Wordless Wed~The last few days of summer

As we wrap up the end of summer activities and get ready for school to start again, let's take the time to enjoy the summer sky. Anyone else dreading the return of school schedules? Seriously the worst part of back to school time.

A new travel favorite..........

When Influenster sent me the Cutex nail polish remover pads to try, I admit I was skeptical. I have tried nail polish remover pads in the past and well hated them. The other brand who shall remain nameless,barely budged the polish off my nails.

The first difference I noticed between these and the other ones I tried was the smell. I have not had removers that smelled this good before! I guessing its the botanical oils Cutex puts in them. The second difference? The remover pads are actually felt.

My thumb nail is the first nail I did. One swipe and my polish was off. That easy!

This is after using the remover pad on my whole hand.

This is after using the same remover pad on all my nails. Not too shabby! If you take notice you will see I only used half of the Cutex pad. Impressive!

Overall thoughts? I loved them! I'm extremely picky about nail polish remover in general but I was impressed with these. The package says one pad will remover polish from all 20 nails and it did. The smell was very pleasant. I loved the fact that the pads were felt. They seemed stronger than the average remover pad. I think these are going to be perfect for upcoming travel trips I have planned.

Overall grade: A
*Influenster sent me a free box of goodies. I did not get paid to review them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

All and all I really enjoyed my Goddess Voxbox! If anyone is interested in more info I will leave my referral code below.
Influenster referral code~ www.influenster.com/r/254717

Can we talk pads?

Last month Influenster sent me a Goddess Voxbox that contained Always radiant pads with flex foam to try. I have used Always radiant pads before. I am a fan of the line and decided to tell you my thoughts on them.

I love how colorful the pad liners look when you open the box. Isn't it pretty?!?

Seriously is that not a cute package liner? Let's face it when it's that time of month, I need something cheerful. Heavy flow and massive cramps does not make me a happy camper. :)

I have found the Always radiant line to not be bulky pads. But don't let that fool you. These pads can hold a lot. *TMI alert* I am an extremely heavy flow kind of gal. Sometimes it looks like a crime scene. Yes. That bad. I have found the Always pads able to handle me.

They do come with wings. They are also scented. It is a very light scent.
Now my thoughts about them. Always pads really do work on keeping me leak proof. I try not to go more than 5 hours overnight with the same pad so I can't say if you can go longer than that. The sample I was sent were the regular size. I wish they were a bit longer. I usually go with heavy or overnighter pads for the length. I can't use regular during the first half of my period. The other thing I would change would be making them scent free. I'm not a fan of scented hygiene products but that's just me. Overall, I did like the Always radiant pads and would purchase them.

Overall grade: B

*Influenster sent me a free box of goodies. I did not get paid to review them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

All and all I really enjoyed my Goddess Voxbox! If anyone is interested in more info I will leave my referral code below.
Influenster referral code~ www.influenster.com/r/254717

Influenster Goddess Voxbox

Last month I was lucky to recieve a Goddess Voxbox from Influenster. I had no clue I was in the running for one until I recieved an email from Influenster saying it was on the way. When the box arrived I did not know what goodies it contained. I didn't watch any spoiler videos because I love to be surprised on what the box has in it. Sometimes it does vary on items per Influenster. Ready for a look?!?!

It honestly contained products I would have picked out for myself. Some of the products I have used before and a few I have not. The first thing I noticed were the Downy fresh protect. I have used unstoppables before so I'm not sure what the difference is between the two. I am excited to give these a try. I love love fresh smelling laundry. I mean who doesn't? Right?

The next thing was Cutex nail polish remover pads. I have tried other brands before but have not worked out for me. (I was able to try these before I post this and let's just say, they work wonders! One pad removed polish off all my nails. Woo Hoo!)

Pantene Expert was my shampoo and conditioner that I received. I have used this product line before. Those who know me, know I have used Pantene products back in high school. And that's a mighty long time! :)

I also received Always Radiant pads with Flex Foam. This is another brand I have previously used before. There will be a review on this later.

The next product I got was Dickinson witch hazel toner. Which was alcohol free!  I have never used this before and was curious to try it. I have found most toners dry or burn my skin. This one did not! I will be buying this one when I run out.

One of my favorite things I got was a SinfulColors nail polish. It was a porcelain matte in the shade Glazy Sunday. I'm not much of a matte kind of gal but I did like this one. The shade was a light purple/pink hue. I was impressed it lasted a few days before chipping.

