United States of Motherhood

Best Buy Open House Event Sat, January 19th from 11am to 3pm @BestBuy #BestBuyOpenHouse #ad

2019-01-18T17:28:00.002-08:00

This reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product.

Head over to select Best Buy locations this Saturday, January 19th from 11am – 3pm for their Open House Event.

Best Buy’s Blue Shirt experts can help you experience the best in major appliances from Samsung, Whirlpool, Café and GE.

You will also discover what’s new in Home Theater, receive free upgrade checks with Best Buy Mobile and see how small appliances can simplify your life.

Not only will you learn about the latest technology, at Best Buy’s Open House Event you’ll get access to exclusive offers.

Get a free $100 Best Buy Gift Card when you buy 2 or more appliances $999 and up. In-store only. Coupon will be given out at the event. You have from Saturday, 1/19 – Monday, 1/21 to redeem.

Attend this one-day-only event and enter the Best Buy Open House Sweepstakes for a chance to win a Whirlpool Washer/Dryer Set or a Samsung 55” Smart TV.

Be one of the first 75 people to register for a chance to receive a Best Buy gift card of up to $20 in value.

Visit https://bby.me/x45yz for more details and to learn which store near you is hosting the event!

When you think about Best Buy, you think about the latest in technology -- a new laptop, or the best big screen TVs. I mean yes, I bought my beautiful Samsung S9+ from Best Buy.

However, you know they also offer a full range of every major appliance you could need – from your standard washer/dryer to refrigerators and ovens?

And even the latest air fryer to make the game eats so much more healthy??

Check it out at the Open House near you!!

#AD Early Christmas Life Hack: The OS by Google: Michael Kors Access Runway Stainless Steel Smartwatch @BestBuy @MichaelKors #MichaelKors #AccessItAll

2018-12-19T11:05:00.003-08:00

This reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!And New Year's resolution of health are just around the corner.

Luckily, Santa via Best Buy and Michael Kors with a splash of Google OS sent this girl a sparkly little gadget that is both fashion, fitness, and tech-savvy together. It's time for me to life hack the holidays to know when I earned that extra thumbprint cookie or peppermint mocha and buy presents via Google Pay with the swipe of a wrist.

Hello lovah!!

Hello MY OS by Google: Michael Kors - Access Runway 41mm Stainless Steel Smartie!

Can't wait to move my butt. I've worn a step counter for years, but it's to be honest, no matter the band, it has always been this ugly, chunky in a bad way plastic piece that stands out like a sore thumb at Christmas parties.

It's been this choice for most of us of do we want an accurate read of pulse, calories, steps and receive my messages via a smart watch...or do I want to look pretty?

Now I can wear something that is both.

And FYI for those guys looking for a great gift for the women in your lives? This baby is on sale for $350 at Best Buy TODAY and comes in MK Gold and MK Rose Gold.

Need some more convincing?

Compatible with iPhone/iOS and Android.
Proactive Help From the Google Assistant: Keeps you ahead of your day with proactive, personalized help from Google Assistant, even before you ask. From viewing upcoming flight info to dinner reservations, you are good.

Smarter Health Coaching from Google Fit: Motivates you towards a healthier life with coaching and activity tracking based on guidelines from the American Heart Association & World Health Organization.

Google Fit app’s two new activity trackers—Heart Points and Move Minutes—which were designed in partnership with the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. These evidence-based metrics measure activity intensity, and smarter health coaching makes your fitness goals more achievable by motivating you to stay active throughout your day, everyday.

Maximizes Your Time: Get more done and maximize your time with more glanceable, easy to manage notifications, with smart replies to respond quickly on the go.

Quick access to Google Pay—so you can pay with a wave at almost anyplace that accepts credit cards.

Customize-able Face Watch: Fashion meets function with this designer brand: fresh, eye-catching design is perfect for transitioning from a workout to a night out with ease.

Stay poised and punctual with a gold-tone or rose gold-tone finish that embodies timeless sophistication, and its smartphone connectivity lets you take selfies, ring your phone, access music and keep track of personal goals. The round 42mm case of this Michael Kors smart watch makes it easy to see the interface.

Make every minute matter with smart help and health coaching, from the convenience of your wrist.

So go start making some hints to your loved ones that need some gift giving suggestions!!

Happy holiday, my friends!

See it. Stream it. #AD @MadeByGoogle Chromecast Found at @BestBuy

2018-10-16T17:42:00.002-07:00

#Ad This writer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card or product.

Chromecast is designed to make the most of the apps and entertainment already on your phone. Shows, movies, live TV, YouTube, photos and more. It’s all just a tap away from all of your family’s devices.

Y'all we are and have always been that early adopter techie family. It comes with being married to my engineer by degree, VP of operations and master of databases guy. He used to post bar codes in our fridge that he wanted the kids to scan when we ran out of milk. Ha! Yes, that kind of nerdy efficiency.

So of course, we cut the cord to cable years ago...and have never looked back. Chromecast has been our friend for a long time. In fact, I think my tween bought it for us one Xmas. See chip off the old block. Early adopter parents make for techie kiddos.

Last year, we added Google Home to every room.

Yes, lights on through out the house at the sound of my voice, music streaming on command, furnace adjusted, doorbell with our Nest connected, broadcasting to every speaker to my kids that dinner was ready...

...without having to raise my voice.

Heaven!

And, one of the best features? Not having to deal with the blasted remote that is missing from the last teen that used it and shoved it into the bowels of the couch. By voice, I tell Google to "cast 'Man in the High Castle'" while I am making popcorn and bam, it is streaming with the Google Chromecast Streaming Media Player by the time I plop on the couch with the hubs. I can also tell Google to pause while I go grab a snack, break up a puppy skirmish, move a teen's forgotten wet laundry into the dryer, or grab a glass of wine.

So what is Chromecast? Basically, it allows you to watch movies, shows, live TV, YouTube, and photos streaming on your TV from all your family's devices. Simply plug Chromecast into the HDMI port on your TV and you can stream your favorite entertainment right from your phone with just a tap or by voice through a Google Home device. Watch shows, listen to playlists, and more. And while streaming, you can still use your phone as you normally do.

Enjoy TV shows, movies, videos, songs, games, sports and more from over 2000 apps like Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV, and HBO NOW. (Web-based services and content require high-speed Internet service. Some services may require a subscription.) Find more at g.co/chromecast/ ¹ .

To start streaming with just your voice, just say what you want to watch from compatible apps and control your TV hands-free, with Chromecast and Google Home working seamlessly together.²

“Ok Google, play Stranger Things from Netflix on my living room TV.” ¹

Bonus: You do not need to get the latest TV to use it. You can expand your home entertainment without buying a new TV. It's so affordable you can get one for every TV in the house. Easily connects to high-definition televisions with HDMI connectivity.

Did I mention it solves arguments at the table? Too many times to count, we've asked Google Home to stream a YouTube video as proof. Heheh. Instant end of argument. And our nerd dog Ford says that is a good thing! More feeding under the table and less arguing and looking for the remote.

So check out a Chromecast @MadeByGooge at your nearest @BestBuy and tell'em Heather and Ford sent you!

¹ Subscriptions are required to view some content.

² Google Home, Chromecast, and compatible content required to cast to a TV using Google Home.

Note: Web-based services and content require high-speed Internet service. Some services may require a subscription.

Hello Dream Refrigerator: LG’s InstaView™ Door-in-Door® Refrigerator at Best Buy

2017-08-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Welp. Another year older this week 45! And suddenly I am feeling a burst of nesting going on. So much home improvement TV watching and suddenly out with the old, in with the new. Top of my list? This beauty!! LG’s InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerator:

Yep, a fridge, but not any refrigerator. A DREAM refrigerator for those of us moms of teens, tired of yelling close the *@$^* fridge door as kids stand blankly with fridge open FOREVER...only to declare we have no food.

