I love being a homeowner, for now I have a permanent palette to create and decorate as I please.  We've lived in our home for over seven years now and have changed nearly every inch of it to suit our style and tastes.  Our upstairs bathroom was one of the first rooms we redid because it's used so often.  Unfortunately, we were quite short-sighted in choosing a shower head for this project and based our decision on looks, not function, which we now regret. When thinking of changing our bathroom's shower head, several manufacturers came to mind, including Delta Faucet [...]

This is just the beginning of Bathe in Luxury with a Delta In2ition Shower Head #womansin2ition ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Have you ever been on a play date, at a school function or playground and interacted with a group of other moms?  I don't know why, but situations like these tend to make me a tad uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being "sized up" for some reason.  In my opinion, women are pretty competitive against each other in general, but when you throw children into the mix, the claws really come out.   Before long, the conversation always seems to turn to how brilliant, beautiful and talented everyone's child is and how everyone's family is the picture of [...]

This is just the beginning of Ever Felt Judged By Other Moms? You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

This year, Spring has arrived with a BANG here in Houston.  Both April and May have brought a lot of rain our way and that bang I mentioned is more like the clap of thunder.  Even though the temperatures are mild and pleasant at the moment, the rain is keeping my active 4-year-old indoors.   I do my best to keep Riley entertained and happy, but being a work-at-home mom with a cooped up and energetic 4-year-old can be challenging sometimes.  If you're in the same boat and are looking for fun ways to entertain your children during those rainy [...]

This is just the beginning of Phase 4 Films Has the Cure for the Rainy Day Blues ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

On May 1st, Houston was busy celebrating the upcoming Kentucky Derby event in true Southern fashion at the Ruth's Chris Big Reds & Bourbons Dinner.  A delectable 5-course menu designed by cookbook author and celebrity TV show host, Joey Altman, delivered in a major way and the amazing Bulleit 10-year bourbon was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. Ruth's Chris Steak House celebrated all things Derby in 74 locations across the country on May 2nd.  From the first smooth and sweet Bulleit Bourbon Mint Julep served, my husband and I knew we were in for a down-home celebration like no [...]

This is just the beginning of Celebrating Southern Traditions Both Old and New at Ruth’s Chris Steak House ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Jewelry is one of my favorite items to shop for because wearing jewelry can make you look terrific as well as be an instant conversation starter all at the same time!  I've always been drawn to unique jewelry because I love to make a statement and I've recently discovered a very original line of handcrafted jewelry from Waxing Poetic. At Waxing Poetic, they believe that faith, risk, hope, and joy are inextricably bound, and never mutually exclusive. Their jewelry is fabricated by an incredible batch of Balinese crafts-persons who devote themselves and their lives to beauty, both in action and intent. [...]

This is just the beginning of Give Mom a Gift to Cherish with Sentimental Jewelry from Waxing Poetic ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's time to reflect on what our own moms (and dads) have sacrificed and given to us from the moment they became parents.  I never truly realized just what it takes to become a parent until I had my only child, Riley.  It's a relentless job that requires all of your time, patience, love, compassion, guidance and discipline, each and every day without fail.  The benefits are innumerable and immeasurable, but so is the devotion and dedication required. So how can you celebrate the years of devotion and dedication that all parents give [...]

This is just the beginning of Give Mom Comfort and Support with a Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Mattress ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Birthdays are a constant reminder that time is tick, tick, ticking away.  I will be turning 37 in just a few days and that upcoming milestone has me looking closer and closer in the mirror.  Unfortunately, more and more fine lines and wrinkles seem to be staring back at me which is why I am ever vigilant about finding top of the line skin care products to help slow the hands of time. HTY Gold is a unique, patented formula that converts natural oils into an innovative creamed oil that conquers dry, wrinkled, crepe-paper skin.  This revolutionary combination of lipids [...]

This is just the beginning of Has HTY Gold Bottled the Fountain of Youth Once and for All? ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Have you ever experienced the pure luxury and comfort that comes from standing on a GelPro anti-fatigue mat?  If you haven't, prepare your feet for an amazing experience.  GelPro's high-quality mats are the perfect addition to any kitchen because they ease your tired tootsies and release the stress from your back and legs while you stand to prepare a meal. While the original GelPro anti-fatigue mats look great in the kitchen, their overall "rubber mat" appearance didn't make them an attractive option in other rooms of the home.  Now, GelPro has solved that dilemma by creating the new Ergo Comfort [...]

