Daydreaming Realist

Want Your Car Loan Paid Off by Cars.com? Show your #newcarface for a chance to WIN!

2014-10-31T13:47:00.000-04:00

This post was written by me and sponsored by Cars.com

Anyone else thinking a second vehicle would be nice to own? I'm in the market for a fuel-efficient SUV to accommodate my lifestyle. My car was actually purchased brand new and I can't even tell you how happy I was about owning a new car! It was shiny, black, cd player, two doors and wonderful on gasoline. There's just an amazing feeling you get from knowing that your car is new, under warranty and it's spotlessly clean both inside and outside. Buying a new car (or new-to-you car) is a luxury that we can all appreciate. However, now that I'm not 18 and I have a child (and pets), I definitely want an SUV in addition to my small car. I really have my heart set on a Honda CRV; I'm a huge Honda fan and I love the spaciousness, safety and reliability of Honda vehicles.

Have you made the switch from a small car to larger vehicle before? What did you choose?

Wanna WIN up to $25,000 towards paying off your new/used vehicle?!

Luckily for all of us who are buying new (or used) cars--or recently purchased one--Cars.com is offering a contest for one lucky winner to have their car loan paid off! Everyone knows that Cars.com takes the drama out of car shopping, but now they’re taking it out of new cars by paying off someone’s car loan up to $25,000. That's huge! I need this so badly and I know you do, too, so let's get on it.

All you have to do is...

1. On Twitter: Upload a photo of your new car + happy new car face. Use #newcarface and mention/tag @carsdotcom in your post.

2. On Instagram: Upload a photo of your new car + happy new car face. Use #newcarface and mention/tag @carsdotcom in your post.

3. On Facebook: Post a photo of your new car + happy new car face on the Cars.com Facebook wall (as a new post). Be sure to use #newcarface for your entry to be valid.

To view more examples of #newcarface entries, additional Cars.com contest details and rules. Open to legal US residents (excluding MD, NJ and TN), 18+ who hold (or whose immediate family member holds) a qualifying vehicle loan or lease. Begins 7/29/14 at 8:00:00 am CST and ends 1/2/15 at 12:00:00 pm. CST. Prize value up to $25k. Subject to the Official Rules. See Official Rules for full details, including eligibility criteria and qualifying vehicle restrictions. Sponsor: Cars.com, a division of Classified Ventures, LLC. Please do not include any personal information, like your license plate number. A “New Car” is considered a new or used car bought or leased on or after 1/1/2012.

Good luck and have fun! Be sure to tell your friends and wish them luck, as well! :)

xoxo

I might become a professional fish walker.

2014-10-03T20:12:00.001-04:00

My jam today

Staring in Her Eyes by Richard Hell & The Voidoids on Grooveshark

Well, it's been an interesting week. I found a soaking wet bird in the field and it was hopping all around, but couldn't fly. I took it home and wrapped it up in a towel to help it dry off. I had to finish getting ready for an appointment, so I decided to try out "bird wearing" so I could get my makeup done while the bird relaxed~it worked! After I got my face and hair done, I took the little bird outside and it flew out of my hands to the trees. It was such a nice bird, too--it never tried to peck me--I think we had a spiritual connection ;) lol. Stuff like this makes me happy. I'm such a Earth-loving, bird-hugging person. I'm glad I got the chance to do this for such a sweetheart. I used to do stuff like this a lot when I was a child/teenager, because my grandma (Nanny) had bird nests all over her yard and the babies would fall out and need a little help~and there I was, right on time lol :)

Today, there was a humongous turtle crossing through a busy parking lot in the rain. People came out to help it along and make sure it didn't get hurt. I wish I would have seen it, because I was in the same parking lot shortly before photo was shared. He was there, I was there, but we missed each other. I'm glad he's ok.

I'm looking for more side work to do since it's hard to make it on just my day job. While I was looking at job listings, I found this gem! "Family needs someone to walk 4 fish and 1 dog." ha! How interesting would that walk be?! Tiffany, professional fish walker. I take tanks on tours.

What have you been up to lately?

xoxo

Enter to win a Suave Friday Family Selfie prize pack!

2014-09-28T21:54:00.002-04:00

This post is sponsored by Global Influence. All opinions and personal photos are my own.

"The happiest people are those who appreciate what they have."

I read that quote somewhere and I really love the truth it holds. We're all living in a "hurry, move, go-go-go" kinda world, so it's nice to slow down and make time to actually enjoy life and time with our family. Its easy to overlook how lucky we are when we're wrapped up in our routine. I like to tell myself "just slow down and look around" when I start to feel overwhelmed or bothered. The truth is, I usually realize I'm in too much of a hurry and I'm thinking ahead and not seeing what's around me--my son's smile in the rear view mirror, the pretty ducks playing in the water puddles next to the road or the fact that I have a car and everything I need in life. I'm lucky in so many ways and I appreciate it the most when I just slow down and notice it all over again.

My family lives life beautifully by making time for playing outdoors, going for walks through our neighborhood and giving back to the world each day. We donate items to others who need it and do volunteer work with local organizations (church, for example). Life is beautiful because love is all around us. There's nothing I love more than peaceful moments with my child as we look for mushrooms after rainy days, or taking my pups out to play and watching my dog, Chelsea, have a staring contest with the cat {Chelsea always wins}. :)

How about you? How do you live life beautifully?

Capture a moment of your family living beautifully

Suave wants to see how you live life beautifully with your family (whoever that includes for your life/location). Each week 6 new winners will be drawn to receive a $175 Walmart prize pack!

How to enter: Enter to win a Suave Friday Family Selfie prize pack by snapping a photo of you and your family and posting it to Instagram.

Step 1: Take a family selfie (or use a recent one!)

Step 2: Post it on Instagram using the 3 hashtags: #suavefamilyselfie #LB2LB #Walmart

Step 3: Fill out this form and submit your Instagram link.

Tips: To get your Instagram link visit instagram.com, log in, and find the link to your photo. It will be in the format of http://instagram.com/p/YOURPHOTOID.

To retrieve the link from your Instagram mobile app, go to your profile picture on the app, click the "..." in the bottom right hand corner, and then select "Copy Share URL".

Enter the sweepstakes weekly to increase your chance of winning. Once you have submitted your image here you will receive a coupon via email for $1 off Suave at Walmart.

Publix | Flavor Excursion Sale and Coupons

2014-09-22T09:15:00.003-04:00

The information and prize pack were provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

School has started back and life is ultra-busy, so I'm bringing out the slow cooker this week. Publix is having a Flavor Excursions Sale that includes products from Old El Paso, Hunt's, Ro*Tel and Kraft, so I'm definitely making my slow cooker Arroz con Pollo recipe. The Flavor Excursions Sale includes the perfect items for both Mexican and Italian meals.

Reasons I love the slow cooker: it uses less power than the stove, the dish is dishwasher-safe (I use slow cooker liners for easier clean up), and it cooks while I do other things. I, honestly, own six slow cookers lol. You can put everything in them--from entrees to desserts--making them really wonderful to have around the house.

In-Store Savings

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion display with products at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:

Make Spicy Roasted Soft Vegetable Tacos and save! Save $2 off Produce (minimum $2 purchase) when you buy Any Four (4) participating products*. Participating products: Old El Paso™ Seasoning Mixes, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans, Taco Shells, Ro*Tel® (10oz or larger), Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger), KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz

You can also save on an Italian inspired recipe, Sautéed Italian Chicken and Beans!Save $2 off Publix® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts when you buy Any Four (4) participating products. Participating products: Progresso™ Bread Crumbs, 100% Natural Broths, Beans, KRAFT Salad Dressing (16oz), Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz), Hunt’s®Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger).

Grab some in-store coupons for additional savings.

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion recipe and coupon standee display at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:

Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Ro*Tel® Tomatoes (10oz)

Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz

Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Hunt’s® Tomatoes 14.5oz

Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Bisquick™ 40oz

Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Old El Paso™ Frozen Entrée

Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese 6-8oz

Dessert recipe(s) available in-store, as well!

Dessert is my favorite part of the meal. I love to create new dessert items to share with loved ones, so it's really convenient to find recipe cards right in the store. This week, we can try another Flavor Excursion recipe, Crème Brulèe Cheesecake Bars! Find the recipe and a $1.50 off any two Betty Crocker pouch Cookie Mixes coupon on the Betty Crocker display in-store.

Printable Coupons

Want more savings to make your favorite Flavor Excursion recipes? Of course we do! Visit http://readyplansave.com/flavor-excursion/additional-savings to print your coupons. Available while supplies last.

Save $1 when you buy FOUR Progresso™ products

Save $1 when you buy THREE Old El Paso™ products

Save 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Old El Paso® Bold Nacho Cheese Flavored Stand 'N Stuff® Taco Shells OR Dinner Kit

Save $0.50 when you buy ONE 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix

Save $0.60 when you buy THREE any variety Green Giant® Seasoned Steamers™ or Valley Fresh Steamers® Frozen Vegetables.

Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls

Save $0.40 when you buy THREE CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr.® Biscuits

Save $1 when you buy any flavor or variety of Old el Paso™ Froze Entrees

Digital Coupons

Visit, https://publix.couponselectionpage.com/offers/all, to find and instantly select digital coupons. Including the following from ConAgra. Available while supplies last.

Save $0.40 off any TWO (2) ROTEL® products

Save $1 on any FOUR (4) Chef Boyardee® canned pasta or microwave cup

Save $1 on any ONE (1) Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet® Popping Corn (6-pk or larger)

Save $0.50 on any ONE (1) Super Snack Pack® 6 pack

See You at Publix!

Hope all of these savings and recipes inspire your meal plans this week. I love to stock up on staple items when they're on sale. Enjoy the Flavor Excursion with your family/friends!

Review | Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back to School Combo

2014-09-17T22:40:00.000-04:00

Samples were provided for this review.

I've reviewed a lot of things over the years, but certain brands really stick with me and Mabel's Labels is one of them. My school-aged child has many social activities on his calender and it helps to have labels around to quickly mark his belongings. Mabel's Labels aren't just beautiful, they're very durable and pass the tests of time and play; we've happily been using Mabel's Labels for around two years.

Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back to School Combo is a fantastic deal. The combo includes many of the best-selling items all combined into one convenient booklet for easy use. I am always glad to get more shoe labels, because little kids' feet grow so quickly that you find yourself regularly labeling label new shoes. My guy goes to a 'children's gym' for fun and they all put their shoes under the benches in the lobby; having Mabel's Labels Shoe Labels helps us easily locate Noah's shoes and avoids mix-ups from happening.

What's included in the Ultimate Back to School Combo:

40 Skinny-Minis™
50 Tag Mates™
16 Shoe Labels
2 Teeny Tags™

What You Should Know About These Products

Skinny-Minis™ are dishwasher and microwave safe
Tag Mates™ are washer and dryer safe, apply to a clothing care tag
Shoe Labels and Teeny Tags™ are waterproof and UV resistant
Satisfaction guaranteed

Skinny-Minis are excellent to have on-hand because they fit onto so many items, such as: notebook, pencils, crayon boxes, backpacks, electronics, sippy cups, lunch boxes and more. They're slim and easy to adhere to surfaces. I love them.

Tag Mates labels are designed specifically for clothing, so you can wash your clothing as usual and the labels will not come off of the clothing. I've tested these labels time and time again. Noah has clothes that he's outgrown and the Tag Mates labels are still inside of them.

Teeny Tags are perfect for hooking to backpacks and lunchboxes. They're very cute and the print is high-quality. I was super impressed the first time I saw one of these and I continue to be excited each time we order a new design.

Speaking of new designs, Mabel's Labels has over 40 designs to choose from and the process is so easy that my 6yr old son designed his own labels! I love how the design appears on the screen to show you exactly what it will look like when the items are printed. My boy picked out dinosaur designs because he's really into the book The Mine-o-Saur and that's what he calls his labels (Mine-o-Saurs).

This discount-priced Ultimate Back to School Combo is only available until September 30, 2014, so be sure to order yours right away. It's a great deal and gives you a wonderful variety pack of some of Mabel's Labels best products. I highly recommend it.

Leave it up to a Brother to Make you Feel Better

2014-09-09T11:18:00.001-04:00

The past few weeks have been really intense. For a few days I felt like a sad zombie and all I did was float through the hours and wait for things to improve. Then, I invited someone over to hang out and everything started feeling better. I have a ton of friends, but no one can make me laugh like my little brothers can! My brother can find the funniest stuff online, somehow, and we stay up late just talking and laughing at youtube videos on xbox live. I'm gonna share some of them with you, in case you need a little pick-me-up, too :)

Think you know a lot about octopuses? I bet you could learn a few more things... lol. (contains adult language). Don't shake his hand; just don't.

If I could dance like this, I wouldn't have to count calories. This has to be one heck of a workout. I don't have the coordination to ever know how to do this; I have the balance of an egg. It's like his feet aren't even part of his body!

Life wouldn't be complete without a few memes, would it? Here's some of the funniest cat memes ever!

I'm so thankful for my brothers; they have a way of making me laugh every time we see each other. If it wasn't for my brother B, I would be so far behind on worldly happenings; he knows all of the latest political news and explains it to me in a way that's informative and memorable. My brother M teaches me all about how things work; he actually learned how to drive a manual engine (straight drive) car from YouTube videos! No joke!

Who makes you feel better when you're having a hard day?

Beautiful Hallmark Cards at Walmart | Card Ideas

2014-09-08T17:04:00.000-04:00

September is what we call "Birthday Month" around here; we have over 10 family/friends' birthdays this month! That adds up to a lot of birthday cards. Thankfully, I learned that Hallmark not only has products available at Walmart, but they're offering value cards at Walmart! Yes, that means you can pick up the perfect Hallmark card while you're shopping at Walmart and you'll still earn points for the Hallmark Card Rewards Program; every five greeting cards that you purchase earns you a reward.

The Hallmark Connections value cards start at just 47 cents per card. There are so many to choose from, including categories such as birthdays, kids birthday, for him, for her, baby shower, thinking of you, miss you and more. There's even a holiday section included, so I picked up a cute Halloween card for my little boy. He really loves Halloween and he dressed as Mario last year--he was so cute I couldn't stop taking photos of him! This year, he wants to be Luigi! :)

#collectivebias

I love greeting cards because they have the right words when I can't find them on my own. I'm a long-time fan of Hallmark cards because of the perfect messages and delightful images on the cards. I keep a collection of cards on-hand for sending to out-of-town friends and family. I've met a lot of people through blogging and I love sending cards to them, as well. There's just something special about receiving something that you can keep and/or display vs only receiving digital cards. Long live paper cards! Huzzah!

I'm teaching my little Noah the importance of giving handwritten, keepsake greeting cards to people. In a very 'digital world' it's vital to keep in touch offline, as well. Children grow up so quickly; it's heart-touching to let them write messages in cards for the people. My favorite cards are the ones that my baby Noah draws in each year for my birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas. Allowing him to select Hallmark Connections cards is not only very affordable, he also learns to be thoughtful of others while practicing his handwriting and creativity.

I grabbed a few gift bags while I was in the store; Walmart even offer Hallmark brand paper bags that are under a dollar each. These bags are excellent to use as "goody bags" for birthday parties or even holiday parties. I love the bright colors and variety of sizes available. I didn't realize there were so many Hallmark items at Walmart for $1-2 each!

Noah's birthday gift to his mama! I also found this lovely, fold-out photo frame in the Hallmark section at Walmart. It has a mess-free hand print kit included. There's a place for two hand prints, which is really convenient; you could do two prints from one child or one print from each child. There are also two photo frames in this kit! I just love it! It's the perfect keepsake piece and something that he will enjoy creating for his mama {me!}.

Make sure you check out Connections from Hallmark to sign up for Hallmark Rewards, and to see great content from other bloggers. Join in the #ValueCards conversation on Twitter!

3 Safety Reasons to Clean Outdoor Toys and Furniture #Palmolive25Ways #cbias

2014-08-25T15:21:00.001-04:00

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone

Pool games, slip 'n slides, and outdoor patio furniture are all part of the summer scene. Most of the time we just relax and play without worrying about the outdoor toys and furniture from day-to-day, but did you know that those items are a great hiding place for snakes, spiders and wasps? The majority of snake bites occur on the the legs/feet because snakes often hide under toys (ride on toys, sliding boards) and outdoor steps. It's important to keep those areas clean and active so that it doesn't welcome any dangerous pests to create a living under there. I'm about to show you the inexpensive--and fun--way that we keep our outdoor living spaces clean and safe using Palmolive dish soap!

How to Keep Outdoor Toys Safe

Use any of the mild detergents from Palmolive to clean toys as needed. Clean off any stuck-on dead grass, leaves, bird droppings or spilled drinks/snacks from the toy surfaces.
Lean over and peek under toys to check for snakes before you turn the toys over.
Flip toys over to check for spiders, spider webs, wasp nests, or other unwelcome insects.
Keep lids tightly secured on sandboxes so pests cannot get inside of it. (including the cat)
Always supervise children while they are playing--better yet, always play along with your children while they are playing :)

I've always cleaned the underneath of my child's outdoor toys. When he was a tiny baby, I noticed that spiders were hiding under his push-car outside; I became proactive about keeping the outdoor living area clean and free of extra-tall grass (or dead grass stuck to the toys).

We've found several snakes in our yard recently--poisonous snakes--and I want them to feel unwelcome here by making sure they have nowhere to hang out. My new rule this summer: I'm keeping all of the toys washed and turned over when they're not in use. It looks funny, but it works well.

Wasps can show up and build a new home overnight--they're efficient like that. I try to tape up any holes in toys, swings or furniture to prevent them from moving in there. I also flip the toys over to check for wasp nests underneath. As the saying goes "its better to be safe than sorry", so check those toys, parents.