Enter LG’s InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerators’ tinted glass panel which lets you knock twice to view and select items without opening the door.

Now, I can knock on this baby, point, and drop my mom mic.

Yep, the “knock twice” feature illuminates contents, allowing you to see inside without letting cold air out

See there, almost adult child with perfectly working eyes in your head.

See those carrots.

See that fresh fruit.

See those bags of salad, cups of Greek yogurt, and grapefruit.

Yes, sweetheart we DO have food.
Extra bonus? Our most popular items are in front and accessible (door-in-door feature), the ColdSaver™ Panel reduces cold air loss to extend the freshness of food, and it's super energy efficient - which saves on utility bills by reducing time spent choosing items with the door open.

Did I mention it's fingerprint resistant?? Oh sweet baby Jesus. I need this!! Check out more features of this LG’s InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerator at Best Buy.

So I think I missed putting this on my birthday wishlist, but hey August isn't too soon to write to Santa is it?

Getting So Old...and Silly

2017-05-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever sit there madly squinting at your screen and realize you can't read it and freak out and think this is it....I am old??

"Might as well put me out to pasture now," you sob.

I can't READ the screen.

Trifocals are coming.

Old folks home for me!

Oh lawd, buy me a walker with those tennis balls.

Send me to Denny's at 4PM for dinner.

Ross seniors discount on Tuesdays. I see so much polyester in my future.

Waaaaaaah....

...only to realize you had somehow zoomed out to 75% on your screen.

Oh. Thank the baby Jesus. Not yet Satan! Not yet.

I can still SEEEEEEE FACEBOOK!!

Rinse.

Lather.

Repeat a couple times a month?

...
....
...

Yeah...me neither.

XOXO!

One of many reasons why I left the Republican party #JimmyKimmel #JoeWalsh

2017-05-03T19:09:00.001-07:00

This.

This is one of many reasons why I left the Republican party. I am all for conservative spending and cutting out vanity protects and the fat, but this? This is so unkind. So greedy. So callous. So despicable to respond to Jimmy's emotional plea about his newborn son and feeling worry for those who have gravely ill babies they cannot afford to treat.

And this? This is the response?

Fuck You, Joe Walsh.

I hope karma catches up with you one day. We are talking about babies here!!

And especially since this heartless tool is a former congressman who YES, indeed, we did pay for his healthcare. Doesn't hurt he is over 100k beehind in child support payments.

What a dirtbag hypocrite!!!

Somewhere in Texas #JusticeforJordan

2017-05-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Texas there is a mom, with her family, living her worst nightmare. Robbed of the joy of her son. Stolen from her. Murdered.

Here I sit as a mom, waiting to pick up at school my son I love dearly who could be hers--both athletic, 15 year old honors freshman--except for a few differences:

I worry about my son perpetually forgetting his lunchbox or hoodie, but have never had to worry my son is in danger daily because of the color of his skin.

My son is white.

My son is alive.

Her baby was shot in the head with a rifle for leaving a party. Video is out the police officer LIED. The kids were departing.

This. MUST. Stop.

Do not get hardened to these sad tales. Remember every one of them. Remember their names. Remember Jordan. Remember Trayvon. Tamir. Cameron.

"Black boys as young as 10 may not be viewed in the same light of childhood innocence as their white peers, but are instead more likely to be mistaken as older, be perceived as guilty and face police violence if accused of a crime, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association."

To black mothers and grandmothers and father and aunts and uncles everywhere robbed of their murdered family members? I am so fucking sorry.

To white women and mothers and fathers and every one of you? Stand up! We need to work harder. Don't make excuses for this. Yes, there are good cops, but we must put a spotlight on those that are bad apples--those that hide their criminality behind a badge-- and MAKE NO EXCUSES FOR THEM. It is not okay to dehumanize black children and study after study shows that is exactly what is happening in law enforcement.

A child was murdered for leaving a party. Shot in the head through the passenger window.

Simply put, Jordan Edwards was executed and his brothers watched him die.

Put yourself as a mother in that situation.

Imagine that horror.

Then please don't look away. Use your white privilege to make justice be heard. We are all complicit if we don't speak up.

#BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForJordan

TMI Alert: I Don't Shut the Bathroom Door After Three Kids

2017-03-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

So I happened upon this adorable video today and it brought back so many fond memories...

It was also the beginning of losing all sense of privacy and decorum. Honestly after 3 kids, I gave up closing the door. Ha!! Heck they are teens now and still come in so most of the time, I don't even bother closing the door.

Funny enough though with my now teens, it's NOT reciprocal. They feel to walk in on me, but freak out when their mom (me!) walks in on them. Hmmmph!

I will also say for the record, it's not just them. They were the gateway to my toileting needs becoming grand central station for pups--once had five follow me in to the bathroom at once--as well as my husband and the cat.

My only hard and fast rule? No one watches mama wipe. Toilet paper in use, get out! Yep that is my bottom line. Get it? Heheh!

So what are the toileting rules in your abode when you are on the commode?

Winter Dryness Ahead: MY Fave Lotion AmLactin® Giveaway #Sponsored

2016-11-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

This is a sponsored post brought to you by AmLactin®.

Hi! My name is Heather Murphy-Raines and I have plucked chicken skin. Yeah I said it!!

As an influencer, I get approached by a lot of brands, you guys. A lot!! However, I am picky. Incredibly picky. I only promote products I use, would use and love! So imagine how excited I was when I was approached to share my favorite lotion AmLactin® Moisturizing Body Lotion with y'all. No brainer!!

People, I have used this lotion on the DAILY for almost five years.

I buy vats of it at Costco...and then my teen daughter steals it and it's back online to get some more! Seriously it's that good. I visited my sister a few years back, misplaced my bottle of it, tore her house apart looking for it, left as a sad panda, and when she finally found it, she offered to mail it to me...that good!! No joke!!

Here's the deal. I get those little bumps all over my upper arms that look chicken skin. Yeah those.

Hello Keratosis Pilaris (ker-uh-TOE-sis pih-LAIR-is). KP for short.

"Keratosis Pilaris creates havoc with the skin's surface as a raised, rough, bumpy texture and uneven nutmeg-grater appearance forms. It is often quite noticeable. Inflammation within each hair follicle can cause embarrassing pinpoint red or brown polka dots to form beneath each miniature mound of keratin. Seasonal fluctuations can be seen with improvement more likely during the summer." Dr. Oz.

Hello people. Winter is COMING!!! And after that, SPRING which means we won't be able to hide behind scarves, chunky knits, mittens, and tights.

Funny enough, I actually didn't know that KP even had a name -- other than annoying dry bumps-- until a friend mentioned she noticed mine because she had it. Yeah I immediately covered my arms, but hey good friends tell it how it is. To think, I just thought my skin was bumpy.

Always bumpy.

Since I was a teen, I would try to squeeze those bumps like pimples. I would use tools meant for thick calluses on my feet to try to exfoliate my skin... until it bled. Yeah I know so wrong, but gahhh bumps go away!!! So finding AmLactin® Moisturizing Body Lotion was what made a huge, healthier difference in improving my plucked chicken arm symptoms and it just so happens to be the #1 moisturizer brand recommended by dermatologists for rough, dry skin.

Will it cure KP?

