Mommy Living the Life of Riley!

GIVEAWAY ~ H-E-B Beauty Pick of the Month for February ~ Simple Skin Care Products ~ ARV $24!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:36:55 +0000

My husband has some of the most sensitive skin I've ever seen. We're constantly on the hunt for skin care products which will effectively clean and moisturize his skin, without irritating it in any way. This year, it seems my search has just gotten a lot easier, for I've been chosen to participate in the H-E-B Beauty Bloggers program! Each and every month, I will be bringing you the H-E-B Beauty Pick of the Month with plenty of chances to nab some great prizes too! Simple skin care products are February's feature and I had the chance to sample three [...]

Make This Super Bowl Extra Super with a Brand New Recliner from Wholesale Furniture Brokers!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:00:07 +0000

Ah, the Super Bowl! It's the one day of ultimate decadence for all American sports fans! After the hot wings, chips and dips, pizza and other comfort foods enjoyed that day, a person needs just two things...a big screen TV to catch all of the Super Bowl action and a super comfy leather recliner! Thankfully, Wholesale Furniture Brokers has you covered in the high-quality recliners department. Although they have a great selection of recliners to choose from, the Alto Black Top Grain Leather Recliner especially caught my eye. Besides being a beautiful piece of furniture that would look great in [...]

Learn the Ins and Outs of Bulb Gardening and Enter to Win a $5,000 Yard Makeover!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:08:22 +0000

This post brought to you by Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done.. All opinions are 100% mine. My mom has one of the greenest thumbs imaginable. I swear, she can make anything grow! I, on the other hand, always need a great deal of help, which irks me. I love nature and wish that I could make a garden spring up around me, but for some reason, I tend to have the most difficult time. Part of the reason has to do with where I live. Houston's unforgiving heat has killed many of my plants and left me scratching my head as [...]

Sara Haley’s Daily Exercise Plan ~ 12 Moves in 20 Minutes for 20 Pounds in 2012!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:11 +0000

During the holidays we all embraced family and loved ones while spreading cheer, exchanging gifts and curling up by the fire. While all that was nice we also overspent and overindulged on comfort foods and fatty treats, making it no coincidence that most women dedicated at least one New Year’s resolution to shedding that unwanted "winter coat". Celebrity fitness expert and brand new mommy, Sara Haley (www.sarafitness.com) has developed a great workout for the New Year that can be done in just 20 minutes promising, if done correctly and consistently, to help you shed that extra 20lbs to feel great as [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar Puffed Rice and Corn Snacks ~ ARV $27!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:41:00 +0000

With the Super Bowl just days away, you're probably already getting a game plan together for what snacks will be served while you enjoy all the football action. Recently, I learned that Americans consume, on average, 1200 calories IN SNACKS ALONE during the big game. This year, instead of reaching for that same old bag of greasy potato chips or neon orange cheese puffs, outfit your party with a healthier option that's as equally addicting...Pirate's Booty! I had the chance to sample the Aged White Cheddar variety of Pirate's Booty and can safely say that I'm now hooked. Keep reading [...]

Howdy Pardner! It’s Stick ‘Em Up Friday for February 3rd ~ List All Your Giveaways Here!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:00:56 +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 [...]

Throw an Amazing Super Bowl Party Like a Pro Using Only a Pauper’s Budget!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:22 +0000

Though the Super Bowl isn't an official holiday, it certainly gets the same special treatment. On the day of the big game, roads clear and stores empty as millions of Americans crowd around TVs to watch the perennial battle for the ultimate American sporting prize. The game is free to watch but the cost of hosting a party adds up quickly. When you're working on a shoestring budget, this can feel like a major obstacle to having the supreme Super Bowl shindig. While you probably won't be able to afford the coveted nacho-cheese fountain, there are still plenty of low-cost [...]