As you can see, there's a wasp nest under this ride-on toy in our yard. These toys get moved often and they get plenty of attention, but wasps will be wasps. I'm removing this and cleaning the bottom of this toy with my Palmolive dish soap and water to clean up any scent that might attract the wasps back to this spot.

How to Clean Outdoor Toys

Fortunately, most outdoor toys are really easy to clean. All you have to do is grab a clean bucket, fresh sponges, a wire mesh sponge and some Palmolive dish soap. You can find many varieties of Palmolive dish soap at Walmart. I'm using the Lotus Blossom scent and the Oxy version for the play toys today.

Put some Palmolive dish soap into the bottom of your bucket--a generous squirt of it will do--then add clean water to the bucket. Go ahead and toss your sponges in there to make for easy carrying--sponges love water.

The soft sponges are perfect for cleaning smooth surfaces such as kiddie pools, floats, ride-on toys and swing seats. The wire mesh sponge is best for getting off the tough messes. I'm using the wire mesh sponge to clean the legs of the play equipment. The soft sponge will be used for cleaning the swing seats. After cleaning the outdoor toys, I will throw all of the sponges away because they aren't suitable for reuse after this dirty job.

The Palmolive dish soap is gentle on hands, but we still use gloves since we may encounter some gross stuff out here. See the swing seat? That's a familiar moment, isn't it? Watch how I clean it in under 60 seconds with the dish soap and sponge.

It's practically new again! All it takes is a little tender love and care to keep the toys clean and your child safe in your yard this summer--and always. We have short winters here, so this is an ongoing routine at my house. I, honestly, don't mind cleaning the toys and checking for bugs because it gives me peace-of-mind. I also enjoy soapy buckets of water lol; I'm still a child at heart.

How to Find a Leak in a Swimming Pool

This is a useful tip that works for finding the leak in inflatable swimming pools, floats, beach balls, and even car tires. The science behind it is that the air will blow bubbles into the dish soap, which is easy for someone to notice. We've done this most of my life and it's always worked. My step-dad taught us to do this to find the leaks in car tires; I figured out that it works on the kiddie pool and accessories, too.

What you'll need to repair the inflatable pool leak

Palmolive dish detergent
Bucket of water
a sponge
a towel/dry cloth
a permanent marker
a pool repair patch

Fill the bucket with soapy water using Palmolive dish soap--make it extra soapy because you want a lot of bubbles. Use the sponge to add soapy water across the surface of the pool (or object) until you come across the leak; you will know because it will start blowing bubbles in the soapy water that you're putting on it. Once you've located the leak, wipe off the bubbles and mark the leaky spot with a permanent marker. Clean off the surface, dry it thoroughly and then repair the leak as usual.

Enter to WIN a $2,000 Walmart Gift Card From Palmolive

Palmolive is holding a sweepstakes on Walmart's site and one lucky winner will receive a $2,000 Walmart gift card! This page is really cool and shows #Palmolive25Ways including a giant bubble maker and rainbow soap foam! Be sure to check it out and good luck!

I hope you enjoyed this DIY post about outdoor safety and kiddie pool repair. I was really impressed with the cleaning power of the Palmolive detergents that I used for all of these projects. Wishing you all safe and happy days of outdoor play.

Fruit Shoot Have a Ball Stunt Hunt Contest

2014-08-15T15:13:00.001-04:00

Thank you Fruit Shoot for sponsoring today's fun post.

**The Fruit Shoot Have a Ball Stunt Hunt Contest**

Kids always know how to have fun, right?! What if you could have a short home movie edited with impressive special effects to make your child look like a movie star? That's an amazing keepsake that your family will treasure for always. Well, Fruit Shoot has a really exciting Stunt Hunt contest going on that you can participate in! All you have to do is record a video of your child being creative with a Fruit Shoot bottle and a small ball and submit it to the Fruit Shoot site here. The video should be less than 30 seconds long; it should feature your child being imaginative with the Fruit Shoot bottle(s) and the small ball (bowling, sports, dragon attack, you name it!).

The WEEKLY Prize

Each week, one winner will receive a video makeover that adds Hollywood-style special effects to your child's entry video! How cool is that!? Here's an example so that you can see what the finished product would look like--I warn you, this is really cool.

Fruit Shoot Have A Ball Stunt Hunt Instructions Video

Fruit Shoot Beverage Details

Fruit Shoot is a beverage that's sold in many stores, convenience stores and grocery stores. It comes in four different flavors--including no added sugar varieties--and contain real fruit juice. I found Fruit Shoot at my local grocery store.

What I really like about Fruit Shoot is that it has a no-spill cap that is perfect for young children. Another noteworthy point is that Fruit Shoot beverages contain NO high fructose corn syrup (hfcs). The drinks are inexpensive and the colorful packaging is very appealing to both children and parents.

I tested this Fruit Shoot Berry Burst drink and it's very good. It has a nice fruit juice flavor and it's not too sweet. I'm glad I got the no added sugar version of these drinks, because it's exactly the right ratio of sweet fruit juice to water--it's very refreshing. I encourage you to try these out the next time you see them in the store.

Competition details: The 'Have a Ball Stunt Hunt' competition is a great demonstration of Fruit Shoot’s commitment to imaginative play and has a reward that is priceless. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the contest homepage to upload a video of your kids showing off their best tricks, stunts, and super-cool abilities with a Fruit Shoot bottle and any ball. To qualify, please make sure your video is under 30 seconds. Check out the stunt video we have already souped-up for inspiration!

2. Share your video with friends and family and encourage them to vote for your video.

3. Every week, we’ll chose a winning video, give it the full-on Hollywood special effects treatment, and release it on our contest homepage for the world to see!

Grab some Fruit Shoot and start making your video for the contest! Good luck!

Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

2014-08-06T15:39:00.006-04:00

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.#AmericasTea #MeAndMyTea

Berry infused iced teas are refreshing and trendy. Wanna make it at home? All you have to do is get a box of Bigelow tea from Walmart, some fresh fruit and filtered water. My recipe for Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea is all natural, inexpensive and delicious. This recipe contains no alcohol and my little boy loves it as much as I do!

The tea that we're using for this recipe is called Bigelow Plantation Mint; it's a black tea with the essence of fresh mint. I can describe the flavor of mint tea as being very similar to the flavor of green tea--surprised, right? I was when I first tasted mint tea. Plantation Mint is a classic tea that's been a part of Bigelow tea products since 1961.

Visiting South Carolina?

Bigelow Tea is a family-owned, American brand that's committed to creating world class teas in a process that ensures sustainability and superior quality products. Each packet of Bigelow tea is individually sealed in a foil wrapper to protect the flavor of each tea bag by shielding out light, air, moisture and any surrounding aromas. The packets are easy to open and the string is long enough to brew even in a travel cup. The Bigelow tea packaging is recyclable. If you're ever in the South Carolina area, Bigelow Tea welcomes you to the Charleston Tea Plantation for tours, weddings, festivals, a trolley ride around the 127-acre plantation and a gift shoppe with tea pots and more. I wasn't aware of the Charleston Tea Plantation before I started writing this post, so that's absolutely something on my 'travel list,' now.

Cherry Berry Syrup Recipe

You have probably noticed the big collection of flavored syrups at your local coffee shop, but did you know that they're simple to make at home? You can make it yourself for cheaper and it will have fresh ingredients, instead of chemical flavors and preservatives. Did I mention that it only takes about 10 minutes and costs around $5? It's all true. :)

This Cherry Berry syrup is a blend of fresh cherries, raspberries, Meyer lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and water. The consistency is thick like an ice cream topping--like hot fudge. It's silky smooth and delightfully sweet with a bright, fruity flavor. You will love this both in your berry infused iced tea as well as on top of your favorite dessert; it's a total winner.

Cherry Berry Syrup Recipe

DaydreamingRealist.com

Ingredients
*8 ounces of cherries (about a cup full, but 2-3 extra ounces is fine)
*8 ounces raspberries (frozen or fresh)
*1.5 cup of filtered water (12 ounces)
*1 cup of sugar
*Juice from one Meyer Lemon
*Juice from one lime

1. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Add sugar. Stir until dissolved.
3. Add lime and lemon juice.
4. Add berries slowly so you don't splash the hot liquid.
5. Let berries cook for 10 minutes on medium until they start to break down.
6. Smash berries in the pot with a potato masher. You could also use a blender.
7. Strain the berry syrup through a strainer into a clean dish. Cover and refrigerate.

Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

This drink can be shaken or stirred; I believe shaking it brings out the best of the flavors. You can adjust the strength of the tea to suit your taste. You can also adjust the amount of Cherry Berry syrup that you add--to make the drink sweeter or less sweet. This is a very flexible recipe; I like to make each glass individually for a personalized drink experience.

Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea Recipe
DaydreamingRealist.com

Directions

1. Add desired amount of Cherry Berry Syrup to a glass full of ice. I use about 3 (table)spoonfuls for a 12oz glass of tea.
2. Pour Bigelow Plantation Mint tea over the ice in the glass. This can be made and refrigerated ahead of time or you can brew it hot and pour it over ice. If you brew it hot, make it a little strong so that the ice that melts will not dilute the flavor.
3. Stir gently with a spoon. You could also use a drink shaker.
4. Taste and enjoy.

Popsicles Made with Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea

Making freezer pops out of a Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea is as simple as pouring the drink into a popsicle maker and putting it in the freezer. The frozen treats are an excellent source of fruit, antioxidants for both adults and children. I love making frozen treats, because it's easy I they taste oh-so-good.

I love these best with a little extra Cherry Berry Syrup mixed into the tea before I freeze them. You can even put the syrup in the popsicle top and let it freeze a little than add the rest of the Mojito Berry Lemon Iced Tea over it; it will start off sweeter and have a nice tea-flavored finish. You must try these at home.

Visit the Pinterest board below for stories and inspiration with Bigelow teas. I hope you enjoyed my recipes as much as I enjoyed making them for you!

I linked up with Delicious Dish Tuesday (DDT).

Febreze #NoseBlind Challenge | Giveaway

2014-07-28T20:47:00.002-04:00

“This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Febreze. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine."

I recently had a few people over for dinner and a movie at my house--one of my favorite things to do. We were all participating in the Febreze "noseblind" challenge to see how we each noticed different scents during our visit. At the beginning of the evening, the most obvious smell was pretty much dinner, although, I have indoor dogs and their scent must be in this house, too.

We took surveys at the beginning and end of the movie; we took another survey after popping the popcorn for the movie. The surveys asked "what do you smell the most right now?" and everyone answered their own opinion for the survey. It was easy for my guests to notice the smell of dinner when they arrived; I mostly smelled "home", since I had been in here with the food, I had become "noseblind" to the scent of it. After popping the popcorn, everyone easily noticed the scent of the popcorn as it filled the air all around us. By the end of the movie, the most noticeable smell was the fresh scent of the Febreze scented oil warmer and/or the Febreze candle that I had safely burning during the movie.

About Noseblindness and Febreze's Patented Technology

Have you ever felt "noseblind"? This happened to me when I worked in a pizza restaurant, once. Everyone could smell pizza on me, but I couldn't smell it on myself when I got home. This also happens to smokers, pet owners, and anyone else. We all become used to the scent in our home/surroundings as our nose prioritizes the scents around us. When something smells bad, the worst thing to do is to spray something powerful over it... the layering of a bad smell with another fragrance is just overkill. Luckily, Febreze contains a molecule called Cyclodexrin that traps and eliminates the bad odors, which leaves only a pleasant scent.

Febreze Products That I Tried and Loved

I'm very selective when it comes to scents; I don't like powerful scents or anything that's too fruity. One of the reasons that I prefer Febreze to other sprays is because it doesn't "cover up" an odor, it actually eliminates the odor. The fabric refresher spray works wonders on sofas, rugs and even in my vehicle.

The Febreze Meadows and Rain fabric refresher (spray) and Air Effects spray are wonderful; the scent is so clean and fresh that I could use it in many different areas, including over the area rugs. The scents for the oil warmer are very enjoyable as well; I love hibiscus flowers very much.

The Febreze candle comes in a durable glass and didn't burn smoky. I love both the color and scent of the Febreze candle. I always burn candles up where they are out of a high-traffic area, for safety. I also set a timer on my phone to let me know to blow it out after xx minutes. The scent of the candle is really nice and it's a nice touch if you're watching a movie in the evening.

The Febreze Noticeables scented oil warmers are pretty cool. The plug can be turned to fit your wall receptical. The Noticeables warmer alternates between two complimentary scents (you can purchase a variety of refills). This is perfect for setting different moods for different rooms.

I like to use scents that are more reminiscent of food in the kitchen and living room areas, such as vanilla or cinnamon. I like to use clean or floral scents in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Do you do this, too?

Giveaway | Febreze Prize Pack and American Express Gift Card!

USA Only. One winner. Winner will have 24hrs to respond; if you fail to respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. Be sure to use an email address that you check often. Good luck!

Direct link to this giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7951108f14/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Milo's Kitchen Treat Truck Schedule | Giveaway

2014-07-24T21:19:00.002-04:00

“The Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, gift cards, and information have been provided by Milo’s Kitchen®.”

Milo's Kitchen Treat Truck Schedule

Milo's Kitchen is a treat brand for dogs that's made in the USA. Attention SC, NC, GA locals: If you'd like to try free samples, the Milo's Kitchen Treat Truck is making rounds all over the country and will be offering free samples of their products, plus an area for family portraits for pups & their parents! All you have to do is... show up to meet the Treat Truck! See schedule below.

The Milo's Kitchen Treat Truck will be in the SC, NC, GA area very soon, so plan a special date with your dog:

July 31st- Greenville, SC, Pelham Dog Park
8/2: Mecklenburg County Dog Parks
8/3: Mecklenburg County Dog Parks

See the full schedule here. It includes stops in many major US locations, such as Atlanta, NY, PA, OH and more. *Dog parks are subject to change due to weather and foot traffic.

About Milo’s Kitchen® Treats:

· Our dogs deserve only the best. That means treats made in the U.S.A. with real chicken or beef as the #1 ingredient, and no artificial flavors and colors.
· Milo’s Kitchen® Home-style Dog Treats believes dogs deserve treats made with the same quality of ingredients and care that you want for your food. That’s why we made a treat truck just for dogs!

Milo's Kitchen Dog Treats Review

My dogs are part of my family and they mean the world to me--you can tell this simply by visiting my Twitter page and seeing the banner of my silly "kids". I've always had dogs in my life and truly care about giving them the best, safest treats possible. I always buy products that are made in the USA--with no artificial ingredients--because it gives me peace of mind for my pup's health. Milo's Kitchen is a brand that you can purchase at many retailers and the price is comparable to similar products on the shelf beside the Milo's Kitchen treats.

My puppy-girl, RooRoo, just celebrated her 11th birthday! She has those "puppy dawg eyes" on lock--she is so freakin' pretty; I just love her so much. She's still as playful and spunky as ever, but she has more difficulty chewing than she used to. I'm happy to say that the Milo's Kitchen treats are easy to break into smaller bites for her and she enjoys them; the chicken is her favorite. My other three silly pups enjoy the bite-size treats as well. Sophie was sitting up in her begging position {I tell her, "say, 'please'!"}. Chelsea quickly manned the spot next to the bag and was ready to protect it from everyone else--she's a hungry little thing. Ollie was politely waiting in the background, because he knows I'll remember him; he's a nice guy.

The treat varieties included in this review are on the small side, so they are ready to hand out to the pups. I still break the largest pieces up--like the little hamburgers--simply out of habit of doing this for RooRoo (since she's 11 yrs old, now). I'm a mother by nature and by heart; gotta look out for everyone. I applaud the company on creating an affordable treat that is free of artificial ingredients and is made in the USA.

Milo’s Kitchen makes a unique line of mouthwatering varieties for your dog including: Chicken Meatballs, Beef Sausage Slices with Rice, Steak Grillers Recipe (pictured above), Chicken Grillers Recipe (pictured above), Grilled Burger Bites (pictured above), and Chicken Jerky Recipe.

Prize Pack Giveaway that includes a gift card!

The gift pack will include three varieties of Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, and a $25 VISA gift card so that you can stay stocked up on some tasty favorites for your poochie-poo! Good luck!

USA only. No PO Boxes for delivery address. One winner will be randomly chosen and will have 24hrs to respond before an alternate winner will be randomly chosen--so double check your information when you enter the rafflecopter and be sure to use an email address that you check often.

Link for this Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7951108f13/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where do you belong?

2014-07-10T22:05:00.003-04:00

Theme song for this post~ Ramones, Outsider

Do you ever have phases in your life where you can't really tell where you fit in? It's like you're just floating on a breeze and anyone that you land beside doesn't seem to "get you"? I'm going through that again, right now. I have a lot of friends and family, but sometimes I feel overextended and like I can't just find peace of mind with someone for a little while.

Basically, there's times when I just want to "be" and don't know what I should say or do or who to say or do it with... It's like you just wanna relax and be yourself, but even with a million friends, it's like you sometimes feel like you don't have a place to fall when you wanna "find zero". I've been saying that for years and years--"find zero"--it's something that I say when I want to reach that incredible feeling of peace that we all get when we feel content in where we are and in what we're doing; it's really not that easy to find and keep, so I enjoy it when I arrive there... at zero.

the big question
How do you manage to fit all of the different qualities of yourself--your interests/hobbies-- into your life and friendships? Do you have a small circle of friends that just "get" you or do you have different groups of friends or maybe social media outlets for finding those niche groups for sharing the different interests of yours?

Do you think it's possible that when we feel so "out of place," that we're really just having trouble navigating our own mind and we are, in fact, not out of place at all? Maybe, people actually want to talk to us about whatever even though we think they wouldn't care...? Maybe, I need to spend more time meditating and/or creatively. I think I think too much and put too much pressure on myself. #introvertprobs

Thankful for knowing people like this (in the photo)

xoxo,

Publix Meal Deal | Old El Paso Chicken Quesadillas

2014-07-02T23:17:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: The sales information has been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. The photos and review are my own.