Uh nope. Sorry Charlie. There is no cure for KP, but it makes an incredible difference! It actually acts as an exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy therapy. Know all those super scented, expensive lotions you use? Throw them out. This is it!! It's fragrance free with 12% lactic acid which is pH-balanced and encourages natural skin cell renewal through exfoliation combined with deep moisturization. Bonus: It's non-greasy so you don't feel like you need another shower or feel like you are leaving oily, dirt attracting footprints all over your carpets. It also absorbs super fast. Most important though is the result: Smooth, silky, and less inflamed bumpy skin so no more covering your arms and more short sleeves.

Since then, I am such a fan, I've also added AmLactin® Ultra Hydrating Body Cream next to my kitchen sink because hello dry winter, chapped hands and dish pans hands and AmLactin® Foot Cream -- which so happens to be the #1 moisturizer brand recommended by podiatrists -- for my cracked heels. Yes, this swim mom has a flip flop habit even in the dead of winter and my cracked, dry heels scream at me for it!

My goodness, y'all are going to think I am a desert...and you would be right.

So anyone out there with KP or just rough, dry skin?? I would not lead you astray. Take steps to get skin that looks and feels softer, silkier, and healthier. AmLactin® moisturizers can transform dry, rough skin into soft, supple, healthy-looking skin. They contain alpha-hydroxy therapy, which gently exfoliates dry, dead skin cells and intensely hydrates. Their creamy emollients help skin retain moisture, and their rich humectants draw water to the skin so it looks and feels soft and smooth.

With daily use of AmLactin®, you’ll be ready to come out of hibernation and welcome spring fashions with smoother open arms.

AmLactin® Moisturizing Body Lotion Go beyond everyday lotions with our powerful alpha-hydroxy therapy. Clinically proven 12% lactic acid, pH-balanced for the skin, boosts the skin’s natural renewal process through gentle exfoliation and deeply moisturizes. Reveals softer, smoother skin. Find it at Amazon.

AmLactin® Ultra Hydrating Body Cream Say goodbye to those dry, pesky areas! Our patented ULTRAPLEX® formula gently exfoliates and is clinically proven to deeply hydrate. Helps smooth rough, dry, bumpy skin—including dry skin associated with Keratosis Pilaris (“KP”). Find it at Amazon. Find it at Amazon.

AmLactin® Cerapeutic® Restoring Body Lotion Instantly transform your skin with this unique moisturizer. It’s the only formula to combine clinically proven, patented ULTRAPLEX® and three essential ceramides to relieve extreme dryness for 24 hours. Uncover visibly soft, silky, youthful-looking skin. Find it at Amazon.

AmLactin® Foot Cream Kick dry skin for good with daily use of healing foot therapy. Our patented ULTRAPLEX® formula gently exfoliates and is clinically proven to intensely hydrate. Helps prevent splits and cracks while smoothing calluses. Experience touchable, soft feet from heel to toe. Find it at Amazon.

Caution: For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with the eyes. Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunburn. Be sun smart: use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward. AmLactin® moisturizers may cause stinging if used after shaving and if applied to cuts. Stinging should go away, but discontinue use if it does not. AmLactin® Skin Care is not intended for the face. AmLactin® Skin Care is not intended for young children. Please consult your child’s pediatrician before using.

$100 AmLactin® Product GIVEWAY

Would you like to try AmLactin® Skin Care for FREE? Follow these steps to enter my Soft Skin Giveaway:

Visit AmLactin®’s website and look at each product.

In the comments section below, tell me about your winter skin care secrets AND provide a link to the product you’d most like to try by December 15th, 2016 to enter.

On 12/16/17, I will randomly pick 1 commenter to receive $100 worth of AmLactin® products

Giveaway is open to United States residents only. Product and shipping provided by AmLactin® Skin Care.

Uncover smooth, radiant skin with AmLactin® Alpha-Hydroxy Skin Care. Its unique exfoliating and hydrating alpha-hydroxy therapy gently removes dead skin cells to reveal soft, hydrated skin. It’s the difference between skin care and skin therapy. AmLactin® moisturizers are available on Amazon.com and at your local Target, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, Walmart and Rite Aid

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AmLactin®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tech & Gamer Family Alert: Linksys Wireless AC Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router @BestBuy @linksys #ad

2016-10-22T21:23:00.001-07:00

Woot!! Look what the mailman brought us to test drive thank to Best Buy!!

Awww it's a bouncing baby Linksys Wireless AC Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router sent for me to review from Best Buy.

Of course, I put our rather enthusiastic resident computer geek to work installing...and then PB and I were off to take senior pics in the front yard.

Sneak Preview Alert

Less than an hour later, we came back to seamless new Internet connection.

From my guy’s notes, there were many high notes to this new router.

First up were major bonus point for super fast and east installation. CG was impressed also with the easy customization, parental controls and guest WiFi. My daughter will appreciate the no less than FOUR antennas that are tilt-able considering her room usually ends up in a wifi dead zone. No bueno when it comes to data overages on her phone. The range on this baby will definitely help that.

My hands-down personal favorite though is that is has a super fast eSATA port to plug in one of my external storage hard drives plus a USB. Hello backing up as we sleep! No more tragic lost data stories for me!! The only improvement we could see was that it tested a razor thin 4% slower wired than our current router, but honestly that could have been a fluke. Close enough! Where is shines is it's blazing fast wireless and ability to handle all the devices our family throws at it.

So now we are off check out the map of our network! It's already working, to our late on a school night gamers' chagrin? Hahah parental blocks when we need them. Luckily, he'll forgive us with the crazy fast gaming on the week-end!!

In the meantime, here's some techy stuff for you techy people. Check it out: The WRT3200ACM MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router is powered by Tri-Stream 160 technology, which doubles the bandwidth on all spatial streams for the fastest dual-band router on the market. It is a great fit for PC Gamers and those who need speed and performance in a router.

Get ready for the one and only WRT.

The WRT3200ACM MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router is powered by Tri-Stream 160 technology, which doubles the bandwidth on all spatial streams for the fastest dual-band router on the market. Gain access to restricted DFS channels at full bandwidth for the clearest Wi-Fi not available to most other routers. The WRT3200ACM also boasts:

1.8 GHz CPU for high-powered performance

MU-MIMO technology for high-speed Wi-Fi to multiple devices at the same time, same speed. MU-MIMO gives every compatible device its own dedicated full-speed Wi-Fi connection, so that multiple devices can connect at the same time without slowing down the network.
Open-source ready with OpenWrt and DD-WRT® for complete flexibility and customization of functions
Upgraded Smart Wi-Fi app to manage and monitor your home Wi-Fi from a mobile device, anytime, anywhere
256MB Flash plus 512MB of RAM Memory promotes optimal performance.
4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports offers a high-speed wired network connection.

Compatible with 802.11ac

Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n networks, so you can easily upgrade.

1 USB 2.0 / eSATA and 1 USB 3.0 ports

Allow you to connect a printer and enjoy 3G and 4G file sharing

Built-in media server

Allows you to play music and video and view photos.

Complies with a variety of standards

Including ICES-003, RSS-210, FCC and LVD.

Auto detecting and auto sensing

To simplify device connectivity.

LED indicators

Make it easy to monitor the status of your network.

Encryption

Includes AES and WPA2 to keep your network secure.

Plug-and-play operation
Makes setup simple.

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

For The Phone Challenged: Check out AT&T's Store of the Future & the new Samsung Galaxy S7 Active smartphone

2016-07-07T13:08:00.001-07:00

Ya'll know I am phone challenged right? In fact, most of our family is. I cannot tell you how many cracked screens, bricked and lost phones we have dealt with...that mostly have not been backed up.

Ooops!

So I was excited to be invited with CG to AT&T unveiling event for the new Samsung Galaxy S7 Active smartphone at its store of the future at Lincoln Square Mall in Bellevue on June 6th. I received hands-on demonstrations with the AT&T exclusive ruggedized, water- and shatter-resistant device before it became available to the public on June 10th and was given my very own S7 Active so I could check it out and tell y'all about it.

