get to the store and make the food. My biggest obstacle is getting to the store. With two babies that are just starting to sit up, it’s difficult to put them in the cart and for quick trips I can take them in their stroller, but it’s not ideal.  So I had a coupon code and thought I’d give it a shot. 
So there are two box types to choose from: Classic or veggie. I went with classic. 
Then you get to select your three meals for the week and whether you want it for 2 or 4 people. There are 5 meals to choose from. 
Then you wait for your box to arrive. I was really impressed by the freshness of the veggies. The recipe card was easy to follow and had detailed nutrition information. The only things not included are pantry staples like olive oil or salt and pepper. 
The first meal said it would take me 45 minutes from box to table. It was pretty accurate, minus my few distractions that kept popping their head in, needing me:)

Looks pretty and tasted amazing! Plus I learned a new way to cook my broccoli and asparagus.

The girls didn’t make one complaint about the veggies mixed in. Their were tons of compliments and we all loved it. It also made more than enough. (I selected for it to be big enough for 4 and it definitely could have fed 6 or 7 easily.)
HelloFresh is giving me the opportunity to let 3 of you have an entire week FREE!!!! 
So comment below with your email and tell me why you should win. Contest will end on Friday at 6pm CST. 

Aug 20 2014
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freshly picked, Giveaway, review, sponsored

A Freshly Picked Giveaway

May we break from the regularly scheduled feedings, changings, dishes, laundry, and sleep deprivation to show you one of our most favorite baby items ever known to man. If you haven’t heard of Freshly Picked then please let me direct you to the coolest moccasin your little will ever put his or her feet in!

Not only are they completely AMAZING, but they also have an amazing creator that runs a well oiled business. She started from the bottom and has now developed quite an impressive name for herself. She was featured on SHARK TANK and got a pretty incredible offer.

We have been anxiously waiting to fill up our two pair of mocs and finally have the cute feet to go with the (nearly) equally cute mocs (wink wink).

Stay tuned this week because next Wednesday……drumroll……… I GET TO GIVE A PAIR of MOCS AWAY to one of you lucky readers!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!

You must comment on this post and tell me what your favorite color moccasin is on the Freshly Picked site.

Here’s some pics of Rivan in our first pair of Freshly Picked Mocs in Swimmin with the Sharks. Next up on our wish list is Camo and Neon Green.

Now….back to the grind 🙂

(moccasins provided courtesy of Freshly Picked)

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Apr 05 2014
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Book, review

The Memory Child by Steena Holmes

This months book review is on The Memory Child by Steena Holmes.  I’ve read a couple of her other books  and she is a wonderful author that sweeps you in and unveils the story slowly, saving an emotional twist for last.

The Memory Child did not disappoint. It tells a story of love and loss with a twist. 
The story begins with Diane and Brian who have longed for a child for 12 years. Finally they become pregnant at the same time as Diane receives a major promotion.
Fast forward a year later, Diane is returning to work and life as a working mother with the help of friends and colleagues but slowly starts to realize that the absence of her husband may not be what it seems. 
Jan 21 2014
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Book, Carla Norton, edge of normal, review

The Edge of Normal book review

I have just finished reading Carla Norton’s The Edge of Normal. Carla Norton is a bestselling true crime author (Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box), and now she has released her debut mystery novel,The Edge of Normal. Already receiving critical raves and coveted “page-turner” status from Oprah.com, Carla’s novel is aSilence of the Lambs for a Gone Girl era, and it’s inspired by real-life kidnapping cases such as Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart.


This book will have you hooked from the first pages. It has a slow build that unveils layer after layer of the story with each chapter. It is a story of taking personal fear and turning into passionate heroism. 

About The Edge of Normal: Reeve LeClaire looks like a typical 22-year-old girl, but she is anything but normal. Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive for four years. After a lucky escape, she’s been rebuilding her life, thanks in large part to her therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. When he asks Reeve to help mentor another girl rescued from a similar ordeal, the two bond very quickly. But the more Tilly confides in her, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to support this young survivor, but that she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching her every move.

Apr 18 2013
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baking for good, review

Baking for Good

A few weeks ago Baking for Good reached out to me to see if they could send me a box of cookies to review. Um….YES, you can send me a box of cookies! I’ve been really watching what I’m eating so I was excited when they said they had gluten free and vegan friendly cookies. (They also have dairy free and a host of other options.)

The box arrived and my family was on pins and needles waiting for the perfect opportunity to taste test them. I can say that we have a 100% approval rating for Baking for Good.

With Earth Day approaching on April 21, we were excited that 4 of the cookies were in honor of Earth Day. The girls loved both of the types and it made me think what a cute gift these would be for a classroom party or snack on Earth Day. So go over to Baking for Good and check out all the varieties of flavors and treats they can make for you. The packages start at $14 which is a steal if you are trying to send someone a gift by delivery. Cheaper than flowers and obviously more tasty.

I was going to try to list my favorite, but each cookie was so uniquely flavored and rich with taste, that I honestly couldn’t choose.

We sampled the Earth Day cookies, Gluten-Free Citrus Cookies, Gluten-free Chocolate Cookies, and the Peach Cobbler Cookies.

My stomach was in heaven!

If you are an Instagram fan like I am, you can have your “Instas” turned into cookies. How cute! What a fun party favor or way to celebrate a special event.

The best part of all is that not only do they make amazingly tasty treats, but they are an amazing business to support due to their cause. Baking for Good (www.bakingforgood.com) is a local and
sustainable online bakery with a social mission: 15% of the net proceeds from each purchase will go to a cause in any category the customer chooses. The causes span several categories including animals, education, health, veterans, and more. Over $45,000 in donations has been granted to more than 200 nonprofits in the last four years.

Go check them out!

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Apr 12 2013
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dance, review, shake it up

We like to SHAKE it UP

We had an amazing opportunity to preview the new Shake It Up Dance Soundtrack. If you know my girls or have seen any of our Vine videos you know that my girls are dancing MANIACS. 

So they FREAKED when the CD arrived and we couldn’t get it in the cd player fast enough. They played through each of the 12 songs asking me to tell them the names and now have the entire thing memorized, including the lyrics and the names of the songs. They know their favorites and can tell if the CD is in the middle, end or starting from the beginning. 

Its a fun CD, with good lyrics and great beats. They love it! If you have kiddos that love to dance and love music, you need to head over to amazon or itunes and grab it! 

Here’s a little info on the stars behind the music.

The stars of Disney Channel’s hit television series “Shake It Up,” Bella Thorne and Zendaya (currently seen on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and is one of the youngest contestants to compete), kick off the all-new Shake It Up soundtrack, from Walt Disney Records.
 

The collection of 12 dance tracks is featured on the third season of the hit show.

Highlights include Thorne and Zendaya’s fizzy duet “This Is My Dance Floor,” Zendaya’s energetic “Beat of My Drum,” Dover Cameron’s “Future Sounds Like Us,” and Olivia Holt’s sassy version of “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” Tracks by Selena Gomez, Coco Jones, and Bridgit Mendler round out a collection sure to get the Radio Disney set moving.

“Shake It Up” is the #1 live-action TV series in its time period among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11. The show chronicles the adventures of best friends CeCe (Bella Thorne) and Rocky (Zendaya), whose dreams of becoming professional dancers are realized when they land roles as background dancers on the most popular teen dance show, “Shake It Up, Chicago!

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