This is just the beginning of GelPro Ergo Comfort Rug Brings Comfort and Beauty to Every Room in Your House ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.  The race is known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate duration, and is also called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions play a large role in the Derby atmosphere.  The mint julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup, is the traditional beverage of the race.  This event attracts the rich, the [...]

This is just the beginning of Experience True Southern Hospitality at the Ruth’s Chris Big Reds and Bourbons Dinner ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

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 them! 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 your [...]

This is just the beginning of Howdy Pardner! It’s Stick ‘Em Up Friday for April 26th ~ List All Your Giveaways Here! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

If you're a mom, more than likely you're constantly on the go with your kids.  Trips to school, sporting events, play dates and family vacations keep you in the car and on the move.  Riding in the car with your children can be a lot of fun though if you do your best to maximize your family's "car time". Riley and I love playing games like I Spy, Find the ____ Colored Vehicle, etc.  Of course, now that Riley is 4 years old, we love playing car karaoke too!  Riley definitely has a talent for memorizing songs quickly and she [...]

This is just the beginning of Have Fun and Be Safe When You Hit the Road with Cooper Tire and Scholastic ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

I don't mind brushing my teeth.  It's one of those tasks that has become so much easier and enjoyable thanks to my high-powered electric toothbrush.  Unfortunately the ease and enjoyment comes to a screeching halt once it's time to floss.  I always feel like a mini-contortionist with a piece of dental floss because I am constantly stretching and manipulating my fingers so that I can try and get in-between each and every tooth. Because flossing is always such a chore, I find myself doing it more infrequently than I should.  Thankfully, Philips Sonicare has created a way to bring flossing [...]

This is just the beginning of Improve Your Dental Health by Flossing with Air Instead of String ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

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 them! 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 your [...]

This is just the beginning of Howdy Pardner! It’s Stick ‘Em Up Friday for April 19th ~ List All Your Giveaways Here! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

One of the toys I never seemed to tire of playing with when I was a child was my Play-Doh collection!  As long as you have an active imagination, a little patience and a few neat molds and tools, a few jars of Play-Doh can keep you busy for hours.  Ever since Riley grew past the stage of putting everything she picked up directly into her mouth, she's been enamored with the wonders and fun of Play-Doh. Now that Riley's an active preschooler, she loves anything and everything to do with the Disney Princesses.  Thankfully, Play-Doh has partnered with Disney [...]

This is just the beginning of Play-Doh Plus Disney Princesses Equals One Happy Little Girl ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Today is April 15th, the end of another hectic tax season.  I finished my taxes last month, but have to admit that it took an entire weekend to get all of my receipts, documents and other information organized and totaled up.  Swimming in a sea of paperwork is absolutely no fun at all and it's so easy to make a mistake once it comes to itemizing the numerous deductions most of us take on our taxes. Every year, I vow to be more organized so that next year's taxes won't be such a chore, but I've never really found a great way [...]

This is just the beginning of Finally… The Way to Make Tax Preparation Quick and Easy! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

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 them! 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 your [...]

This is just the beginning of Howdy Pardner! It’s Stick ‘Em Up Friday for April 12th ~ List All Your Giveaways Here! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Perfume for women is one of the little indulgences I love to shop for.  Wearing a great smelling perfume is always an instant pick-me-up and gives me a renewed sense of confidence.  I'm usually partial to floral or musky perfumes and so when I learned of the brand new variety from Guess, Guess Girl, I just had to give it a whiff. Guess Girl is a youthful, medium-heavy perfume for women It comes in a clear glass bottle adorned with a simple black ribbon.  The signature piece is the intricate glass/fabric flower on top which really adds a delicate, girly [...]

This is just the beginning of Guess Girl Perfume: A Delightful Floral Fragrance to Take You Through the Day ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Of the many truisms offered by the Ancient Greeks, the benefits of moderation and balance in life is one of the most enduring.  Unfortunately, maintaining biological balance as we age beyond midlife can be almost impossible – at least, without appropriate intervention, says Dr. Steven Hotze. “People accept that our hormones slowly diminish as we age, but it has taken the mainstream medical community a very long time to accept that our hormonal imbalances cause age-related health problems,” says Dr. Hotze, founder of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, (www.hotzehwc.com), and author of “Hormones, Health and Happiness.” “Fifteen years ago, [...]