How to Budget and Save More Money While Department Store Shopping!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:04 +0000

JCPenney recently announced a permanent markdown of at least 40 percent on all it's merchandise - a preemptive move to introduce a tiered strategy of ongoing promotions to offer consumers more value. Wouldn't it be nice if all department stores followed suit? Since it's likely they won't, now is a good time to brush up on your department store shopping skills with these seven tips to save at your favorite stores. 1. Befriend Sales Associates Though your knee-jerk reaction to eager salespeople may be "I'm just looking," consider taking them up on their offer to serve you. Better yet, seek [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ Thrill Your Little Valentine With a Personalized Kid’s Gift from Frecklebox ~ ARV $30!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:18:13 +0000

This Valentine's Day, I plan on making sure my tiniest heart feels especially loved and cherished. We oftentimes focus on our spouses during this romantic holiday, but I think the our children get just as big a charge out of being someone's valentine. Adding personalization to an otherwise great gift just makes an item even more special. Frecklebox is well-known for creating personalized gifts for kids of all ages and they were generous enough to allow me to review two of their best-selling valentine-themed products. Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: I reviewed the following two items from Frecklebox: Valentine [...]

Sebamed Anti-Dry Night Intensive Cream Brings New Life to Winter-Dry Skin Through Phytosterols

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:16:53 +0000

Now that winter is in full swing, your skin might be feeling the drying effects of the season. Night treatments are generally the most effective in healing our skin due to the heightened nocturnal receptiveness and regenerative capacity of the skin's cells. That's why I was all too eager to give Sebamed Anti-Dry Night Intensive Cream a try. This cream has been specially formulated with a higher level of phytosterols to help regenerate dry skin and relieve tension and irritation. Keep reading to learn more! PRICE: I reviewed the Anti-Dry Night Intensive Cream from Sebamed, which retails for $23.95. [...]

February is National Children’s Dental Month ~ Keep Kids’ Teeth Healthy With These Tips!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:26 +0000

Tooth decay affects children in then US more then any other chronic infections disease. Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infections that may lead to problems, such as eating, speaking, playing learning. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect your child’s teeth. Dr. Singh is the founder & C.E.O of Arch Dental and editor of the Journal of Oral Implantology. He also regularly visits schools to teach kids how to brush their teeth, accompanied by a large stuffed alligator on which he demonstrates how to brush. Here are his top tips for keeping your child's smile healthy: How [...]

Pet Food, Treats, Toys and More at MrChewy.com ~ My Dog Gave Them Two Paws Up!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:58:22 +0000

My dog Noel is a cherished member of our family. I've known her almost as long as I've known my husband...twelve whole years! I can't imagine having a better dog, for Noel is truly one of my best friends. She's always there for me when I'm sick or feeling blue and I know that she loves me just as much as I love her. If you're lucky enough to have a special pet in your life like this, then you know that they deserve the very best. Mr. Chewy is an online hot spot for pet people to find the [...]

Keep Your Children Safe from Air Pollution and Toxic Chemicals By Following These Tips!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:17:38 +0000

A recent study conducted by the Kresge Foundation and published in Health Affairs found that treating children who are exposed to air pollution, toxic chemicals and other pollutants costs a staggering $76.6 billion dollars a year. The study also found that children with existing allergies to common airborne allergens are even more vulnerable to chemical pollutants than others. Chicago Healers Practitioner Martha H Howard, MD, says that simply being aware of what is most harmful to your children is the easiest way to protect them. She offers the following information and tips to keeping your children safe from air pollution [...]

* WINNERS * Charlotte, Sandy, Vera and Perk11 are Living the Life of Riley! CONGRATS!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:17:37 +0000

I want to give a big and hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Charlotte, the winner of the Original Rockboard Scooter from Rockboard Scooter! Charlotte now has 48 hours to confirm! *** CONFIRMED *** Out of 3,221 entries, number 2,850 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 Sandy, the winner of the set of 10 Braced-Lets! Sandy now has 48 hours to confirm! *** CONFIRMED *** Out of 275 entries, number 100 was picked to be the winner by the True Random Number Generator via [...]