Publix is my go-to grocery store because it has the freshest produce and the best selection and sales. Right now, Publix is running a Meal Deal special that will have dinner on the table in under 15 minutes! I know, because it's what we had yesterday. :) There's a coupon available for Old El Paso Frozen Entrees that is good beyond the dates of this sale, fyi. Yay!

Here's the scoop + coupon

Buy ONE of each participating products below:

Old El Paso Frozen Entrée (I bought the Chicken Quesadillas)
Wishbone Dressing 16oz (I chose the light, Peppercorn Ranch to mix with salsa, next time!)
Fresh Express Salad Blends & Kits (I love the Romaine)
Breyers Gelato Indulgences (The Tiramisu is ah-mazingggg)
For $12.49* total for the meal (save up to $7.00*!)

*Total savings vary by market area, savings taken at register.
Offer available 6/26 – 7/2, find details in the Publix weekly ad flyer.

Digital Coupon Savings: Print-at-home coupon available at http://everydaysaver.com/publix

Moms, you might recognize this--it's called the "car buggy." Please, please, please :)

These Old El Paso Chicken Quesadillas are really yummy. I, sometimes, cook them on the stove top, but most of the time I cook them in the toaster oven for 15 minutes (cooking time may vary) and they come out perfectly. I cut them up with a pizza roller to get good slices and save even more time. I use a pizza roller, cutter thing for so many different things; I could write a whole post about just that lol.

Since, this meal practically made itself, I had time to sit down on the couch with my little love bug and watch an episode of Peppa Pig. Oh man, that show is so funny! "Daddy, are you going to fall out of the tree like you always do?" haha. When I sit down for a minute, I realize how often I don't do this. I need to slow down some and spend more time beside my little one than running around the house cleaning, cooking and working. Thank goodness for easy meals like the one we created with this meal deal from Publix.

Don't even get me started on that gelato... it's so decadent and sweet and delicious. It called for a strong cup of coffee alongside my Breyer's Tiramisu scoop.

Ipsy July 2014 Glam Bag

2014-06-26T16:34:00.001-04:00

It's a little early (June 26), but the first sneak peek is here (through email)! I'm pleased with this hint because bareMinerals is a fantastic brand and it adds instant value to the July 2014 Ipsy Glam Bags.

What is Ipsy?

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! PS: Thank you so much to everyone who has used my referral link~you're the best :)

JULY 2014 GLAM BAG #5:

Catch some sun. Catch the waves. This month's bright Glam Bag will be sure to catch eyes!

my bag this month (hasn't arrived, yet)

JULY 2014 GLAM BAG SNEAK PEEK #4:

Nothing but lemonade in this summer bunch! Which one of these fabulous products are you hoping will sweeten up your summer?

All kinds of good stuff going on in this photo! I know everyone obsesses over makeup, but this is my favorite stuff~the hair and skincare stuff. I wish we were getting two from this photo instead of one! :)

I like Befine; it's a natural brand. Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray for your hair (have and like). Marrakesh Endz, Faith Aromatherapy brand (very interested in this--it's organic), Lavilin Jojoba body cream, nail polish, a purple tube and maybe a perfume on the corner over there with the lemons.

some of the products included

JULY 2014 GLAM BAG SNEAK PEEK#3

We're cooking up something hot this month! Which two of these amazing beauties do you want to help add extra flavor to your summer beauty menu?

Lots going on here. It's a pool party for the makeup! There will be two items from this photo in your Glam Bag this month. I'm leaning towards the Benefit They're Real mascara or the Pur Minerals waterproof mascara-- and the Lord & Berry eyeliner. I like eye makeup and I use it up the quickest. I really like the color of the Models Own nail color in this photo, too. The Pixi lip crayons are pretty cool; I'd want the lightest pink one because I don't own a color like it. There's also Nailtini (think I own that shade), POP bronzer (looks like a bronzer to me), Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass lip/cheek tint, and Whet Nails nail polish. What are you hoping for?

want

JULY 2014 GLAM BAG SNEAK PEEK #2:

One of these amazing picks will help protect your summer skin while the sun's out! What summer activity will be keeping you under the sun this season?

These are pretty easy to see, right? It looks like Pur-lisse Pur~Protect spf 30 and Hang Ten spf8 Dark Tanning Oil.

I got the Hang Ten brand in my Ipsy bag the other time and I love it~like, really, really. Its smells amazing and it wasn't greasy; I'd buy more of it because I like it and I like the organic ingredients. For the record, the Hang Ten is a tanning oil to help you get a tan. So, this is something you can use while you're sunning, surfing, swimming or whatever and it will help keep your skin moist, while still providing sun/skin protection from damaging rays.

You need SPF protection all year long, so this is useful and practical to have around. I know everyone (especially, newbies) really wants all makeup, but imo, I'd rather have a practical item thrown in the mix, so that I have something I can use for sure. This is something that you can use basically no matter who you are. It's important to protect your skin no matter what your skin tone is, as well.

JULY 2014 GLAM BAG SNEAK PEEK #1:

Cream or powder? That's a slippery question. Which of these products do you hope makes a splash in your Glam Bag this month?

We already know what this one is from the email sneak peek ;) I'm happy about this, because I can never have too much eyeshadow {apparently}. I'm good either way~cream or powder. Cream is good for when I'm in a hurry or just anytime. Powder is good for creating a "look". I just love eyecolor (shadow, liners etc)--next to foundation, it's my favorite part of makeup. Whatcha hopin' for, LoveBug? Cream or powder?

On a related note: I also have been dying to try out the new bareMinerals BareSkin liquid foundation! I heard about it a few months ago and now it's available--I must get a sample of this asap. Have you tried it? Like it? Tell meeeee.

email sneak peek

"All July subscribers will receive one of these amazing eyecolors from bareMinerals!"

What's in the photo: bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($18 for full size) or the bareMinerals READY 2.0 Eyeshadow ($20 for full size).

So, all subscribers will receive one of these products this month. The first product is a makeup item.

You can sign up, or learn more about Ipsy, here.

This post contains a referral link.

My product links in this post are not affiliate links.

Open Worldwide: one THOUSAND dollar CASH giveaway!!

2014-06-10T10:57:00.003-04:00

Hey, everyone. I have GREAT news!! I'm co-hosting this amazing giveaway with my friend Lanaya over at Raising Reagan! She is a wonderful blogger and friend; I truly adore her. This giveaway is will lead you to some of my favorite bloggers and their sites. Read on for how to enter. Good luck!!!

Celebrating milestones is always fun! Blogging milestones are no different and I am so excited to be celebrating my TWO YEAR blog anniversary this week on June 12th! Two years ago I published my first blog post and began the online chronicle of Raising Reagan.

To thank everyone for their support over the past two years, my blog friends and I came together to celebrate and make some very luck person $1000 richer this Summer! It's a celebration and YOU could be the recipient of the GRAND PRIZE! $1000 CASH! Who's excited? Please be sure and thank the amazing women that put together this phenomenal cash prize for you to win! Now, what are you waiting for? Go enter and then cross your fingers, toes and anything else you can think of to win $1000! Just in case you didn't get it the first couple of times ... it's $1000 people! Now GO ENTER!

Meet your amazing co-hosts of this EPIC giveaway!

Please thank my amazing co-hosts of the $1000 Cash Giveaway. From top right and clockwise:

These fantastic bloggers are truly wonderful and there is an amazing assortment of blog types represented. From personal to family blogs, fashion to having fun in the kitchen, there is a blogger for everyone to love! Now .. please meet the other special bloggers that sponsored this $1000 {I'm hammering home the $1000 cash again right?} giveaway! In their own rights they are masters at their craft. Whether it's showing the new go to outfit, sharing the triumphs and failures of parenting, baking you a delectable feast or showing off ways to improve self or home, meet more of my favorite bloggers to love!

Dean - Mrs AOK, A Work in Progress | Ida - Second Chances Girl | Jamie - Handling With Grace | Beth - The First Year | Heather - girlichef

Camille - Friday We're In Love | Ashley & Meegan - Flats to Flip Flops | Rebecca - Living Better Together | Jenn - Deliciously Sprinkled | Rachel - Sultry Indulgences

Ellen - Ask Away | Jennifer - Mommy Life After PhD | Amy - Love, Amybecca | Jen - Yummy Healthy Easy | Kemi - Beauty Style Growth

Sam - Honey Go Lightly | Sarah - Girlfriends Are Like Shoes | Sarah - Oh The Things I Think | Miche - Buttons and Birdcages | Carrie - Frugal Foodie Mama

Betsy - Musings of a Museum Fanatic | Shane - Whispering Sweet Nothings | Emily - Nap Time Creations | Mandi - All My Happy Endings | Sarah - Venus Trapped in Mars

Linda - Crafts a la Mode | Diane - My Life as Robin's Wife | Pamela - Macdonald's Playground | Noel - Third Day Hair | Sherry - The Life of the Party

Lyne - Anointed Heels | Diatta - Femme Fitale Fit Club | Heather - Notes From the Nelsens | Natasha - Lovely You | Amy - The Stitchin' Mommy

Ady - When In Doubt Just Add Glitter | Tiki - Grow It Girl | Amber - Bold Fit Mom

Again, I am so excited that I get to share my successes {and failures!} as a blogger with all of you! Thank you so much for helping me celebrate a huge milestone in the blogging community and helping me reach my second year!