This is just the beginning of Are Hormones the Key to Good Health and Happiness? ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Keeping a preschooler 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 that we can play together which also help her develop new skills. I've long been a fan of Peaceable Kingdom's Cooperative Games collection because these games allow you to play together with your child instead of compete against them.  Riley and I recently had the chance to review a brand new board game along with a glow-in-the-dark sticker book from Peaceable Kingdom.  Keep reading to learn more! Spin the spinner and get to stacking [...]

This is just the beginning of Plenty of Stack Up and Sticker Fun from Peaceable Kingdom ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

In an effort to slow down the hands of time and keep myself fit, I've taken up running.  My favorite place to run is along the many sidewalks and trails surrounding my neighborhood.  I have to admit that I don't necessarily enjoy running, but I haven't found anything else quite like it which whips my cardio level and endurance into shape so quickly. In order to achieve my personal best while running around the neighborhood, I must zone out.  That's why the clothing I choose to wear is of utter importance to my overall performance.  If a garment is uncomfortable, [...]

This is just the beginning of Be a Fit Fashionista in Athletic Clothing from Ellie ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

I've always been plagued by my freckles and other signs of sun damage on my face.  I wish I would have practiced better sun protection when I was younger, for now, my skin is definitely paying the price.  If you suffer from pigmentation issues, but have nowhere to turn, Elure Advanced Lighting Technology is a new topical cosmetic solution. This system utilizes a natural enzyme technology that temporarily reduces dark-colored pigmentation that is marring your skin.  Elure’s gentle formulas work to correct this discoloration.  Want to learn more about the products that can deliver serious results?  Then keep reading to [...]

This is just the beginning of Elure Advanced Skin Lightening Night Cream, Lotion and Facial Wash Temporarily Reduces Dark-Colored Pigmentation ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

Are you a busy mom with a family that's always on the move?  These days, a hectic lifestyle definitely seems to be the norm and not the exception, which can make healthy eating next to impossible.  I love finding delicious grab-and-go options that are both healthful and portable.  That's why I was all ears when I learned of the new DOLE Fruit Crisps. These pocket-size snacks contain all natural fruit, are made with whole grain oats and come in three yummy varieties: peach, apple cinnamon and apple pear.  Not only did I have the chance to sample these new fruity [...]

This is just the beginning of Whether at Home or On the Go, DOLE Fruit Crisps Have Snacking Covered ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

In the age of technology, I must admit that I cannot take a trip lasting more than a few hours without my trusty laptop.  Of course, I usually carry my camera and iPad wherever I go too.  Because I'm constantly toting these expensive electronics around, I rely heavily on a quality travel bag to protect them on the journey. STM is an Australian company whose main mission is to design stylish bags and accessories that protect your precious technological devices whenever you hit the road.  I had the chance to review one of their newest creations, the Impulse Medium Laptop [...]

This is just the beginning of Hit the Streets in Style with the STM Impulse Laptop Backpack ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

I am so excited to have found the perfect place for a swimsuit this year!  This summer will probably be the most challenging for me, since my body is FAR LESS than perfect.  As you may have read about in some of my previous posts, I'm currently on a mission to lose at least 15 pounds thanks in part to my recent diagnosis with Hashimoto's disease. Now, believe me, I would rather not frequent the pool right now, but the weather has been gorgeous and a 4-year-old just doesn't understand that we can't go to the pool because mommy has [...]

This is just the beginning of GIVEAWAY ~ Hapari Swimwear is the Summer Solution for Flattering and Fantastic ~ ARV $95 ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!

You may not know this about me, but I am a total cereal junkie!  As far back as I can remember, I've enjoyed eating cereals of all kinds, but especially those considered to be more healthy.  Breakfast cereals are a great source of fiber, whole grains and essential vitamins and minerals.  If you choose wisely, you can find a heart healthy variety which also tastes delicious! I've long been a fan of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal for it truly offers a little bit of everything...great crunch, sweet honey flavor and that whole grain goodness that always puts a smile [...]

This is just the beginning of Share Your Smile with Honey Bunches of Oats and You Might Win $2,000! ~ Please stop by and tell me what you think!