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Daughter: the Cowboy, Fairy, Hula Girl, Ballerina, Snow Skier in Training!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:55:23 +0000

Life with Riley has always been exciting...just look at the self-made fashion statements she debuted today! Related Posts You Might Also Enjoy: Wordless (No, SPEECHLESS) Wednesday ~ There’s a Booger in the Dog Bowl! Wordless Wednesday ~ The Potty Training Saga…IT BEGINS! :) Wordless Wednesday ~ Some Days a Nice Picture is Just OUT OF THE QUESTION!This is just the beginning of Wordless Wednesday ~ My Daughter: the Cowboy, Fairy, Hula Girl, Ballerina, Snow Skier in Training! Please stop by and tell me what you think!

GIVEAWAY ~ Organize.com Gift Certificate from ShopRunner ~ 3 WINNERS ~ ARV $20!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:39:39 +0000

The National Association of Professional Organizers claims that we spend a year of our lives looking for lost items. ShopRunner is a members-only free shipping service that provides users access to the organizational products they need to quickly tackle their spring cleaning tasks with free two-day shipping from over 90 top retailers. They've compiled a list of the top 10 organizational items from a variety of today’s most popular retailers, including Organize.com, drugstore.com and Toys 'R' Us. With spring just around the corner – the ideal time to eliminate clutter and get organized – here's ten tips and tools to [...]

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with DIY Bath and Beauty Gift Ideas!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:56 +0000

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, so you know what that means...time to start breaking out those razors, shaving those legs and getting gussied up! Okay ladies, all kidding aside...around Valentine's Day is usually the time of year where we like to pamper ourselves and add a few extra steps into our beauty regimen so as to feel even more gorgeous. Erika Katz, author of Bonding Over Beauty, offers several luxurious ways to look and feel great without breaking the bank. Check out the following do-it-yourself beauty gift ideas for Valentine's Day: Bubble Bath 1 /4 cup liquid Castile Soap [...]

GIVEAWAY ~ The Vintage Pearl Hand Stamped Jewelry ~ 2 WINNERS ~ ARV $50!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:07:25 +0000

Hand-stamped jewelry makes a wonderful personal statement as well as a memorable and original gift giving idea! Any time I wear a piece of personalized jewelry, I feel like a mini "designer", for I had such a large role in determining the way a piece ultimately looks. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you may be searching for a unique way to express your love and gratitude to that special someone. The Vintage Pearl might just have the inspiration you've been looking for. They carry a wide variety of beautiful hand stamped jewelry just waiting for your own personal [...]

Essential Wardrobe Tips for Becoming a Working Mother with Style on a Budget!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:16 +0000

If your primary occupation over the last few months (or years) required more bedtimes than deadlines, you're not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 5 million women classified themselves as stay-at-home moms in 2010. Yet, that figure is down from just two years earlier as more mothers return to the workforce. For any mom taking on new 9 to 5 with duties that go beyond diapers and dinner, your wardrobe will likely need a makeover. However, sprucing up your business style doesn't have to drain your kids' college funds nor limit your options. Here are 8 tips [...]

Say Hello Diamonds ~ The Brilliance of Real Diamonds Without the Astounding Price Tag!

Melissa @ Mommy Living the Life of Riley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:04:41 +0000

Diamonds truly are a girl's best friend, but unfortunately as is the case for many of my wants, they are simply not in my budget. When buying diamond jewelry, bigger is almost always better, but size can oftentimes come at a price. Natural or man-made flaws, off-white color and lack of brilliance are always present in affordable diamonds of larger sizes. So what's a girl with a true diamond hankering to do this Valentine's Day? Let Say Hello Diamonds come to your rescue! They offer exceptional quality cubic zirconium jewelry at extremely affordable prices. Their high-quality replica diamonds will keep [...]