Mommy Living the Life of Riley!

Is Hard Water Ruining Your Appliances? Chances Are, The Answer Is Yes!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:00:52 +0000

Most Americans have hard water flowing through their plumbing, and it's taking a silent, but pricey toll on their water-using appliances and pipes. "If you think you're not affected, think again: 85 percent of Americans have hard water," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, the nation's leading provider of consumer reviews on local contractors and service companies. "Water with a high mineral count is really hard on your appliances and can take years off their useful lives." Signs your hard water is becoming a problem: Reduction in supply of hot water from a traditional tank water heater Clothes are [...]

Put Your Best Face Forward with Dr. Lin Direct ~ Here’s Two Giveaways You Don’t Want to Miss!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:22:23 +0000

I'm always on the hunt for great skin care products and Dr. Lin Direct carries some of the best brands in the business. They're having two top-notch giveaways going on now that I wanted to make sure you were aware of. Get your entries in and then make sure to stay tuned for a special Dr. Lin Direct product review from me. Have a wonderful weekend and good luck! Clarisonic Pro Giveaway - Retail Value $225 Win a Clarisonic Pro Face & Body Wash, the premiere skin care tool used by dermatologist at their own centers. Eligibility: 18+ Random Raffle, Open Til [...]

How to Talk to Kids About Tragedies & Disasters: Tips from World Vision

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:06:43 +0000

As information increases about the devastation of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, our children will likely see disturbing news footage and have questions about this tragedy. Below are several suggestions on how to talk with children about this disaster and its impact. These tips are provided by humanitarian organization World Vision. World Vision has worked in Japan for more than two decades and responded to the massive Kobe earthquake in 1995, and now has staff assisting in the relief efforts in Sendai. 1. Start by listening. Find out what your child already knows. You can then respond in an age-appropriate way. [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Majestic Royal Blue Musical Egg Trinket Box from Chasing Treasure ~ ARV $99!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:06:42 +0000

I think somehow little girls are just born with it...a love for jewelry and of course, for jewelry boxes! Of course, over time little girls grow into full-fledged women, but that love for sparkly things and the precious boxes that keep them never seems to go away. Chasing Treasure specializes in jewelry boxes of every shape and size, designed to keep your most prized possessions safe and sound. Their online store is chocked full of hundreds of first quality hand-picked products from the best brands and trusted manufacturers. I recently had the chance to review a musical egg trinket box [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Glade Expressions Collection Fragrance Mist and Oil Diffuser ~ ARV $13!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:56:48 +0000

Having a dog, a toddler and a husband in the house means that things can get a little smelly at times, especially in the bathroom! Now I realize that bathrooms aren't always going to smell like fresh flowers and apples, but there are times when I am literally smacked in the face with a pretty ripe stench when I enter our bathrooms. That's what I'd desperately like to prevent from happening! The new Glade Expressions Collection is the latest addition to the award-winning Glade portfolio and is inspired by current sentiments of maintaining a sense of well-being and balance. Were [...]

How to Throw a Fabulous Oscar Party on a Less Than Star-Studded Budget!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:40 +0000

Whether you're a movie buff or a fashion aficionado, Hollywood's most buzzed about event is more enjoyable when you can gossip with friends over celebrity style and debate the list of nominees for best actor. However, hosting an Academy Award party requires more than your typical party fare, since paper plates and pre-made dip fail to capture the magic of star-studded evening. On the other hand, tapping into emergency funds in the sake of honoring Tinsel Town's finest is a clear waste of money. Consider these red carpet-worthy ways to throw an unforgettable Oscar party on a budget: 1. Spread [...]

AbleNet Hook iPod Switch Access ~ Control an iPod or iPhone Music List with an Auditory Menu!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:35:08 +0000

AbleNet is a leader in providing educational and technical solutions to help children and adults with disabilities lead productive and fulfilled lives. This includes a complete line of communication aids for nonverbal individuals; access aids for all ages and situations; and special education classroom curriculum and software that both enhance and help ensure learning progress. AbleNet's products are used in hundreds of thousands of homes, clinics, and classrooms in the United States and across the globe. They've recently released the addition of the Hook iPod Switch Access to its top selling line of mobile device access products. Keep reading to [...]

