Life As A Mrs.

Yoplait Lactose Free

2012-02-01T09:59:00.001-05:00

All of us know of someone or our selves who are lactose intolerant. Which means no dairy products, or you are left with one unhappy tummy. No one likes that.

February is Lactose Awareness Month. Just in time for it, yoplait has come out with lactose free yogurt! It comes in four delicious flavors, strawberry, peach, french vanilla and cherry. It contains 50% if the daily value of calcium, with vitamins A and D in each cup and 99% fat free. It contains no artificial sweeteners and can be used in some of your favorite recipes; like chocolate cream brulee and raspberry cheesecake.

If you would like to try out this new yogurt, leave a comment for a .30 cents off coupon of one yogurt!

Brought to you by Pssst.

Mess Free Finger Painting!

2012-01-31T15:00:00.006-05:00

Have you checked out Pinterest yet? If not you should. It's like chocolate, it's addicting. Too addicting.

Anyways, the Hippie Housewive shared a pin of mess free finger painting! What a great idea! Seriously, with a one year old who LOVES to paint, but really has no control of what or where she is painting, this is great! It's even great as a learning lesson, to mix colors in older toddlers !

First you put, paint, as many colors as you want in a gallon sized freezer bag, close the bag making sure all the air is out. Place it on the table and surround the bag with tape so it's secure. You can place a piece of paper underneath the bag if you want.

Then let your little one go to town! Kiley is such a serious painter!

Kiley decided she wanted to try using her bracelet to help paint also.

General Mills Cereal and Whole Grains

2012-01-31T09:33:00.004-05:00

Did you know that starting this month General Mills has over 50 cereals that their first ingredient is whole grain? Whole grain is super important in a nutrient rich diet. A diet rich in whole grains, can lower body weight, reduce risk of heart disease and cancer.

If a box of General Mills has a white check on the front of the box, it has whole grain as the first ingredient. They also implemented a new side panel, that highlights the grams of whole grain per serving, making it easier to find foods that help you get their recommend amount of whole grain servings per day.

Visit Whole Grain Nation to virtually navigate through grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain listed as the first ingredient. You have the chance to win one of each of the 50 cereals with whole grain!

If you would like a coupon for $1.75 off 2 boxes of cereal, leave a comment!

Brought to you by Pssst.

Love this face!

2012-01-16T13:18:00.001-05:00

How could you not?!

Do Less

2012-01-16T08:38:00.003-05:00

Margaret, check out her blog here, a friend from a message board showed me this amazing website called Productive Parenting. Everyday it sends you an activity to do with your child. I love it because while Kiley and I something everyday educational and fun, it's always nice to throw in something new.

They sent out an email this morning that really made me think. We all go crazy making so many New Years Resolutions. We can't keep up with them because we make so many, we go crazy trying to make them all work. So just do less this year. Don't make a ton of resolutions!

Worry about what your kids know and not what they can't do. Worry about what you can do and can achieve and not what you can't do or achieve. Worry less about the guilt you feel when you can't get something accomplished because of time. Make less commitments so you have more time to your self and your family.

Make senses, huh?

Review: Purex Triple Action

2012-01-03T15:40:00.003-05:00

Recently I was sent Purex Triple Action Laundry Detergent. This is a new and improved formula. It's also have the price of the leading brand. It works with both HE washers and regular washing machines.

I'm always hesitant to use other laundry detergents because in the past I've had problems with itchy skin from using something else then I use regularly. I decided to just do a small load of laundry to see how I liked the detergent, if I felt everything was clean and smelled great.

The Purex Triple Action didn't disappoint. The laundry came out clean and crisp and also smelled just fine! They also have a free and clear detergent that I would love to try out for Kiley's clothing.

Stay tuned in the new few weeks for Purex Triple Action and more information on their new and improved line.

Stay connect with Purex on Facebook and Twitter.

*Purex provided a free sample of the Triple Action Laundry Detergent so I could write a review, however all of the opinions expressed here are my own.*

Happy 2012!

2012-01-03T09:11:00.003-05:00

I've been slacking horribly on both of my blogs. With the holidays and all the traveling we have done, I haven't had time to even sit down with the computer and get anything done for my blogs! So hopefully with the new year and not traveling as much, I'll have time to sit down and blog!

Just to check in, things are going good here! Kiley is almost 17 months old already, and she's definitely a toddler. There's no denying that! I'm almost 27 weeks pregnant and can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going!

We had an amazing Christmas with our family and friends. This year was so great to see how excited Kiley was when she opened her gifts.