First let's talk about this store of the future!!

My friends, I am always default to buying the same ol' newest iteration of the phone I had before and so never really branched out.

This store gives you just that opportunity to check out ALL the latest phones, touch them, play with them...and already I was seeing my loyalty to a certain brand may have been misplaced.

Heheh! Creature of habit I am!

I obviously needed to branch out!

This store of the future was pretty cool!! My friends, I am the classic default, buy the same ol' newest iteration of the phone I had before and so never really branched out. This store gives you just that opportunity to check out the phones, touch them, play with them...and already I was seeing my loyalty to a certain brand may have been misplaced. Heheh!

Creature of habit I was no more!

Sooooo AT&T’s retail store at Lincoln Square Mall in Bellevue was a great location for the event. The wireless carrier’s retail store offered an immersive product experience and engaging merchandising displays that feature everything a customer needs to support their mobile lifestyle.

The design has an open, lofty and high tech atmosphere, yet feels personal and intimate with three distinct, but interconnected zones - The Connected Experience Zone, The Community Zone, and The Explore Zone. Flexible design and open layout gave us room to explore and discover.

The "Connected Experience Zone" uses "Experience Pavilions," to create immersive experiences showcasing AT&T's connected products and services.

At the heart of the store is the Community Zone. It includes two large "Community Tables" that encourage customers to shop, interact and play in an open, active atmosphere. They create a place for customers and reps to gather, learn and share.

The "Explore Walls" of the Explore Zone features the entire device line up, enhanced with visual accessory presentations. This area connects customers to brands and inspires interaction through integrated digital monitors.

Best of all?

Customers will no longer see the traditional retail “cash-register” counters. Instead, they’ll find round café-style “learning tables” that allow for personal interactions with the AT&T retail consultant to ask questions or learn about a product or service.

Basically the exact opposite of the impersonal Big Box experience.

Now that said, what I was really there for was the phone, riiight??

It is a beauty.

Stay tuned for my detailed review, but for now, here are the important parts to know:

AT&T is bringing customers the toughest Galaxy S device for the fourth summer in a row. The water- and shatter-resistant Samsung Galaxy S7 active is available exclusively at AT&T.

Beginning on Friday, June 10, you can purchase the Galaxy S7 active at www.att.com/galaxys7active or at AT&T stores in Sandy Gold, Titanium Gray, and Camo Green.

So go check it out at the store of the future!!

Disclosure: I was invited to the AT&T unveiling and was provided a Samsung S7 . As always, all opinion are my own and I only tell you guys about stuff I LOVE!!

On Time Flying at Lightening Speed: PB takes her SAT today

2016-05-07T07:04:00.001-07:00

This little girl I took to pre-school I swear just yesterday??

She is taking the SAT today.

Good luck, PB!!

You got this!

Captain America Civil War: What Team Are You On?

2016-05-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

“If we can’t accept limitations, we’re no better than the bad guys.”—Tony Stark

“That’s not the way I see it.”—Steve Rogers

Hey guys!! Remember me? It's been a while, I know. Heh. Honestly, it takes something BIG to lure me from the comfort of Instagram back to my old blogging stomping grounds....

...and Iron Man and Captain America are BIG!

It was with great pleasure when I was invited by Disney to preview their latest blockbuster that I was able to take my Eldest -- now a college SOPHOMORE -- with me. I earned some BIG mom cred there already. He showed up in his Iron Man socks and his Marvel T-shirt ready to take in the glory.

It's Captain America #CivilWar preview time!! I get to be a superhero to my super #marvel fan son @alecraines & get him early to root for #TeamIronMan Soooo what team are you?? #TeamCap or #teamIronMan ?!?

A photo posted by Heather Murphy-Raines/Scout 💋 (@unitedstatesofmotherhood) on May 2, 2016 at 7:03pm PDT

And glory it was. We were able to watch it at Seattle's Pacific Science Center in it's huge IMAX 3D glory. Yes, I was ducking and dodging through the whole movie. 3D is a MUST for this one and the technology must have improved because this was the most realistic 3D that I have ever experienced!

I won't spill the beans since I am a no spoiler girl, but I will just say I started #TeamIronMan and was shocked to find myself #TEAMCAPTAINAMERICA by the end.

Team Cap? Me?? Yeah, this is what civil wars do to you.

So, my friends, go. Go. Go.

Look deeply into those playboy Downey Jr. eyes and then betray him by wanting to hold goody-two-shoes Cap's hand.

You'll be confused I guarantee it. Honestly though, you can't go wrong with either team.

So go! It opens today, May 6th so what are you waiting for???

PS And don't you dare leave until the END of credits. Yes, the very end or you'll miss TWO fun extra scenes!!

Heath eXpress & The GREAT Pinkeye Epidemic of '04 #ad #HealtheXpress

2015-10-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

Gather round, my friends. Let me tell you a story. Yes, a story about the RAINES GREAT PINKEYE EPIDEMIC of '04!

Yeah, I said it.

Pink Eye!

I watched a friend's kids that summer and they brought the dreaded creepy crawlies... and oh my lawd, it never left. It bounced from my three kids to her two kids and back to my three kids ALL Summer long.

SIX weeks of non-stop PINKEYE!!

Pink!! Oh wait, I meant PINK EYE!

Know what's not fun to do with five kids??

Going the doctor's office. Yep, I dreaded it.

Adding insult to injury, you know what the prognosis is, but you still needed to take each of them in to get the prescription...and oh yeah they need to touchy-touchy touch their wittle hands to EVERY germy toy in the doctor's office so we can pick up another freaking kid'demic of diarrhea or head lice and then touch you. Then back to the doctor's office. Sicko Round Robin!!!

Ha!! Fun times, my friends. Fun times!!

Cute Little Vectors, Weren't They?

They got used to me saying at the pediatrician, "Touch Nothing!!"

And we won't even whisper about the times when you could not get an appointment or the office was closed. Arrrrrrgh!!!

So those glory days of walking up hill, both ways to get pink eye drops are over mostly over for this mom ...knock on FREAKING WOOD!! But we still get the swimmer's ear, the eczema, and the rest. It never ends.

However, lucky for us and you, I have recently come upon a crazy cool solution for those going through lice explosions, RASH-tastrophes, as well as your every day coughs, colds, and flus from our vermin...ahem I mean kiddos.

You get pink eye! And you! And you! (cue Oprah) EVERYBODY gets to go home with PINK EYE!

If you live in Oregon or Washington, YOU can have a face-to-face conversation with a health care provider without ever leaving the house! Holy crap!! Eureka!!

Health eXpress is a LIVE, on-demand virtual health care visit using secure video and audio for children (and us adults) powered by Swedish and Providence. Before you say it, NOOOO you do not even have to be a patient of Swedish or Providence to use it and your visit can easily be shared with your primary care provider.

Bonus: If you're current patient of either network, the Health eXpress provider will be able to access your past patient information.

So why should you check Health eXpress out?

Convenience

No appointment needed! With a wait time often around 5 minutes, it's perfect for those too busy to take time off of work or have screaming kids and fires to put out...or both if you were a work from home mom like me!

With hours Monday through Friday 8 AM to 8 PM and Sat AND Sun 9am to 5pm PST?? Ummm hello! Dreamy! Doctor's appointment on Sunday that does not include an urgent care co-pay?? I'm in!!

Health eXpress has both nurse practitioners and doctors to serve you during your virtual appointment. Diagnosis, treatment recommendation and even a prescription if needed? BAM! Done! All from the comfort of your couch or the playroom as toys get aimed at your head.