Step Into Wellness With The Collection of Casual Footwear Styles from Earth Footwear!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:41:44 +0000

With the spring season only a month away, I'm already finding myself thinking ahead to cute Capri pants, sandals and sleeveless shirts. If you're like me and actively planning your spring and summer wardrobe, then I'd like to introduce you to Earth Footwear. Earth Footwear carries a modern collection of dress casual footwear, grounded in the ideals of promoting a healthy lifestyle. From dress styles and wedges, to casual styles, to everything in-between, Earth Footwear delivers remarkably against their value with a comfort footbed that puts wellness into every step. Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: I reviewed The Jacaranda [...]

Howdy Pardner! It’s Stick ‘Em Up Friday for February 24th ~ List All Your Giveaways Here!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:00:42 +0000

Now that Mommy Living the Life of Riley! is busy doing some awesome product giveaways, I really appreciate all of the many places out there in the blogosphere that allow me to publicize my giveaways! So, why not do the same thing here for my readers? Well, yippie-ki-yay because starting now, I am! So, come along little dogie and list all your giveaway linkys here! This list will keep going all week long. Make sure to check out all of the terrific giveaways I've got going on right now, which are listed to the left on my sidebar! Please list [...]

How to Save Big on Men’s Fashions ~ Budget-Friendly Tips for Looking Good on a Dime!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:34 +0000

When it comes to fashion, men have had a free pass for far too long. In the Information Age, not knowing any better simply doesn't cut it. Though casual attire is showing up in an increasing number of workplaces, there's still something to dressing for success. Stocking up on a few new looks might postpone your impending PlayStation 3 purchase, but it doesn't have to drain your bank account. There are plenty of affordable ways to create a professional wardrobe. Before you start buying up penny loafers and blazers, consider a few of these money-saving style tips for men. 1. [...]

Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair by Cozy Friedman ~ The Sweetest Hairstyles to Do at Home!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:58:11 +0000

Get the insider scoop on trouble-free ways to make girls’ hair pretty in no time at all! With tips on everything from the best cuts for all face shapes to instant fixes for bad hair days and five-minute styles, our expert instructions will show you how to give a girl a no-fuss, home haircut, too. This fun-to-use book incorporates step-by-step illustrations and lots of colorful photos of looks for girls of all ages. From ponytails to braids and buns to bobs, every girl can look her prettiest with a little help from Cozy! Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Hydros Side Fill Water Filtration Bottle ~ Save Money and Stop Waste ~ ARV $24!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:08:23 +0000

Whenever my family goes anywhere, be it to the local park or to another city entirely, I always have a full bottle of water in tow. I love how healthy and great tasting filtered water is on a hot day, but what happens when that one bottle you filled up before you left the house runs out? Most of the time, you must then resort to either purchasing a bottle of water, which is bad for the environment as well as your pocketbook, or go without, which isn't healthy. Thankfully, Hydros Bottle has solved this problem by allowing you to [...]

* WINNERS * Kyl, Shellie, Lily and Nancy are Living the Life of Riley! CONGRATULATIONS!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:40:09 +0000

I want to give a big and hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Kyl, the winner of the Dale and Thomas Popcorn Valentine's Day Six-Bag Sampler! Kyl now has 48 hours to confirm! *** CONFIRMED *** Out of 1,532 entries, number 277 was picked to be the winner by the True Random Number Generator via Rafflecopter: I also want to give a big and hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Shellie, the first winner of the Simple Skin Care Prize Pack from H-E-B Grocery Stores! Shellie now has 48 hours to confirm! *** CONFIRMED *** Out of 365 entries, number 157 was picked to be the [...]

