#SocialBlackout will you do it? #Sponsored

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for MetLife. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Sunday is Mother’s Day!  Do you have any Mother’s Day traditions?  In the past we used to visit a zoo each Mother’s Day weekend.  I really loved it and we created some lovely memories.  Now we have four children and going to the zoo is a bit expensive.  Now we tend to celebrate here at home.  My typical Mother’s Day request is to not have to cook and to spend the entire day as a family.  Sometimes we have a picnic, sometimes we visit a park, sometimes we do yard work and sometimes we hang out indoors and watch a movie and order pizza.  Truly the activity does not matter to me….as long as we are all together, relaxed and connected.  Notice, there is no mention of cell phones, iPads or checking of emails.  I love to unplug from technology from time to time.  This year MetLife has had the same idea and they created the #SocialBlackout movement.

Basically, all this means is that you turn off the phones, the iPods, the iPads, the MP3 players and put away your Kindle.  Hang out with your mom.  Give her your undivided attention.  Has she been begging you to clean out your closet?  Put away your electronics and go ahead and do it!  Does she love being outdoors?  Offer to come see her latest garden creation or take her on a walk.  Pack a picnic and whisk her away to her favorite park.  Visit a local nature trail and go birdwatching.  There are so many options!

Can you do it?  There are so many options and they mean so much more when you are unplugged.  Will you join MetLife and participate in the #SocialBlackout movement this Sunday?

#SocialBlackout

I know I deserve it and so do my kids.  This Mother’s Day give your mom the gift of your undivided attention.

 

 

Save your applesauce! #Momtips

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My husband and I try to be pretty frugal/green.  We have rain barrels, compost, use cloth diapers on the boys and generally look for ways to save money and resources.  Which is why when our peanut butter is empty, we take a spatula and scrape the inside to make sure we got it all.  Then it either goes into recycling or we wash it and my husband uses it to store nails or screws.  We like to save whenever we can.  After multiple messes trying to salvage the last of our applesauce I came up with a foolproof way of getting it all out (without any mess).

Mom Tips

You can tell there is a serving of applesauce lingering but when you attempt to pour it, it just sticks to the sides of the jar.  Scraping it out with a spatula is messy.

Mom Tips

Just turn it upside down into a bowl.  No effort required, just let gravity do its work.

Mom Tips

After about 5-10 minutes go check on it and it should be done.  See how clean and empty the jar is?  No more applesauce in the bottom or stuck to the sides.

Mom Tips

Now, either serve it, or put a lid on and save it for later.  Simple. Easy.  Save you some money too.  Love it!

What simple mom tips do you have?

Feeling fabulous with my new 2 Red Hens bag! #sponsored

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Thank you to the PR agency for providing me with these products to review.  We love them!

When our daughters were younger, diaper bags were just….bags.  I remember the choices being black, pink, blue, green or they were covered in Pooh Bears.  Thankfully times have changed and you no longer have to deny your inner fashionista when carrying around a diaper bag.  In fact, with a bag from 2 Red Hens, it is likely no one will even know it is a diaper bag.  2 Red Hens was founded by Lori Holliday.

2 Red Hens

Even though our baby is a boy, I do not feel like I need a blue bag.  I want a bag that is fun!  I chose the Pink Lemonade Coop Carry-All Diaper Bag.

2 Red Hens

I simply adore this bag! It is fun, stylish, functional and perfect for our day-to-day diaper bag needs.  Lori really adds nice touches to her bags.  I loved the fabric selections.  She adds nice pops of color as well.  The fold out mat for diaper changes is a bold red and white polka dot theme that coordinates well with the bag.  The red buttons for closure are great too.

2 Red Hens

Bigelow Tea is sending me to Charleston this month and I actually plan to carry this…for myself!  Whether using it as purse or as a diaper bag it suits my needs perfectly and is easily cleaned with a wet rag.

2 Red Hens also sent me some of their snack bags.

2 Red Hens

I try to stay away from plastic bags.  However, oftentimes the reusable snack bags just cannot hold a full size sandwich.  My husband walks about 12 miles a day as a Postal Carrier.  Sending him a skinny little sandwich just does not cut it.  He likes a big lunch.

2 Red Hens

This was a big crossaint with freshly sliced tomatoes and homemade Tuna Salad.  Normally I have to pack Tuna Salad in a small container and then in a bag either send the bread or crackers.  With the 2 Red Hens snack bags, I easily fit the entire sandwich in.

2 Red Hens

While my husband does not have the same love for the fabric as I do (LOL!), he said he will gladly carry these every day.  He was thrilled to find this sandwich in his lunch bag.  He said the sandwich was still perfect looking.  It had not slid around at all.  Even on the snack bags, Lori adds great touches like cute buttons and 3 sided zipper.  The 3 sided zipper allows it to fully open.  This made it a cinch to place the sandwich in the bag and allows it to easily be wiped clean.

2 Red Hens is offering one reader a chance to win the Rooster Diaper Bag!

 

 

 

 

 

Create a Custom Locket with Origami Owl! *US Giveaway* 5/20 #sponsored

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Thank you to  Denise and Origami Owl for my locket!

 

I love jewelry with meaning.  Origami Owl lets you create custom living lockets that reflect what’s important to you.  Origami Owl’s mission is to be a force for good; to love, inspire and motivate women of all ages to reach their dreams and empower them to make a difference in the lives of others.  These unique lockets are sold through in home jewelry parties called Jewelry Bars.  The party hostess receives some great incentives including hoot loot, half price items and hostess exclusives.

I was so excited to work with Independent Designer, Denise Curran #15568 and experience this unique line of lockets for myself.   I received a large locket with the “blessed” plate and four charms.

PicMonkey CollageOO

 

 

I love that you can create any look you’d like!  There are so many charms to choose from and they have just added over 100 new ones! These lockets would make great gifts.  Check out Denise’s website to see all the possibilities and connect with her on Facebook to get some design ideas.   Denise can also help you if you’d like to host a party or join the Origami Owl team and become an Independent Designer by entering her mentor ID #15568 and contacting her with a followup email to imacharmer@optonline.net.  Origami Owl is the fastest growing Direct Sales company this year.  Denise can help guide you and tell you more about this rewarding and fun opportunity!

Denise has generously offered a medium silver locket with or without crystals, a ball station silver chain and a choice of 4 charms to one lucky reader.  This is a $48-$52 value depending on locket choice!

 

disclosure for review