Yes, even when you are hiding out in the bathrooms from the creatures claiming mommy needs alone time. I said, "Mommy NEEDS alone time." Mommy wants to potty in PEACE...and talk to a provider about an dang UTI!

Yes, my friends, NOOOOO MORE leaving the house with a sick child or a sick mom and five kids in the rain! Sit on your dang couch in front of the fire with a glass of wine and chat with a provider after you put the kids to bed? Double woot!

Easy

Health eXpress is super accessible on most devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops using HIPAA-compliant technology! You can even get a text message on your phone when the provider is ready to start their visit!

Download the Health eXpress app via iTunes or Google Play or you just visit www.healthexpress.com directly.

Create your FREE account.

Wait as little as five minutes. FIVE?! Yeah when was the last time you waited less than 15 minutes in a doctor's office? Nope. Me neither! I do remember 45-60+ minute waits though..

Cost

Ready for this? Health eXpress is affordable. A visit is only $39 and can be billed to your insurance. No more $75 urgent care for rashes on the week-end.Currently Providence Health Plan and Premera are accepted and can be billed directly at the time of visit, but the list of insurance providers is growing.

More importantly? If Health eXpress can’t treat your condition, you aren’t charged.

Another savings? You can even use Health eXpress if you’re traveling for business or on vacation! No need to use an out of network provider.

And for the record, this works out fabulous for those times you feel too sick, too contagious to leave the house. Think cold, cough, flu, allergies,sinus infections,rashes, skin issues, joint pain, urinary tract infections... you know ALL the FUN stuff!! Heh!

So what are you waiting for?? Go check out www.HealtheXpress.com BEFORE the next dreaded PINKEYE or UTI outbreak to learn more and create your account! Be ready when sick happens!

Disclosure:

This is a sponsored post, but you know me. I don't do anything I don't believe in. Imma stubborn, NOT SO BASIC mom like that. Everything I write is 100 FREAKING percent my opinion. Got it? Heh. Good!

And hey, you're welcome!

Holiday Gift Ideas & #Giveaway Minecraft Story Mode #VideoGames

2015-10-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Well look what the FedEx fairy just sent this Minecraft junkie family?!? Just released Minecraft Story Mode by Telltale games!! BUT? They sent it in four platforms and I only have an Xbox 360 so think think think...

Who would like the PS3 , PS4 and XBOXONE versions?!?

I figure why not spread the fun, so some of you all have a $30 retail gift already under the tree for that special gamer in your life, eh?

Game includes episode 1 which estimated to play 2 hours. Episodes 2-5 will download automatically as they become available. It's rated E10+ and has an all-star cast. You drive the story through decisions you make.

Sounds fun, huh? :)

"In Minecraft: Story Mode, playing as either a male or female hero named 'Jesse,' you’ll embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End, and beyond. You and your friends revere the legendary Order of the Stone: Warrior, Redstone Engineer, Griefer, and Architect; slayers of the Ender Dragon. While at EnderCon in hopes of meeting Gabriel the Warrior, Jesse’s friends discover that something is wrong… something dreadful. Terror is unleashed, and you must set out on a quest to find The Order of the Stone if you are to save your world from oblivion."

Separate Giveaway for each game below. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent product to review, but I was under no obligation to do so. All opinions are 100% my own.

Death by Teenager: Driver's Ed and Clenched Hands

2015-07-31T15:35:00.001-07:00

Ummmm my hands have been aching lately. So painful that I've been worried I was getting inflamed again from all my paleo cheats or arthritis or wrist cancer. I was about to diagnose with Dr Google when it hit me.

I have a child learning to drive.

Parallel parking where she came a scream-from-me-close-to-ramming-a-Mercedes yesterday made me realize my hands were clenched for the entire hour!

Ding Ding Ding!!Killing me slowly, you are PB!

XOXOX,

Mommy

DIY Teen Girl Cycle Survival Kit: Studying & Swimming with Periods #CycleSurvival #ad #CollectiveBias

2015-07-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

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

One for school and one for swim practice

When it comes to that time of the month, preparing my daughter is one way to make it less stressful, especially when headed back to school.

Awww isn't she cute?

So cute I created a PMS Cycle Survival Kit for my baby girl. You heard me! An Aunt Flo SURVIVAL KIT!

I am super proud of her for her full load of honors and IB courses this coming fall. She also swims both high school and club practice back-to-back after school, so having a discrete survival kit is perfect! She is hitting the books and the pool--she doesn't need her period to slow her down from her dreams.

I am sure you have a busy girl in your life too!

Having a period goes with the territory and she inherited a monthly doozy from me. I've got to make sure she's covered when she goes back to school and back to high school swim practice. Heck, while I am at it, I made sure her lips and legs were covered too!

So I'll be surprising her with two kits! One for her swim bag and one for her school bag!

DIY Cycle Kit to Surprise Your Daughter, Niece, or Granddaughter For Confidence

First up, stroll on down to your neighborhood Walgreens. I was able to scoop up everything I needed there. Bonus: If you buy $15 of participating U by Kotex, EOS , and BIC products, you get 3,000 Balance Reward Points!! I found some adorable bags and I started shopping to fill them up!

U by Kotex CleanWear® by U Pads. Yep, these Maxi pads are the foundation of your kit especially with heavy flows.With the new technology applied in Kotex's new pad, girls can now be more confident in wearing whatever they want whether it's all day at school or hours in the library studying for finals. With their young, fresh, modern covers, they aren't as obvious either!
Tissues. Yep because a disappointing quiz back when your on your period?? Yeah, keep those tissues handy.

EOS. When you are PMS-ing...is there anything worse than chapped lips and rough legs? Heh! Yes, on your period everything seems a little more nails on chalkboard so having a quick fix prevents mini-rants, right? Eos Lip balm and shaving cream to the rescue!

Bic Shaving Products. Yep, you get to school in that cute new skirt only to find you missed an entire strip of hair. Yes, you have a shin mohawk. A discreet razor? Done.

Hairbands & Hair Conditioner Spray. BECAUSE is there anything worse that hair in your face when you are taking a test and those few frizzy whisps tickle your nose? Or doing dry land at swim practice with a mess of hair in your face?? Hello!!

For her swim bag

Breath Fixers. Gum, mints, and mouth strips, oh my! Just for those times when you are feeling cranky pants and suddenly that hot, but guy with the sparkly eyes finally get up the nerve to talk to you the day you slept in with cramps. At least your breath will be fresh right?

Chocolate and Motrin. You knew there would be chocolate right? Add a Motrin chaser and cramps? What cramps?

Jam packed with maxi pads, tissues, chocolates, and lip balm for school

Sooooo...do you think she will like it? Gotta admit it's been hard keeping my boys away from some of these survival items, but nooope boys! This is girls only this time! HA!

Want more Cycle Survival ideas? Find more Cycle Survival inspiration here.

Sooooo...how do you survive your period? I'd love to hear what you'd put in your survival kit!

On Parental Learning Curves: Fruit Tray on Fleek

2015-06-12T18:34:00.001-07:00

Fruit tray on fleek, my friends!!

#parentinglearningcurvesarereal

Yeah I went simple for end of year picnic for kid #3.

Kid #1? I would meticulously carved watermelon baskets and have a
dozen exotic fruits like star fruit that kids wouldn't even eat.
Arranged to spell out kids' names. Hours and hours... desperate
housewife style.

Kid #2? A little simpler. Maybe rainbow fruit kabobs arranged on fancy
party platters.

What I have learned? Kids don't even notice -- only parents are
impressed. And by kid #3? I could not care less if I impressed any
parents. It's not a competition.

So kid #3 gets simple fruit on dollar store trays with ice underneath
to keep them chilled--prepared five minutes before we leave... Done!