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss ~ Why There is Something Rather Than Nothing

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:36:59 +0000

WHERE DID THE UNIVERSE COME FROM?WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE IT? WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING? AND FINALLY, WHY IS THERE SOMETHING RATHER THAN NOTHING? Lawrence Krauss’s provocative answers to these and other timeless questions in a wildly popular lecture now on YouTube have attracted almost a million viewers. As Krauss argues, scientists have historically focused on pressing issues, such as figuring out how the universe actually functions, which can ultimately help us to improve the quality of our lives. Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: I reviewed the book, "A Universe from Nothing" by Lawrence M. Krauss, which retails for [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Holmes HAP9424 HEPA-Type Air Purifier and aer1 Allergen Filters ~ ARV $110!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:33:13 +0000

The air quality in your home can affect your health in so many ways. Poor air quality can lead to getting sick more frequently and can really do a number on your allergies. If you don't have allergies, having poor air quality can actually help you to develop them. Since you probably spend at least 1/2 of your day in your home, you should do all you can to try and breath cleaner indoor air. This is where the Holmes HAP9424 HEPA-Type Air Purifier comes in. With this handy machine, you can dramatically reduce the level of dust, allergens and [...]

Top 6 Retail Trends Which Will Be Changing the Way We Shop in the Near Future!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:59:50 +0000

Despite the sluggish economy, e-commerce reported record sales last year with an anticipated double-digit growth in 2011. Fueled by new technology and an evolving social-media shopping sphere, commerce is almost unrecognizable to the common consumer. However, it spells good news for retailers who quickly adopt such changing sales and marketing strategies. With daily deals delivered via Twitter feeds and mobile-friendly sale sites, the retail industry is expanding in directions it would have been difficult to predict even five years ago. Here are six retailer trends changing the way consumers shop in 2011. 1. Daily Deals With the explosion of limited-time [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Peaceable Kingdom Preschool Skills Builder Game of Your Choice ~ ARV $20!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:59:49 +0000

Keeping a three-year-old entertained all day in a way that's both enjoyable for her and for me isn't always easy. That's why I love finding games of all kinds that we can play together, which also help her develop new skills. I've long been a fan of Peaceable Kingdom's Cooperative Games, which allow you to play together with your child instead of compete against them. Riley and I recently had the chance to review the Snug as a Bug in a Rug board game from Peaceable Kingdom. Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: I reviewed the Snug as a Bug [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Mohawk Home Area Rug of Your Choice (up to 5′ x 8″ size) ~ ARV $400!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:07:45 +0000

Since becoming a stay-at-home mom to my daughter three years ago, I've noticed that our living room has slowly but surely been transformed into Riley's playroom. I'll have to admit that it's much more convenient to have all her playthings here in the family room, but honestly, it's beginning to cramp my style. Our living room is the place where friends and family come to visit and it needed a major overhaul. Mohawk Home is the largest nationwide supplier of both rugs and mats, and for good reason. They offer beautiful designs and top-notch quality at an affordable price. I [...]

How to Have a Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party on an Ash Wednesday Budget!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:30:51 +0000

Mardi Gras celebrations are no longer limited to the Crescent City. You'll find beads, baubles and fine Cajun food everywhere from big-city civic centers to small-town backyards. Throw together some Second Line jazz, a few party hats, home-mixed Hurricanes and a crayfish boil and you've got your own celebration. You could lay out plenty for a prime-time Mardi Gras party, but there are always a few tips and tricks to help reduce costs. Check out the following seven ways to save while enjoying Fat Tuesday. 1. Homemade Food You could spend a fortune on catering to get that Cajun flavor, [...]

Top 8 Tips for Spending Your Tax Refund Wisely ~ Make That Cash from Uncle Sam Go Far!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:39 +0000

Tax season is upon us, and however much you dread completing your return this year, there's always solace to be had in the potential of a sweet reward: the refund. The average tax refund in 2011 was over $2,900, according to CNNMoney. Receiving such a large check typically feels like free money, and the desire to spend it on a big-screen TV or perhaps a plane ticket to Vegas is often difficult to overcome. However, there's nothing "free" about your refund--it's still you're hard-earned money! To avoid wasting the potentially lucrative lump sum, consider these eight tips for spending your [...]