Stayed tuned as I get back to my regular blogging!

Brilli Kids Little Reader Chinese Edition

2011-12-09T09:54:00.002-05:00

As a member of the BrillKids Blog Team, I was recently given the opportunity to review their Little Readers Program Chinese. I was able to review the online program of Little Readers.

Just like the English version this version is just as great. It exposes your child to words they probably wouldn't hear unless you were doing a language program with them. Kiley sat down and was interested to go over the lesson, just as she was with the English version. In fact, she seemed to like the different accent of words as she wold smile when she heard them. Everyday that we do the Little Reader she becomes more content and will sit longer for the lesson. She also starts to point to different body parts they pick out, by being able to follow the pictures she can see. She may not understand the word in the Chinese language, but when she is able to put a picture with it, she can understand what the word means and will follow.

Just like the English Little Readers program. the Chinese program is very user friendly. Lessons are short but very educational. The Chinese version teaches 3, 576 words and has 2. 768 images to go along with the words. Each word comes with 3 recorded voices, 3-5 images and 2-4 picture audio. All the voice recordings are in Mandarin. You can also select if you would like the traditional or simplified version. The program comes with a 12 month lesson plan. You can also use the BrillKids forum and download more content to your lesson plans. There are two different programs you can purchase from BrillKids. The first version retails for $250.00 and includes the Little Reader software, pattern phonics flash cards, 1 year program of the English Curriculum program, starter flap card kit, The Little Reader storybook series, which includes 25 books, weekly lesson plans, Teaching Your Baby To Read Booklet, 6,000 Loyalty Bonus Points, Teaching with Little Reader booklet, sticker labels for playing the labeling game. Little Reader Basic retails for $149 and includes, The Little Reader software, 1 year program of the English Curriculum, Teaching Your Baby To Read booklet, and the Teaching With Little Reader Booklet.

You can also do a 14 day free trial of the program, which I highly suggest downloading and seeing how much this program can really help your child to read. You can start the Little Reader program in between 3-6 months or you can wait till your child is 1 or 2. So why teach your child to read so young? Well there are many benefits. One of them is that children who teach reading before formal schooling starts are seen to have higher self-esteem and confidence levels, than those who had parents who didn't encourage early reading. Children are also more likely to be more successful in school activities and want to learn more eagerly. Remember keep your lessons fun and exciting and it will keep your child engaged! Kiley likes this program so much that every time she sees the computer she waits for me to turn Little Reader on! I was provided this product in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion. I was not paid for the review, nor required to write a positive review.

Enter Enter!

2011-12-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Have you entered the awesome giveaway over at Wives Unscripted?

If not, you should! It's for a free holiday card design! You get to choose from 3 different styles. A digital copy will be made for you and all you have to do is send to get it printed!

What are you waiting for? Take a task off of your holiday to do list!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-12-01T09:02:00.002-05:00

Day 28-

A Gift

Cuisinart Stand Mixer, love this thing! I do a lot of baking and use this ALL the time!

Day 29-

Something In Your Home

My Bed(I don't have a picture of this, sorry, but it's sooo comfy!)

Day 30-

The Thing I'm Most Thankful For

Again, no picture here cause there's a million of them, but most importantly, my family, pets and friends =)

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-28T09:37:00.003-05:00

Love

Day 23-

A Feeling

Day 24-

A photograph

A Cottage Sunset

Day 25-

A luxury

My feather pillow

Day 26-

A Charity

Day 27-

A Song

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-22T08:55:00.003-05:00

Playing catch up here!

Day 18-

A saying/quote or scripture

Day 19-

A favorite piece of clothing

Nothing like a big comfy hoodie

Day 20-

A Keepsake

Engagement Ring

Day 21-

A disappointment or fear

I'm not sure really what to put here. I guess a disappointment would be that I didn't reach my goal weight in the time I wanted to, but life happens, and I plan to after this baby to get back on track!

Day 22-

A Book

Come on, if you grew up in the 80's and are a girl, there's no way you can't tell me you didn't read some Double Fudge!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-17T14:21:00.003-05:00

Day 17-

A Store

This is a tie, a 3 way tie. I don't know what I'd do with Wegmans, Kohl's and Target. Seriously these are the best three stores ever. Wegmans because you get everything and anything there, organic, non-organic, lunch, dinner items. Everything!

Kohl's-they have amazing sales, I can always find what I'm looking for.