Can't say my competitive housewife won't return someday but for now?
She's dead, Jim. She's dead.

Add a Little Sparkle to Your IPhone 6 with Rebecca Minkoff and AT&T #ATTSeattle

2015-06-08T11:14:00.001-07:00

Taken with my iPhone 6 of course

Hello there gorgeous! Gotta love AT&T for delivering this Rebecca Minkoff beauty today for my iPhone6.

So much sparkle!!

I'm a casual girl during the day, but love I can dress up my phone for evening events!

With both silver AND gold sparkles, love my new Casemate Rebecca Minkoff Crystal Statement Case!! It'll match silver AND gold phones AND the silver or gold accessories you wear!

Perfection since clashing metallic accessories drive me nutso. Fits my phone perfectly too.

Bonus? $20 off retail price and free shipping at AT&T right now!

From AT&T:

A premium leather accent, gold buttons, and a gold metal badge complete the look, offering an unexpected balance between elegance and edge:

Genuine crystal accented with premium leather
Ultra-slim silhouette
Refined dual-layer protection
Gold metallic button accents

Check it out!

Disclosure: I receive product and/or compensation all the time for my blog. I pick and chose only products and brands I love to share with you and turn down the rest. Rest assured this is 100% honestly what I love. Life is too short for anything less!

Not Paleo: How Not to Make a Fool of Yourself & Hijack #Paleo #CavemanDiet #PaleoDiet #EatClean

2015-06-03T15:07:00.001-07:00

I am no paleo expert and I am no paleo nazi. However, I do know some things:

You cannot have greek yogurt and granola and call it paleo.

You cannot have corn on your salad and call it paleo.

You cannot have rice with your steak and call it paleo.

You cannot have baked goods and cakes made with white sugar and flours made from any grains.

And??? And??? You cannot have store bought flour tortillas, pre-shredded cheese and canned enchilada sauce--even if you added extra chicken for protein--and call it paleo.

I have also seen people label their food simultaneously vegan and paleo. Those generally don't work together and usually the picture is either one or the other...or neither!

People I can't make this stuff up! Bwahaha! All of these dishes I have personally seen on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest over and over!!.

Psssst!! Paleo doesn't mean more meat or more protein.

Paleo for the record:

No sugar
No processed foods
No grains of any kind
No dairy
No soy
No alcohol (although wine and tequila seem to be a graay area)
No nightshades (although this is a gray area with pepper and potatoes)
No legumes (gray area with green beans and peas)

Do I eat like this all the time? Nope. I believe in moderation. Yes, you can tweak it to how it works best for you. I certainly do. I eat nightshades after having eliminated them from my diet and then re-introducing them without any side effects. And? I do cheat. I will indulge occasionally.

However when I do? I don't take pictures of my cheats and hastag them paleo.

But best ever today? I saw a purse on IG labeled paleo. Pretty sure I don't eat paleo purses...

Samsung's Showcase French Door Refrigerator: Better Family Living @BestBuy @Samsungtweets #masteryourhome #ad

2015-05-30T23:00:00.001-07:00

Isn't she a beauty?

My friends? Let's be cool and talk reefers. Yep, the pretty awesome kind. The kind that foodies like me drool over. Yes, the fancy ones like this gorgeous Samsung Showcase French Door Refrigerator we droool over at Best Buy.

I literally spit out my coffee when I saw the email that Best Buy has chosen me to review their fridge. Seriously me? You picked me! Then it came. So purty on the outside, but a little different than I was used to on the inside.

For the record? I love my job!

Hmmm...

I won't lie as shiny and perfect on the outside was, the adjustment took a little longer on the inside. I was used to a side-by-side which compartmentalized EVERYTHING whereas this fridge had vast swaths of space.

Soooo much space...

This OCD girl -- with a fridge routine and everything with a designated place-- had to really rethink everything. So much space.

What my veggies don't go in the bottom of the fridge?

Beverages go inside the door and not on the top shelf?

It took some getting used to, but when I got it right? OH my!

My friends, everything healthy is front and center.

Massive amounts of fruit, veggies and meats? Here we come!

The exterior showcase stored our beverages, milk for the kids, butter, open pet foods, and even snacks while the inner case took the bulk of my meals building blocks.

And I am not joking about bulk. We are a family of three teens and competitive swimmers!

Veggies, fruits, and proteins right there at eye level with any bottles and processed stuff pushed off to doors and sides.

French Door Filled With Beverages & More

And there were less compartmentalized spaces for bottles, but guess what that meant to me?

A clear directive for my family to live and eat even cleaner.

Need a sauce? How easy is it to make it yourself rather than have a Costco quart of it? Better yet, toss it with fresh lemon or avocado oil with a sprinkle of sea salt. Really taste your ingredient!

Each day?

I fell more and more in love. It puts fresh up front!

The lighting? Oh that lighting!! It made green veggies, purple grapes, bright carrot, and red peppers gleam like jewels. The large bottom shelf could fit three watermelons or two turkeys if I wanted.

No more cramming and hoping the door would close.

Some of the features I love

Come to Mama!

Dual Door Refrigerator: An innovative two-door design gives my family easy access to on-the-go-items with a metal cooling-stainless steel paneling. The paneling helps maintain consistent temperatures so you know your milk and easily spoiled items are safe! Even cooler? The show case door with door-in-door storage displays and allows easy reach to regularly used items.
Door Alarm: Alerts you when the refrigerator door is accidentally left open to save energy. Yes every mom needs one of these!! Especially for kids that just stand there and stare....and stare...and stare! Arrgh! Teens, this alarm will finally catch you!!
Thru-the door ice and water dispenser: It offers super filtered water and clear, crisp ice with a child lock that helps prevent unsupervised use.
Digital Controls: Love these!! Gorgeous touch-screen controls! Behind that purty control panel is a twin cooling system which allows simple temperature management. Power freeze and power cool options are especially cool after spending some time loading the fridge after a big grocery trip. Blast those veggies and frozen fruit for smoothies!
High-efficiency LED lighting: This!! I cannot tell what a big difference this makes. No more yellow, duly light corners of the fridge where celery goes to die. Nope! Bright, modern glow everywhere. So much easier to locate food items.

Things I would improve

Keeping it real, there are a couple minor things I would improve for future models. My kids were used to water and ice come the same hole in the fridge. This dispernser has water angled to hit back of the glass and ice to drop a couple inches back. End result? Quite a few spills with a smaller than before drip tray which means this mama has had to wipe up drips while she waits for those teens to figure out the new system. Still? The filter water is waaaay better than our old fridge and we love our ice. We just need to train the kids to take their time.

Also some of the shelves on the left door and in the freezer are pretty narrow and oddly angled compared to traditional square shelf, so finding items that fit will be a challenge. We have put a couple smaller bottles of salad dressing there. Others with larger bottles might find that space wasted.

Guess what that means to me? Less processed! Ha! Still these are minor futzes that would make a great fridge even better!

Did I forget the freezer? Silly me! With a top drawer that slides, it's perfect for bags of frozen fruits for smoothie and veggies. Below is plenty of room to put anything from a1/4 of a cow to pizza boxes. Ha! Ours was filled with proteins, our chilling ice cream machine bowl, and so much more.

As for that less processed trend? These meals below are just from the last two weeks! Notice something?

The fresh produce and protein are the stars!

My grazing plate one day: Breakfast, Lunch & Snack All in One

Cider and Carrots? The perfect snack!

A little avocado with my sausage?

My hubs marinated asparagus? All mine!

Salad days are over? I hope not!

So much fuel for Bento boxes!!

Pepper, and onions, and eggs oh my!

Eat your greens!

Bacon, with greens wilted in bacon drippings on a bed of mashed cauliflower "potatoes?" Yes, please!