Now ... get entering and GOOD LUCK!

Please review the official rules and conditions of all contests at Raising Reagan.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please review the official rules and conditions of all contests at Raising Reagan.

Giveaway is open worldwide to participants 18 years of age or older with a verified PayPal account. By entering this giveaway you consent to be contacted for further information for verification of entries. Entries WILL be verified. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email requests for verification of entries. $1000 cash prize will be given in US Dollars. Any taxes, currency exchange or fees associated with the winnings will be the sole responsibility of the winner. Participants and sponsors of Raising Reagan and this giveaway are not liable for delivering cash prize. Any questions or concerns regarding this giveaway should be forward to contact{at}raising-reagan{dot}com BEFORE entering the giveaway. Void where prohibited by Law.

Feeling Beautiful with the Cottonelle Clean Care Routine.

2014-05-27T21:05:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Cottonelle for sponsoring today's discussion

What's your morning routine like? Mine's pretty rushed. I try to multi-task to make it out the door on time. I'm writing a post to show you the ways I use Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and Flushable cleansing cloths in my daily routine. Here's a printable coupon from CVS for these Cottonelle products.

It's like this... Some mornings I wake up and realize that I'm wearing the same nail color that I've had on for days... it's chipped, it's ugly, it's got to go. I don't buy cotton balls; I use toilet paper to take off my nail color. I don't like to have more stuff than I need around here, so I use products that can do more than one thing in my life. I use Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the Flushable Cleansing Cloths in my regular "powder room routine" and also for my makeup and for cleaning around the house. Lemme show you.

Cottonelle Clean Care Routine in the Bathroom

Be prepared. There's no fresher feeling than knowing that you're clean all over. Cleaning first with the Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and then following up with the Flushable Cleansing Cloths really makes a huge difference in your life. I started using wet wipes back when I was a teen and I've never stopped. Flushable Cleansing Cloths are so gentle and leave you completely clean down there. You don't realize how clean you were not until you use one of these; try it and see for yourself.

So many uses. The Flushable Cleansing Clothes are a lifesaver for your "lady's days" and if you have delicate parts (aka hemorrhoids). I've also really enjoyed using the Flushable Cleansing Cloths for potty training my little boy. They're soft and gentle, which is encouraging to a child who's familiar with baby wipes, already. The Flushable Cleansing Cloths are flushable; baby wipes are not. Think about that for a minute. They both come in a plastic dispenser as well. Noted ;)

House Cleaning with Cottonelle Clean Care Routine

Grab a little Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper or Flushable Cleansing Cloths and dust your home. You can refold the toilet paper and use each side until you're done with your dusting. You can also dust/clean your car's dash and steering wheel while you're sitting in. I have to wait in the car a lot, so I make sure to clean that bad boy while I'm in there. It's like I'm not wasting time; I'm making time for other things :)

Cottonelle Clean Care Routine for Beauty

Makeup Mishaps. The Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper works very well for removing makeup, eye makeup and/or lipstick. Just add a little cleanser to it and scrub yourself back to au natural~you look better that way, anyway :). It's also useful for wiping off excess powder or eyeshadow fallout. I've been using toilet paper in my beauty routine for years, so I'm really happy to have a wet/dry tissue to use, now; it's so much more efficient.

Did you mess up your eye makeup? Well, we can fix that. Dip a folded square of Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper into eye makeup remover and just run the pointed edge along your eyelid to remove the eye makeup and you're ready to start fresh! Another option is to use a Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloth for removing your eye makeup. You don't have to redo all of your makeup, either; you're welcome. This also works for mascara mishaps~just use the same method to remove the little spots of mascara from your eyelids.

Polish Touch-ups. To remove your nail color, simply grab a few squares (not many) of Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and fold it into a square, because it will last longer that way. You can also get in the corners of your nails if you have it folded into a square.

If you've already painted your nails and need to touch up some spots, all you have to do is... Grab one square of toilet paper and fold it into a smaller square. Hold it with tweezers so that the corner is facing outward (tweezer-hold it in a diamond shape). Dip the tip into a drip of nail polish remover. Touch up the spots around your nails~ no problem.

It's Your Turn!

Well, there's some new things you can do with the products Cottonelle Clean Care Routine! The Cottonelle Clean Care Routine really leaves you feeling clean. It's a must! We all deserve to feel beautiful from head to toe.

Get your coupon for $1.50 off of Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and Flushable Cleansing Cloths at CVS! I used it and it's already on sale!! Great deal.

Have you tried the Cottonelle Clean Routine, yet?

Gutsy Chewy Review

2014-05-25T23:14:00.004-04:00

I had the opportunity to sample and review Gutsy Chewy. As a Moms MeetsSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

What is Gutsy Chewy? Gutsy Chewy is a fast-acting oral and digestive supplement. Its made with all-natural ingredients. What's extra-special about Gutsy Chewy, is that it's also vegan and gluten-free (GFCF) for those with food sensitivities and/or special diets. I prefer natural products over chemical-based products--which you already know if you're a regular reader around here.

I'm very pleased that Gutsy Chewy is affordable and suitable for those on special diets; it's a win-win for this product and for you. Be aware that this product contains Xylitol--which is fine for humans, but is poisonous to dogs (much like chocolate). Always keep medications in a safe place away from children and pets.

The Gutsy Chewy Story

Gutsy products are oral and digestive supplements created by Dr. Doug Haghighi, a gastroenterologist and dentist, to provide a natural way to help with the occasional queasy uneasy, refluxy feeling.

They taste good. I, honestly, didn't know what to expect from the outside of the package. I imagined the "chewies" were small, but they're actually about the size of a US quarter. The flavors available are Wildberry and Citrus; I enjoy both of them. It has a line in the middle if you want to cut it in half, which is convenient.

About Me. When I was pregnant, I ate antacids regularly for several weeks. I haven't been able to eat one since my son was born, because I just got so tired of tasting them. Thankfully, Gutsy Chewy tastes much better than typical antacids and it's smoother (less chalky). I really like the Wildberry flavor the most.

Gutsy Chewy has worked well for my occasional indigestion and for that queasy, uneasy tummy feeling that we all get from time-to-time. The little tube is easy to carry in my purse or pocket and it has a tiny, plastic spring inside of it that keeps the tablets from getting broken. The pop-top bottle is easy to open versus a twist-top package. I definitely recommend Gutsy Chewy. I've been using this for several weeks and it's a winner.

Which flavor sounds the best to you~ Wildberry or Citrus? :)

Speedway Express Wagon Review

2014-05-12T09:32:00.000-04:00

*This honest post is sponsored. All opinions are my own.

After weeks of searching for a new wagon for my little boy, I found the perfect one. It's blue, has removable safety rails, no-tilt design and the high weight limit is appropriate for carrying more than one child at a time. In fact, this wagon is so perfect, that I can use it for gardening and chores, as well as for play!

The Speedway Express Wagon #800 is built on a strong, steel frame that will hold up to 1,100 pounds (seriously) and it comes with 13" turf tires that will travel across a variety of surfaces--including hilly grass and gravel. The bed is solid 24" x 40" wood with a beautiful, smooth finish.

Speedway Express Wagons Come in Many Sizes

While looking for this wagon, I noticed there are many sizes of wagons available. What you need to keep in mind is that the larger the wagon is, the heavier it will be. Wagon Sales offers smaller, lightweight wagons that are easier for children to pull. So, if this is for a child or someone who wants a lightweight wagon to pull, consider a smaller wagon such as the #128 or #330.

The wagons have a no-tilt design, come in a variety of colors and have a higher-than-average weight limit. There are also larger wagons for heavy-duty work; more appropriate for construction or heavy farm work.

If you need a wagon that can handle yard work & play, there are plenty to choose from, including the Speedway Express 800 wagon, which I will be covering in this blog post.

Play Wagon Accessories

I've owned the Speedway Express #800 wagon for a few weeks, now, and have done so many different things with it around here. We built it, from the box, in less than 30 minutes. I was impressed with the quality before we even completed the assembly of the wagon; this thing is built to last. The surface of the wagon bed is very smooth, making it very child-friendly.

What's cool is that you can buy many accessories for the Speedway Express wagons. The wagons are already equipped with the necessary parts for dropping the accessories into place--meaning, you don't have to screw any parts into the wagon to add accessories to it.

The Handle & Hitch Combo is an upgrade choice when you purchase the wagon. It allows you to switch between using the D-handle hand grip and attaching the wagon to a hitch. This is convenient if you're using the wagon for work, especially.