Target-Do I need to even say anything? It's Target!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-16T09:14:00.002-05:00

Day 16-

An experience

Giving birth to Kiley, it's a moment I'll never forget. Not one detail about. The whole process, from the start, being in labor for 38 hours and hearing her first cry after she was born.

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-15T08:55:00.002-05:00

Day 15-

A Recipe

Chris's Pot Roast

It's the best recipe out there for a fall day. Taste so good, so yummy and so comforting!

Big Announcement!

2011-11-14T10:05:00.001-05:00

Time for the reveal! Finally after months months of planning, designing, and preparation I can finally share what the big announcement is!

Wives Unscripted

So what is it? It's a collaborative blog, that was started by 12 other amazing ladies and my self! I met these ladies while planing my wedding, on a well known wedding message board. We've all stayed connected from the time we were engaged and till now, 3 years after our marriages. There is a group of about 25 of us or so that still all talk to each other, at least once a day, if not more, via social networking/email/phone calls/text! Anyways, 13 of us decided we wanted to start a blog, since most of are bloggers anyway, we though creating a collaborative blog, where women came come and read and relate to our personal lives would be awesome. So we started it and today it launches! The first week you'll be meeting each of our bloggers and then stayed tuned next week for our blog post to really begin!

I'm super excited and hope you become a fan!

And yes, I will still continue to blog here and my food blog!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-12T09:31:00.000-05:00

Day 12-

A gadget

The Diaper Genie

Let's face it, poopy diapers STINK. Really bad, especially after a few days. This thing is a must have! Once you change that stinky poopy diaper, that smell is GONE forever, thanks to this gadget!!!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-11T09:34:00.004-05:00

30 Days Of Thanks

Day 13 & 14

Day 13-

Something Old

Hair ties! Seriously, they are SOO easy to throw your hair back when you have a little one and even when you don't! How can you NOT be thankful for these?!

Day 14-
Something New

A Keruig. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do love sweet hot drinks, like tea, cappuccino's, and hot apple cider. But I love it because my husband is an avid coffee drinker, which means I got to dump the coffee pot, dump the coffee grounds, etc. and I used to HATE have to do any of that, it's awesome!!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-11T09:25:00.003-05:00

Day 11-

A Tradition

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at my church, I know I don't post at all about religion on my blog, but this service at church is super important to me. Every year, my Nana and I would go to this service. There's just something about being in church with only candles lit and celebrating the Christmas Season. My grandmother passed away in June of 2010, and unfortunately last year we were unable to make it to the service and I was pretty crushed. I feel this is something I need to do every year to celebrate her and something she loved to do.

Also, today we all should be thankful for our Veteran's and all they have done for us.

Cinnabon, Yummy!

2011-11-10T14:30:00.000-05:00

Cinnabon is looking for ways to warm the hearts of others this holiday season and needs your help to Spread the Warmth through its Random 'Packs' of Kindness contest.

Cinnabon wants you to share its ooey-gooey awesomeness with friends, family, co-workers, and even strangers, and then share your story online! From November 6th through January 7th, share any act of kindness to qualify for a chance to win prizes! Simply photograph or video the reaction to a random act of kindness and submit it to the Cinnabon Facebook page for a chance to win free weekly Cinnapacks or a cash prize of $2,500 and a $2,500 donation to the charity of your choice.

For more contest rules and information on how you can help Spread the Warmth, visit the Cinnabon Facebook page.

This was provided by Cinnabon and General Mills through Pssst...

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-10T09:14:00.002-05:00

Day 10-A Time of Day

Disclaimer: I don't want anyone to think that I don't want to spend time with my daughter or that I can't wait for her to take a nap.

My favorite time of day is about 2:30 in the afternoon. It's when Kiley takes a nap everyday and it's my chance to just hang out, watch my DVR, clean house, snuggle with the pug and get blog post ready. It's my zen time.

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-09T08:48:00.000-05:00

Day 9-

A Blog

Designer Wife, otherwise I wouldn't of even thought to do this little blog project for the month. I also have to be super grateful for my own blogs cause it's allowed me to meet some awesome food bloggers! Like Nutmeg Nanny, Emily Malloy and My Life on a Plate.

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-08T08:45:00.002-05:00

Day 8-

A restaurant

Mmm, broccoli cheddar soup!

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-07T09:36:00.002-05:00

Day 7-

A Scent

Love this, nothing remind me more of home, then this scent !

30 Days of Thanks

2011-11-06T09:56:00.002-05:00

Day 6-

A pair of shoes

If you know me well, you know I live in flip flops, year round. They are the best shoe ever. So easy to put on and so comfy!