Can you ever go wrong with brightly colored fruits and veggies in kids' lunches?

Icy Watermelon

Overall? Three weeks later? We are still loving our fridge. I've found we truly are eating healthier and I've started to lose weight again. Woot!! More importantly, I feel better as a mom getting back to clean eating with my family with the Samsung French Door Showcase Refrigerator as a fantastic help!

Definitely better living with Best Buy With Cleaner Eating with Samsung!

Yes, even the dogs I watch are eating better!

So what do you look for in a new refrigerator?

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. As always, all opinions are what I honestly feel and 100% my own.

Macy's American Icons: Support Veterans & Party On #Seattle #Portland #SanFrancisco #AmericanSelfie #supportourveterans

2015-05-14T22:08:00.001-07:00

“I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“

Woot. I'm super excited to be covering the Macy's American Icons this week-end in Seattle at Alderwood Mall at 2pm..

What's that? You haven't heard of these events. Well hello! You are invited to join them for all the in-store excitement! As part of their salute to all the things that make us proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, Macy's is hosting multiple American Icons parties across America!

Did you know that Macy’s partners with veterans who served with GotYour 6? You know me. Proud veteran and married to a veteran. Daughter, niece, and sister-in-law of a veteran and aunt of a nephew actively serving. Serving runs deep in our family. So for me, this is a no brainer! Macy’s is proud to partner with those who have served our country alongside Got Your 6 and so am I.

Supporting veterans with family fun here we come!

Even better? On Saturday during the party? Give $3 to support American veterans with Got Your Six and Macy's will thank you with 25% off all day. 100% of your donation will go to Got Your Six.

Each year, approximately 250,000 brave men and women return from service. Got Your 6 works to make sure they have the support and tools they need to become leaders at home in their communities.

And right down my and my teens' alley? The party will include fun patriotic photo opportunities for us to take an #AmericanSelfie to also support our veterans.

Make sure to take an #AmericanSelfie in one of Macy’s patriotic photo opps in store!

Show Macy's your #AmericanSelfie and they'll give $1 for each one, up to $250K, to support America's veterans with Got Your 6. Plus, you could be a part of a spectacular moment in Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show on NBC! Click for details...

As for the party? Read the deets below:

SEATTLE
At Macy's Alderwood here in Seattle, Macy's American Icon Event will be based on discovering everything you need to put together a timeless, All-American ensemble at our fashion party hosted by style blogger Courtney Kerr. We get to join Courtney as she presents her fashion picks for Spring inspired by all things Americana!Afterwards, shop your favorites while jamming to Macy's live DJ,snack on yummy sips and sweets, and enjoy much morethroughout the store. Plus, you'll get to meet Courtney and have your photo taken with her! Before you go? Be sure to add a personal touch to any of your purchases at the DIY station.

PORTLAND
For those in Portlandia, you've got your own awesome event. Head on down to Washington Square on Saturday at 2 PM to also discover everything you need to put together a timeless all-American ensemble at Macy's fashion party hosted by Grasie Mercedes of StyleMeGrasie. Join Grasie for a special fashion show celebrating iconic style from some of our favorite American designers. Afterwards, meet Grasie, shop the latest collections for spring, jam to our live DJ, and enjoy complimentary sips and sweets. Space is limited, reserve your spot today at AmericanIconsWashingtonSquare.eventbrite.com.

SAN FRANCISCO
And for my hometown? Yeah I am talking to you San Francisco! All you Bay Area patriots get a double feature at Union Square at 2PM this Saturday! First Discover everything you need to put together a timeless all-American ensemble at our fashion party hosted by Pitch Perfect 2 costume designer Salvador Perez. Join Salvador for a fabulous fashion show celebrating iconic style from some of our favorite American designers. Afterwards, shop the latest collections for Spring while grooving to our live DJ. Enjoy complimentary sips and sweets, and before you go, be sure to pop into our patriotic photo booth to take your #AmericanSelfie!

Also at 2PM at Union Square? Lucky you!! Celebrate the diverse cuisine that helps make this country
great when Chef Azalina Eusope, the owner of Azalina's makes one of her Malaysian dishes in honor of American icons. Sample the tasty results for yourself and take the recipe home to make for family and friends! Chef Azalina Eusope is a 5th generation street food vendor whose culinary career was born from a hobby entertaining family and friends. Her talent became known through word-of-
mouth, which led to her own business in 2010. She was named one of Bon Apetit magazine's "10 Top Upcoming Chefs" for 2010, as well as a Women's Initiative for Self Improvements "Enterprising Woman on the Rise" in 2012. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, serving up good health! For more information living a healthy lifestyle, visit kp.org.

Not in Seattle. Portland or San Francisco?

No worries! There is plenty of patriotism to go around this week-end. Check out all Macy's American Icon Parties in a ton of U.S. cities this week-end and don't forget to take an #AmericanSelfie in one of Macy’s patriotic photo opps in store!

Remember every event is different! Check out macys.com/americanicons for more details.

5/15   Miami, FL (Aventura Mall)
5/16   San Francisco (Union Square)
5/16   Seattle, WA (Alderwood)
5/16   Costa Mesa, CA (South Coast Plaza)
5/16   Pittsburgh, PA (South Hills Village)
5/16   Tampa, FL (Westshore Plaza)
5/16   Miami, FL (Dadeland)
5/16   Miami, FL (Aventura Mall)
5/16   Burlington, MA (South Shore Plaza)
5/16   Bay Shore, LI (South Shore Mall)
5/16   Albany, NY (Cross Gates)
5/16   Whitehall, PA (Lehigh Valley)
5/16   Minneapolis, MN (Ridgedale)
5/16   Indianapolis, IN (Castleton Square)
5/16   Columbus, OH (Easton Town Center)
5/16   Dallas, TX (North Park)
5/16   Littleton, CO (Park Meadows)
5/16   Memphis, TN (Wolfchase Galleria)
5/16   Fayetteville, NC (Cross Creek)
5/16   Atlanta, GA (Peachtree Mall)

Want to post your #AmericanSelfie on twitter, instagram and facebook? Feel free to tag Macy's at @Macys ! Share your patriotism with the world and support veterans!

Find more information at http://macys.com/iconevents

So support American veterans, show the world your #AmericanSelfie, and join the fun! So who is coming?

I'll be there! Will you?

Furry Family Members Deserve the Best: Nudges® Grillers&Sizzlers #NudgeThemBack #ad

2015-05-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

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

If you've been reading along over the years, you know one thing that I am passionate about is pups. Our pups Seb and Grendel were family.

Family.

Nothing less than family.

They were my furry children before I had children.

Although we were luckier than most that they lasted 16-17 years, I was still heartbroken and am still mourning them to this day.

We all are...

After they passed, our hearts were not ready for another pup--and my husband was not ready especially--after years battling cancers and dealing with vet bills.

So instead I set up a pet sitting side business to borrow puppies from others because my heart was not complete without having a furry head on my lap or curled around my ankle.

Watching pups means I get attached. Really attached. I hear pups I watch feel the same and are often sad for a few days. However they also get sooooo excited--and so do I--when they come back!

I would do it for free, but don't tell my clients that. Shhhh!!

Obviously, if you have seen my instagram page, you'll know I REALLY get attached.

I sobbed when I heard a regular pup client had passed on.

I worry for my elderly pups I watch and always wonder when I give them a kiss on their head before they go home, if it will be my last.

I know you all think I am crazy letting back pups that break toilets.

For opening my white carpeted home to sometimes eight pups.

...and then dealing with constant baths to protect those white carpets when pups love to roll in the mud up here in my swampy Northwest backyard.