The Sun Top is very useful and so fun to own! Everyone loves this accessory, because it's functional, easy to add/remove and it's really stylish. The Sun Top comes in different sizes and is weather-resistant. The baby will not get sunburned this summer while he rides in his wagon and enjoys the great outdoors with his family. The Sun Top also keeps cargo on the wagon from getting too hot--this is great for tender plants or other products that you're hauling.

Another accessory that is really helpful is the Deluxe Seat. The Deluxe Seat offers a comfortable wagon ride for children. It has two seat belts attached to it to assure a safe ride. This was also easy to assemble: 10 minutes. I'm very happy with the quality of the wood used for this wooden accessory and for the wagon bed. I think I'll be passing this wagon down to the grandkids one day. The seat is reinforced with metal brackets, so it will stay strong during bumpy rides.

The wagon and accessories are weather resistant, but not weatherproof (it's a wooden product, after all). It can be placed in a shed or garage for safe-keeping. I also want to mention that the paint is lead-free and the colors are very vibrant. I am cautious about buying imported products due to lead paint still being used overseas, so it's exciting to find an American-made wagon for kids that's safe and durable.

A Wagon for Work or Play

My little boy loves putting the pups in the Speedway Express wagon with him for a fun wagon-ride together. Puppies make excellent friends. The side rails are both stapled and glued for durability; they are very easy to remove and replace. My kindergartner can put the side rails on by himself. I like the added safety of having side rails on the wagon.

The wagon that I have is really spacious and can handle a lot of tasks. I filled it with a few bags of mulch, flower pots, basket liners and plants--and had room to spare. I love that it's a portable work area, essentially, so I can move it anywhere I need to go very quickly. The finished, wooden surface is very easy to clean. I keep a piece of cardboard around to put on the bottom when I'm afraid of damaging the surface, but it's proven to be very work-worthy.

Another use for a good wagon is hauling grocery bags. Before I had this wagon, I would load all of the groceries on my arm and try to walk them up the driveway to my house by myself--in one trip. Now, I can just load the wagon and pull them to my house entryway. This would be useful for someone who walks to the market, as well. I could see me pulling a small wagon around outdoor shops, farmer's markets and parks; it's very convenient to own a wagon.

So, if you're in the market for a new wagon, you should really, really consider the Speedway Express wagons, because they're in a league of their own. One wagon filled the need for both a play wagon and a garden cart around here--that's an investment piece, for sure. You gotta love multi-purpose products that save you space and money.

I'm completely satisfied with the Speedway Express Wagon #800 and the accessories that compliment it. If you're considering a new wagon--for work or play--Speedway Express wagons are high-quality products; I highly recommend them.

{savings} Old El Paso Sale at Publix!

2014-05-07T23:40:00.003-04:00

Taco Night is always everyone's favorite. My mama always makes the taco fillings and we put it in baked potatoes--it's such a great idea! This is a "taco night" tradition that I've even carried over to my own home.

Publix has Old El Paso products on sale and the savings are huge. I just purchased two taco kits and several cans of beans at Publix this week for a really great price. Be sure to stop by the Publix coupon centers and grab up some additional savings.

Tips for a quick and easy taco dinner.

Use a slow cooker or covered casserole dish to cook the main dish. You can toss chicken, Old El Paso seasoning and the required amount of water in to your lined slow cooker and let it cook until the chicken shreds apart easily. OR you can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up and add the Old El Paso® Chile and Roasted Garlic Mexican Cooking Sauce to it and heat on the stove top for just a few minutes.
Use a rice cooker to prepare the Old El Paso rice instead of cooking it on the stove top.
Set out Old El Paso refried beans, salsas and sour cream for everyone to help themselves on the "taco bar".

The Old El Paso® Chile and Roasted Garlic Mexican Cooking Sauce is very good. My little boy enjoyed it inside of his cute Stand 'n Stuff shell. I've bought the Old El Paso Stand 'n Stuff shells many times because they make really excellent pouches for sandwiches and even quesadillas. I highly recommend them.

Hope you enjoyed Cinco de Mayo! What's your favorite Mexican meal?

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.

May 2014 Ipsy Bag

2014-05-02T16:08:00.001-04:00

The May Ipsy sneak peeks are so pretty! Yesterday was my mama's birthday and I had a wonderful time hanging out with her and my family. After you move out of your mom's house, you find yourself missing her a lot, so it's always nice to go back home and be with your family for a day :) Happy May, everyone!

What is Ipsy?

woo! I love itttt!! How pretty!! I'm saying this a little early, but... I think this might be my most favorite bag design, yet. This and that cool San Francisco bag.

Have a nice weekend! Glam Rooms should be updated on Monday :)

May Sneak Peek #5:

Garden party or relaxed picnic, one of these beauty finds will keep you pretty and polished for any outdoor soiree this month.

Mmm a pickynic :) I really enjoy La Fresh wipes, so I'm happy to see them on the table. I also see that the balanced guru oil from Hint 4 is in this hint, too, so that means the company has generously supplied a lot of products to distribute among the bags. I'll just name what I can see and we'll add on to this as we figure it out :)

La Fresh facial cleansing wipes (travel pack)(I love this brand)
balanced guru hair oil (this is a 2nd chance to get the oil; you won't get two bottles of it)
eye lash curler
two makeup brushes (you wouldn't get both, btw)
derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub
Bare foot [....] polish packet
Avène Thermal Spring Water (interesting, very interesting)
a little white container of something. bb on that one.

I'm wondering if the bag will have a picnic design on it. What do you think? It would be pretty if it had a print of the clouds/landscape, perhaps. <33

May Sneak Peek #4:

The freshest picks, the prettiest products! One of these beauty finds will be yours to enjoy all spring.

Well, there you are Hint #4! We were about to come lookin' for ya! ;) lol jk. Sooo, this is a basket o'hair stuff with some face product(s) in there. The second I saw that stuff on the left (eva-nyc), I knew I wanted it. There's just something about the bottles and the "hippieness/playfulness" of it that I must have in my life. I see a possible USDA Organic sticker on that little brown bottle (another win) and there's the much-popular Pur-lisse over on the right. Let's break it down, k.

pūr~lisse pūr~moist hydra-balance moisturizer
eva-nyc Rock-a-wave, Mane Tamer, Therapy Session (cool!)
~~mystery bottle of possibly something organic; maybe, it's an oil? bbl on that one..~~ Gotcha~ with a little help from my friends on fb :)
Balanced Guru hair oil. This sounds interesting and I love the name of the brand!

I swear, I get completely little-kid-happy at the sight of that pink bunny on a bottle. Cruelty-free is the way to be... for all of us.

See you here tomorrow! :)

May Sneak Peek #3:

A lovely bouquet of beauty awaits you this month. Which blooms are you excited about?

Awesome. I guess we can assume there will be just one of these items in the bag this month, because that's how it usually goes; although, it could be different. I'll keep this updated.

I see Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer! I own and adore this. It really does smell just like chocolate and the color is very adaptable to different skin tones. If You watch Bethany, so you've seen this in her video(s) in the past. They sell this at Sephora, Ulta and online. It lasts forever and I use it all year (even as eye shadow).

The developing list: Too Face Chocolate Soleil bronzer, Nailtini polish, Revlon lip stain, BooBoo Coverup, an Olive lipbalm (I'll add the brand, later), a body balm (add brand later) and what could be a perfume or oil. I"m not sure what that "honey" thing is; possibly a self-tanner, but don't hold me to that. I'm on my way out the door, but will update all of this when I get home tonight.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

May Sneak Peek #2:

Time to head outdoors and enjoy beauty al fresco. Don't forget to put one of these pretty picks in your picnic basket to stay safe in the sun.

Cool, sunscreen; who could complain about that :) The Jersey Shore sunscreen sample is worth $12.50, if it's the one on their site seen here. That's a benefit of being an Ipsy member, because you get to try things that are interesting, but perhaps beyond your "trial" price range--you can try it, through Ipsy, for much less and then buy the one that's right for you. I've bought a lot of sunscreens that I didn't like and it gets expensive. I swear, I went through like 5 kinds the other summer. I'm happy about the sunscreen item this month!

Check this out! Huge bragging rights warranted for Jersey Shore sunscreen:

Of the few sun screens that has been approved by The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org), PETA, and Livestrong.com, Jersey Kids All Natural and Jersey Shore Sun, Sans Tan Anti-aging sunscreens tops the lists. Jersey Kids sunscreen is organic, vegan, petrochemical-free, and even safe for babies under six months old. Livestrong.com voted Jersey Kids as the #1 All Purpose sunscreen, while at the same time, Jersey Shore Sun, Sans Tan was topping PETA’s 2013 “Summer Must Haves” list. Source.