The last thing in my box was a code for Ebates. Ebates is where you can shop online and earn cash back. I was already signed up for ebates before recieving this box. If anyone is interested in Ebates I will leave my referral code below. Ebates link~ http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=Z8grJ7Alm2WaxwN2ZVeG4g%3D%3D&eeid=28187

All and all I really enjoyed my Goddess Voxbox! If anyone is interested in more info I will leave my referral code below.
Influenster referral code~ www.influenster.com/r/254717

*Influenster sent me a free box of goodies. I did not get paid to review them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Enough...

Dear cold/allergies/sinus infection,
You have invaded our home for the last two weeks. Some days the migraines you have brought have made us unable to function. Lasting for days and days. It is now time for you to visit others. Please leave. Nuff said....

Signed one tired Mom........

Wordless Wednesday

 

Some gave all.......

Happy Veterans Day to our millions of military personal. Past and present. The sacrifices that you make as well as the family you leave behind, are ones us civilians will never fully comprehend. There are not enough words to thank you. You deserve more than you sometimes receive.

I pray where ever you go today that you are treated like the Hero you deserve to be treated as.

Thank You!

Batteries.....

I think as Moms we forget to take the time out to do something fun just for us. It doesn't have to be anything grand. It could just be enjoying a cup of coffee by yourself or with friends. Or maybe just getting your nails done. A small activity to recharge your batteries. Yesterday I had a rare chance to hang out with some great friends. Our county was sponsoring a tour of local shops in the area to visit. The shops would offer special deals and sometimes games to play. Snacks and beverages completed the tour. While we girls all had a rare opportunity to get out,our locals shops got our business. Win. Win. To me the best part of the tour was checking out new places many of which I have never heard about. We all spent the day laughing and talking about making this an annual event. Although the tour was designed to help local businesses it was us it helped more.

Reconnect. Recharge.

Saturday Sales

Vera Bradley is offering an extra 25% off everything in their sale category until Sunday.
http://www.verabradley.com/section/Sale/785.uts

Victoria Secrets is having their 7 undies for 26.00 until Nov 11th.

I haven't seen any other sales for this weekend. I'm kind of bummed.

Flashback Friday

What was your favorite thing about the 80's?
Mine would have to be the movies. Plain and simple. Some of the best movies came out in the 80's. Ok. Maybe just in my mind. But seriously. Star Wars Return of the Jedi. ET. The Goonies. The Adventures in Babysitting. Dirty Dancing. The Outsiders. Many John Hughes's films. A man who defined 80's films from Uncle Buck to The Breakfast Club. I'm honestly not a fan of many movies today between the plots and violence. Blah! Horrible.

So tell me your favorite thing.........

Throwback Thursday

A little throwback picture from our hunting cabin that was taken a year ago. I realize most people use a lot older pictures for throwback Thursday. One of the many reasons I haven't been blogging is we lost the family hunting cabin in a fire this past winter. It unfortunately burnt completely to the ground. We were not able to save anything. We are extremely grateful that the two people who happened to be at the cabin that fateful weekend made it out alive. Barely. Hubby and the rest of the family have been spending many weekends up in the mountains trying to rebuild it. My children miss the place dearly. Pictures and memories.

Wordless Wednesday~candy

Trick or treat! Or as I like to call it"sending your children out to beg your neighbors for candy that you can eat when they go to bed." My son's candy stash after Halloween. Anyone have recipes that use Halloween candy? 

22 years ago.....

22 year ago tonight I was sitting in a hospital room. I was scared and excited about the rest of my life as I looked into my first born daughter's blue eyes. I dreamed of her future and wondered what kind of person she would become. As I sit here looking at my grown up daughter, that night so many years ago,only seems like yesterday. I have watched as she has grown from a quiet reserved girl into a mature well spoken young woman. She has completed collage and now has her dream grown up job. So far. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of watching her in action at her new job. I was in awe of her poise and maturity. People much older than her were asking her for advise on how to do their jobs. I watched her point people in the right direction without batting an eye. Never once did her confidence quiver. It's a great feeling to know the life lessons you taught your children are paying off. I pray that she always has the confidence,poise, and maturity that she has now. That she never looses her ambition and drive. Most of all I pray she doesn't lose her zest for life......

Happy Birthday Cheerleader! May all of your dreams come true......

Nov 4

Sorry not much of a blog post today. Google is acting weird today. Either I can't log in or it logs me out if I leave the page. Very frustrating. Anyone else having problems?

Nov 3~Fall foliage

One of the best things about living in a state with four season changes. The beautiful changing colors of our leaves. My absolutely favorite part of fall. This was taken last weekend on our last camping trip of the season. As you can see the leaves are just starting to change to their vivid colors. We have had high winds the last few days and I'm afraid most of the leaves could be gone by this coming weekend.