Mud? What mud? That was a spa treatment under the trampoline right?

For sharing our holidays, birthdays, and summers with pups, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Christmas 2016

Walking in the 'hood!

So, to combat that worry, I spoil them with treats and love! Quality treats!

One of the dietary changes that I think helped my 90 lb pup last to the ripe old age of 17 years old was that I changed his diet. No more wheat, soy, corn, or preservatives! As natural as possible.

So I was excited to stroll through my local Walmart the other day to pick up some yummy treats for them that I could feel good about and they would like from Nudgesdogtreats.com.

Super excited that I found Nudges® had two new products and different flavors: Grillers and Sizzlers. We loaded up. They also have new Jerky Cuts value size (36oz) at Walmart.

I love that the Nudges® brand is about rewarding the unconditional love your dog gives you with treats you can trust.

It's about celebrating the love you share, love that deserves to be rewarded.

And almost more importantly, while we watch the quality of our food, we should also watch our pups foods too.

We are what we eat…dogs too!

I love that Nudges® treats are:

Made in the USA with only USA-sourced protein
Have Real Meat as #1 ingredient
"Real food-inspired"
No artificial flavors or fillers (natural ingredients)
Real meaty texture, appearance & smell
High-quality treats

Besides they are really helpful for catching shots likes these below! Heh!

Want to know more? Check out Nudgethemback.com and nd let me know which one you think your dog would love the most! You can also find Nudges® on Facebook!

Now go have some fun with your pup! I like doing a little creative styling with shedding pups!

What do you think?

On Weight Loss: The Grazing Plate & Other Weight Loss Tips #Paleo #EatCLean #JERF

2015-05-04T10:48:00.002-07:00

I made myself what I call a real food, paleo grazing plate today. What's a grazing plate you ask?

It's breakfast, lunch and snacks for the day--all on 1 plate!

I eat when I am hungry. I stop and throw it in fridge when full.

It's FULL of organic greens underneath drizzled with avocado oil and freshly squeezed lemon, sliced brightly colored peppers, crunchy grapes, and spicy sausage.

Nibble, nibble. Crunch.

It avoids the clean plate mentality since the plan is to only to eat when hungry every couple of hours and tuck it away in fridge when not!

No waste. No guilt. Conveniently ready so no temptation to grab less healthy, spur of the moment junk when a craving hits.

Instead I have a delicious, colorful, pretty plate with veggies, fruits and protein and big flavors at the ready.

Spicy. Sweet. Savory. Citrus. Salty. Crunchy.

I've found it prevents my tendency to eat EVERYTHING in front of me since the portion is so large and impossible to eat in one sitting. Thus I nibble instead and actually listen to my body--rather than the portion served--with overeating unlikely!

Another tip? I eat it with my fingers. Bites by hand tend to be smaller than a fork and I feel I am more conscious of what I am putting in my mouth.

I am pairing all of this with PLENTY of water and okay, okay copious black coffee with my favorite Stevia in the Raw products I just got my Mom 2.0 summit. Woot!

Try it and let me know how it goes?

On Fitness: Getting Back on Track with a Great Mother's Day Gift for the Fitness Enthusiast @BestBuy #Modal #fitness

2015-05-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

Remember when I used to post constantly about working out...and checked in daily on instagram?

My friends? To be brutally honest, I fell off the fitness wagon in the last year.

Was this only last year?

So far off that track that I gained thirty pounds back. Most of what I took off in the last two years through hard work and sweat piled right back on as I missed work out after work out and ate one cheat after another in a fit of depression and laziness.

I allowed stress, work, and personal issues to throw me off my fitness track.

Can't remember the last time I went to crossfit

Let me take that back. Those were excuses. I allowed myself to fall off -track. I need to own that. No matter my husband's cajoling, my trainer's gentle check ins, and my crossfit buddies asking when I would be back?

It was up to me...and I ignored them.

It really showed when I needed to attend my latest blogging conference and had nothing that would fit. NOTHING. I sucked it up, purchased some new clothes in a size I hope to be never again at a deeply discounted store and carried on.

I could have left it at there, but I didn't. Mom 2.0 Summit was in Scottsdale. Soaring into triple digits while I was there HOT Scottsdale! My inner-Northwest girl went eek, but I made promises to myself to work out at every fitness event offered!

I kept that promise.

Yoga time and my socks almost match!

I woke my butt up early, ignored the so-called dry heat, and made the commitment to change right then and there.

I did yoga for the first time in TWENTY years on the lawn of a fancy resort and refused to compare myself to the svelte bodies that surrounded me.

The next day? I ran in that heat up hills, in the desert landscape, through a few gasps I thought would be my last and persevered.

The last time I ran? Exactly eleven month ago for the Rock N Roll Marathon Half Marathon.

Mom 2.0 5k with the awesome Sugar Jones

I refused to quit.

Heck I even squeezed myself into a dress and danced at the Iris Award. I refused to let a few pounds--or 80 really--hold me back.

Hitting the red carpet with the ever awesome Merlot Mommy

It didn't hurt that I had some pretty awesome roomies to keep me moving and burning even mohhhhhr calories!!

Dancing the Night Away at Mom 2.0 Summit Iris Awards

I returned Saturday and today was timing at my daughter's swim event--and inspired to see young athletes push themselves beyond their limits.Tomorrow? I will be back at crossfit for the first time in what seems like forever trying to push my own limits. Guess what?

It's easy to fall off that horse, but it just takes linking a mere two days in a row to start making a habit for the better.

So one thing I noticed that helped me feel good about myself at the fitness portions of the conference was having some new exercise stuff to feel good about myself even when I wasn't exactly feeling good about my body's health. New yoga capris that wouldn't squeeze or roll my bellah. Loose tanks that let me move. The thought of squeezing into my old crossfit clothes made me procrastinate day after day. I knew they wouldn't fit and viewed workout with dread.

Yet? There is something about having fun, colorful new workout clothes that fit that makes even the scariest looming workout something to look forward to, right?

So tomorrow? I am super excited to be taking something else new with me. Best Buy sent me this gorgeous cross-functional Modal Concept Tote Bag:

Isn't she pretty??

Modal focuses on helping make life easier through cleverly designed products that feature crazy awesome functionality. It's designed to carry all my essentials in style with room to store my wallet and other valuables in discreet, water-resistant pockets.

There’s even space to store warm hairstyling tools. Hello curling iron!! You are coming with me!

It’s all together in a convenient, portable tote bag that can go from the gym to the office:

Laptop Storage

Dedicated, secure &padded sleeves for both laptop AND tablet storage with quilted soft-touch lining

Fitness Gear

Heavy duty, moisture-resistant fitness pocket has plenty of room for your workout clothes, including shoes, and is vented to promote air circulation along with straps for a towel or yoga mat.

Thermo Pocket

Yep no more blaming work right? Toss my laptop in the top, water bottle, yoga mat, and running shoes in that baby? Mobile, no excuses blogger on the right path. I can go straight from a work out to working my latest social event or hitting up Starbuck's wifi for a post deadline...all in one bag.

So you guys with wives, partner, girlfriends, sisters, or daughters that need a good idea for a truly thoughtful gift for Mother's day for the fitness enthusiast...or wanna be enthusiast again like me?

You are welcome!!With functionality unlike any other, this bag would make a perfect Mother’s Day gift for any busy mom that hits the gym before or after work. Many thanks to Best Buy to giving more inspiration to hit my fitness goals so I can be the fit, confident role model for my kiddos!

Happy Mother's Day, my friends!

Modal Concept Tote Bag. $ 59.99
Free Shipping
on orders $35 and up.
Free Store Pickup
Pick up your order in as little as 45 minutes.

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. As always, I only provide honest reviews about products I love.