Oh, man, yay! The other one is a mineral/natural sunscreen, too! It's water-resistant Hang Ten spf 50 (yes!) Classic Sport sunscreen. It's $12.99 for full-size (we'll most likely get the sample/travel size, but the price is very affordable). I also noticed Coola at the bottom of the label and I'm crazy about Coola products! They make some of the best tinted face sunscreen and I wear it in the summer, no joke--it stays on pretty well.

Great bragging rights for Hang Ten, too!

All formulas contain approximately 10 organic ingredients and a signature beach themed all-natural non-synthetic scent, while remaining free from Oxybenzone, Parabens, and Retinyl Palmitate. All Hang Ten Sunscreens provide high performance, non-greasy water resistance, with all SPF 15, SPF 30 and SPF 50 formulas testing out at the maximum FDA allowed claim of 80 minutes water resistance. Source.

The weather has been crazy this week, but Summer is on it's way... and it's already arrived in some places. I heard FL was hot, hot already. Sunscreen: put it on!

May Sneak Peek #1:

Let your beauty bloom with one of these soft, fresh shades to cheer up your spring style.

Looks like eyeshadow! Y'all know I love Pacifica!! I'm soooo happy that this appears to be an item for every glam bag! I'd be totally bummed if I didn't get it, so thank you, thank you, Ipsy. Pacifica products are cruelty-free and vegan--which is a big deal to me (especially, the cruelty-free part). Another note: Pacifica products are great quality and they're affordable--so if you try it and like it, then you can afford to buy more and that's really nice.

It's possibly the colors from the Enlighten Eye Brightening Mineral Eye Shadow Palette (that's a mouthful). I'm not saying it is, I'm just saying it looks like it could be. I'm kinda iffy about naming colors.

See you back here on Monday for the next Ipsy Sneak Peek!

Post contains referral link.

I'm so into you, I can't think of nothing else

2014-04-23T09:33:00.002-04:00

Playing a little love music this morning. :) I'm so into this song.

Grooveshark Player

So Into You by Atlanta Rhythm Section on Grooveshark

Atlanta Rhythm Section ARS - So into You
Lyrics

When you walked into the room

There was voodoo in the vibes

I was captured by your style

But I could not catch your eyes

Now I stand here helplessly

Hoping you'll get into me

I am so into you

I can't think of nothing else

I am so into you

I can't think of nothing else

Thinkin' how it's gonna be

Whenever I get you next to me

It's gonna be good

Don't you know

From your head to toe

Gonna love you all over

Over and over

Me into you, you into me

Me into you

I'm so into you

I'm so into you...

When you walked into the room

There was voodoo in the vibes

I was captured by your style

But I could not catch your eyes

Now I stand here helplessly

Hopin' you'll get into me

I am so into you

I can't get to nothing else

I am so into you, baby

I can't get to nothing else, no, no, no

Come on baby

I'm so into you

Love the things you do

Listen, baby

You're driving me crazy

Come on baby

I'm so into you

Love the things you do

Quotes About Life and Love

2014-04-21T23:00:00.000-04:00

I love quotes and sayings. Sometimes, you find the perfect ones to fit your life or thoughts and it's really satisfying. I think I'll start adding more of my favorites to my blog. Hope you enjoy.

I love this one. Have faith in yourself. Trust your own wings.

We're all looking for "the one", aren't we? Some of us find that person and live happily ever after; others spend their life wondering "what if/if only". Settling isn't the end of the world, but it feels good to be in love. I've learned that no one understands love. Don't be afraid to love someone you've loved before. People are always saying "don't look back", but if you don't, then you'll never remember where you came from or how you got "here". You may have made a mistake in the past and you need to turn around... turn around and go back before you go too far in the wrong direction. People change, life changes, and you could be the right people, but it was the wrong time. I believe in second chances. Love is what life is made of--we need a lot of it everyday.

Word.

So true... so true...

Dove Men+Hair for Strong, Manly Hair

2014-03-28T11:44:00.002-04:00

I wrote this sponsored post on behalf of Global Influence

Men can easily address their hair concerns with great-smelling shampoos from Dove Men+Hair. My younger brother has really long hair--it's gorgeous--and he loves to try out different shampoos. I often gift him Dove for Men products and attach something with it, such as a gift card; it's nice to put a practical gift with a gift card. Walmart has great prices on all of their shampoo, including Dove Men+Hair.

Dude, Which of the 5 Hair Scenarios is YOUR Hair?

The Good Hair Guide will show you which of the 5 hair scenarios describes your hair, so go check it out! It's a fun, informative guide with photos and examples. It will help you understand your hair type and what shampoo you should use for your individual needs. Did you know there was a shampoo for those with a sensitive-to-the-touch scalp? Neither did I until I read the Good Hair Guide.

Doggy Alcott Backpack and Harness Review with Giveaway!

2014-03-23T22:58:00.001-04:00

Let me tell you about my best friend(s). She's been with me through-and-through and always makes me laugh. We both became moms just a few weeks apart and we spend a lot of time together. My best friend's name is Ruthie aka RooRoo or "the Roo"; she has puppies who are the same age as my son and they're known as "The Roo Crew!"

The Roo Crew

Meet Ruthie, Chelsea, Ollie and Sophie.

RooRoo (and her crew are) is my constant companion and we've been on many adventures together. There was one that one time we found the turtle next to our gate, that one time Sophie jumped in the baby's pool and gained the ability to run at super-speed, and many, many little road trips. Roo has been to college, to the salon, and even to a seafood restaurant (she ordered the shrimp). We go outside for walks each day and the Roo Crew always has a great time.

Every day with a dog is an adventure, because they love life and appreciate the simple pleasures of friendship. I decided it was time for my Roo (and the crew) to have a backpack, because dog's have belongings, too. I found a really cool little backpack from Alcott Adventures (offered to me for an editorial) and I'll tell you all about it. Oh, and I also got a extra-easy-to-use harness, too!

Let's start the photo story! Scroll along with me!

Doggy Backpack from Alcott Adventures

A backpack for dogs is just what it sounds like--it's an accessory that your dog wears along with their usual collar and leash. The backpack allows your dog to help carry some of their own supplies, such as waste bags, snacks, collapsible water bowls, medication, first aid supplies and more.

This dog backpack from Alcott Adventures has zippered pockets on each side; one side is insulated (to keep things cold/warm) and the other side has a zippered pocket and a waste bag dispenser (how convenient!).

Putting the backpack on my dog is a breeze, because there are buckles and the design is very efficient; in fact, I only had to open two buckles to put this on my dogs, because they can step into one side and then I just fasten it closed around their waste and neck.

The dog backpack comes in several sizes--small, medium, large--we're using the small one for my dogs. My dogs are 10, 13, 14, and 20 pounds and the backpack works for all of them. You can measure your dog(s) to see what size backpack they will wear, as Alcott puts this sizing chart on their product page.

There's also a handle made to the top of the backpack for your convenience. I like the breathable mesh liner and the padded design. The trim of the backpack is reflective for doggy safety.

The cost of the backpacks range from $33.99-$35.99 at the time of this post. I'm very satisfied with the Adventure Backpack from Alcott, so far! Three out of my four dogs love to wear it. My Chelsea-Dear doesn't like to wear anything, but she thinks it looks cool on the other dogs; I can tell from the way she starts a game of chase as soon as someone puts the backpack on. :)

Great Find~ Alcott Adventure Harness

I've tried many harnesses and some of them are down right tricky. No one has time for that, right? The Adventure Harness from Alcott is wonderful! I mean, really wonderful.

It has buckles on it, so that you can just fasten it around your dog's neck and then again around their waist. Like the backpack, I only had to undo two buckles and just slip it around RooRoo's body and fasten her up for good times.

-"Ring, Ring... Adventure calling."

--"Snap, snap. Let's goooo!"

My RooRoo has a sensitivity to light; doggy sunglasses are on my list, now.

I love that this harness has two D-rings located on each end of the top piece; you could attach any leash or even a doggy seat belt clip to it (also available from Alcott).

The harness contains a tough-duty center piece that runs down the top of your dog's body. The bottom of the harness is a soft, mesh chest piece that is reinforced with a durable lining. The entire harness contains reflective accents for safe walks and adventures.

The Adventure Harness also comes in small, medium or large sizes. All of my dogs wear the small size. What's helpful at Alcott Adventures web site is that the sizes are the same across all products. If your dog wears a small in the harness, then your dog will wear a small in other products, such as the backpack.

Giveaway! and a Peek at the Alcott Adventures Site

When you order from Alcott Adventures, the shopping, sizing and checkout processes are a breeze. I know this, because I've already tried it and I really love their site. You can shop either by adventure (like, mariner, traveler, essentials) or by product type. They have so much to offer and it's all useful stuff to make each day into an adventure for your puppy dawg and you!

Giveaway rules. Open to USA only. Ages 18+. One winner will receive a $25 gift code to Alcott Adventures web site. Entries will be verified before winner is contacted. Winner will have 48 hours to respond by email or another winner will be randomly selected in their place. Daydreaming Realist is not responsible for prize shipment. Thank you for reading and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product samples were received to facilitate this review. This post is not monetarily sponsored. All opinions and doggy photos are my own.