What is Autumn like were you live?

Nov 2 Shopping Saturday

I was thinking since Christmas is 52 days away,that I will post sales from online stores as well as brick and mortar stores that I hear about. I truly hate the fact that stores are pushing Christmas earlier and earlier each year. What I hate even more is how rude people get in the stores. Every year I tell myself I will get the shopping done by Dec 1 and just enjoy the holidays. It.Never. Happens. Anyhoo I thought if I do a post on sales at least once a week maybe one of us can find some great deals and finish shopping way before Christmas. We finish our shopping and wrapping early,you know what that means??? More time to enjoy the cookies!!

These are the only sales that I know that are going on this weekend.

Target~has 50% off all Halloween items. The costumes make great dress up clothes for the little ones on your list.

Vera Bradley online~http://www.verabradley.com/category/Sale/Online-Specials/947/pc/785.uts I'm not sure how long this sale is going on. Vera makes great gift  for the girls on your list. I have found the wristlets make excellent gifts for the tween and teenage girls. I often buy them on sale and have them ready to go for exchange gifts for my kids. Slip a gift card in it and it becomes a huge hit.

If you hear of any sales please feel free to leave a comment.

November 1st

It's the day after Halloween and that can only mean one thing. No. It's not let's eat all of the good candy our children collected last night. All though that doesn't sound like a bad idea either. :) Today is the first day of BlogHer's NaBloPoMo. If you are not familiar with it,where have you been? Just kidding. Everyday in the month of November I will blog,post pictures, or chit chat. Or all of the above. I realize I haven't explained where I have been hiding for the last few months. I'm thinking instead of one big wordy several page post that I will just blog bits and pieces through out the month. I have missed blogging as well as reading so many of your blogs. I look forward this month to catch up with all of you. Hope to chat soon.....    

Happy first day of school....

Happy Labor Day. A day late. Hope everyone is enjoying the official first day of school. Our children actually went back to school last Monday. Whatever happened to going back to school after labor day??

 I believe this is the longest I have ever taken a brake from blogging. I do plan on doing an update post this week. The last few months weeks have been busy and this week is no different.  Hope everyone had a great summer!

Hope to chat soon........

Show me what you make or sell.....

Today on Kelly's show me your series is all about what you make or sell. I heart this topic. I love me some crafts! This is my honest humble disclaimer moment,I do not have artistic abilities. I am not one of those people who can draw or paint beautiful pictures. I have tried. Boy have I tried. Art teachers have asked me to not come back again. Joking. Sort of. Anyhoo. Years ago when my girls were pretty small I decided to teach myself how to sew. My oldest daughter loved the American girl dolls and my two younger girls loved baby dolls. Those American girl dolls and clothes are pricey! I bought a couple of patterns and fabric and I never looked back. I made the girls dresses to match their dolls clothes. I've made costumes for school plays. I have made them Halloween costumes. I have made doll diaper bags as well as baby diaper bags. My most prized craft was a doll quilt I made for my Aunt's little girl. I used my Dad's old dress shirts. She was named after my Dad and I felt it was something she should have. It was a small project that took a long time to complete because I couldn't stop crying. Rough project. I really developed a love of sewing. I also do cross stitching but for some reason I always come back to sewing. I couldn't find pictures of all of the things I have made. I didn't realize how many pictures I had until I started looking for some of my sewing ones. I really do like taking pictures. HA!

This past year I was stumped on what to get for teacher presents. By the time the fourth kid comes along,you have bought every gift possible for teachers. A couple of my teacher friends have confessed to me a lot of the presents they receive they have no use for. I have been making these melting snowman for years. I know some of my son's teachers drink coffee and some like Vera Bradley. That's when the idea was born. I made them melting snowmen that they can use for winter decorations. I bought each of them a Dunkin Donuts gift card. Instead of the usual card holder I bought them each a Vera Bradley zip id. I use my zip id to hold all of my gift cards so I thought it was a win win!

This was the original plan. I wanted to use Vera Bradley fabric to make the hat and scarf to match the zip id. Each teacher was to get their own fabric. I just could not find enough fabric to make 4.  Bummed. I'm not sure what I am going to do this this one. Isn't she cute??

This a chef costume I made for my son a few years ago.

Pirate costume I made 2 years ago. He loved this one so much he wore it two years in a row. As I find more pictures I might add them today. Not only is it my birthday but I am heading out the door to my son's pre school graduation ceremony and don't have time to look for more pictures. If I get a chance later I'll add other pictures. Don't forget to visit Kelly's site and link up!

Wordless Wednesday~guess who is 6?