Always love visiting the folks @BetterCT and we gathered some really interesting gift ideas for mom, dad and the kids!
Jewelry is always a nice gift for mom, but why not make it a one of a kind design. From Carved Creations their doodle pendant is one that mom will cherish. At $189 you can customize your design – submit a drawing (hint, hint… dad have your kids do this for mom) and Carved Creations will transform it into a necklace. Check out their Facebook page as people are submitting designs for likes!  I love the material as it is heavy: It is made from PurLuxium which is Carved Creations fine jewelers grade stainless steel. You can also choose the shape you want from a square, triangle or rectangle and choose the color of the leather cord. They also have other great gift ideas – rings, bracelets and other necklaces. Check out their site as they have the boldest designs and most contemporary looks in the personalized jewelry industry.
If you are heading out for date night for Valentine’s Day try a fun pink lipstick to brighten up! We love the Hourglass line at sephora or online. Hourglass Opaque Rouge liquid lipstick comes in several bright pink and red shades, perfect for Valentine’s Day. Opaque Rouge is renowned for being long-lasting—even The Wall Street Journal identified it as one of the best long-wear lipsticks! We are always on the lookout for more natural make-up and this line is great. It’s free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates and lanolin. Starting at $28.00.
Chocolate is a great idea for a gift and who can resist those truffles from Lindt! The The LINDOR Truffles Mini Gift Heart is the perfect gift to share– at an affordable price. The Mini Gift Heart is available in new, limited edition milk chocolate shell with a white chocolate center or milk chocolate LINDOR truffles at $4.99. The LINDOR Gift Heart is so cute and every box is filled with smooth melting LINDOR Truffles. The LINDOR Gift Heart is available in a 5.5 oz heart with milk or assorted truffles and in an 8.5 oz heart filled with milk chocolate truffles. Price ranges from $7.99 – $9.99. Their NEW! Gourmet Truffles Heart comes in a romantic heart-shaped box filled with double-dipped gourmet truffles in six luxurious flavors ̶ milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla and dark orange. At $9.99 it is affordable.
For the kids I love to bake with them or at least try a new recipe. From the makers of Glee Gum the Make Your Own Chocolate Kit is $13.95.  Anytime you involve the kids with treat making it’s so much fun! The Make Your Own Chocolate Kit offers a unique, affordable way to make delicious, dark chocolate from scratch, right at home.
A red outfit with matching headbands is a must for the younger kids. We love the adorable headbands and clips for Valentine’s day from Lizzie, Izzie and James   Felt and yarn never looked so cute.
I like to put together a box or bag of goodies with treats, stickers, crafts, and my kids will love it. Shop iparty as they have the best selection of goodies. I put together the treat box, the baking box and the craft box!
Enjoy your Valentine’s day!
Disclosure: The companies sent me the products mentioned above to review. All opinions are my own.
Always love visiting the folks @BetterCT and we gathered some really interesting gift ideas for mom, dad and the kids!
Jewelry is always a nice gift for mom, but why not make it a one of a kind design. From Carved Creations their doodle pendant is one that mom will cherish. At $189 you can customize your design – submit a drawing (hint, hint… dad have your kids do this for mom) and Carved Creations will transform it into a necklace. Check out their Facebook page as people are submitting designs for likes!  I love the material as it is heavy: It is made from PurLuxium which is Carved Creations fine jewelers grade stainless steel. You can also choose the shape you want from a square, triangle or rectangle and choose the color of the leather cord. They also have other great gift ideas – rings, bracelets and other necklaces. Check out their site as they have the boldest designs and most contemporary looks in the personalized jewelry industry.
If you are heading out for date night for Valentine’s Day try a fun pink lipstick to brighten up! We love the Hourglass line at sephora or online. Hourglass Opaque Rouge liquid lipstick comes in several bright pink and red shades, perfect for Valentine’s Day. Opaque Rouge is renowned for being long-lasting—even The Wall Street Journal identified it as one of the best long-wear lipsticks! We are always on the lookout for more natural make-up and this line is great. It’s free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates and lanolin. Starting at $28.00.
Chocolate is a great idea for a gift and who can resist those truffles from Lindt! The The LINDOR Truffles Mini Gift Heart is the perfect gift to share– at an affordable price. The Mini Gift Heart is available in new, limited edition milk chocolate shell with a white chocolate center or milk chocolate LINDOR truffles at $4.99. The LINDOR Gift Heart is so cute and every box is filled with smooth melting LINDOR Truffles. The LINDOR Gift Heart is available in a 5.5 oz heart with milk or assorted truffles and in an 8.5 oz heart filled with milk chocolate truffles. Price ranges from $7.99 – $9.99. Their NEW! Gourmet Truffles Heart comes in a romantic heart-shaped box filled with double-dipped gourmet truffles in six luxurious flavors ̶ milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla and dark orange. At $9.99 it is affordable.
For the kids I love to bake with them or at least try a new recipe. From the makers of Glee Gum the Make Your Own Chocolate Kit is $13.95.  Anytime you involve the kids with treat making it’s so much fun! The Make Your Own Chocolate Kit offers a unique, affordable way to make delicious, dark chocolate from scratch, right at home.
A red outfit with matching headbands is a must for the younger kids. We love the adorable headbands and clips for Valentine’s day from Lizzie, Izzie and James   Felt and yarn never looked so cute.
I like to put together a box or bag of goodies with treats, stickers, crafts, and my kids will love it. Shop iparty as they have the best selection of goodies. I put together the treat box, the baking box and the craft box!
Enjoy your Valentine’s day!
Disclosure: The companies sent me the products mentioned above to review. All opinions are my own.
I love to use body wash and moisturizer in the same brand and have tried just about a gazillion body wash products out there. I was also looking for a more natural perfume (that actually smells good) and I found my scent in Pacifica’s Island Vanilla. I LOVE everything about this line (and no….no one is paying me to say that! lol!) I was so upset when @Sephora stopped carrying the line so I went directly to their web site and they offer free shipping on U.S. orders over $50 and you get to choose a few samples with your order and that is how I discovered the solid perfume which is perfect for travel.
You can read about this line here
Pacifica skin care is made without Animal testing, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, benzene, GMOs, mineral oil, peanut oil, and triclosan (and other ingredients you do not want!)
I feel comfortable sharing with my tween girls and I hope they make a shampoo and conditioner soon! Here are the products I purchased for myself as a belated Christmas gift.
This past Friday was our first time skiing this year! The kids had a day off and we went early in the morning and there were no lines! It was very cold but they did not seem to notice and we were able to go up and down the hill tons! If you are local check out Ski Bradford
If you have a day off I recommend going for the half-day pass from 8:30-1:00 on the weekdays as it is not too crowed then.
On my list of winter activities is snow tubing and would like to try out Amesbury Sports Park.
I have always wanted to try a dog sled ride! Check out Dog Sledding Adventure at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire @OmniHotels
We talked about this and more on today’s trendymommies.com radio segment on 980 WCAP-AM.
It is the New Year and we all want to get organized…quickly…neatly…and….inexpensively!
So whether you have a home office, a space dedicated to working or a small nook, here are the top 5 ways to get organized quickly and on a budget.
1. Hello bins! Storage bins can be your friend. They do not have to cost a lot and you can visit the dollar store to find ones that suite your style. Try to keep them in all the same color family so it looks organized!
2. If you have multiple kids you will have multiple paperwork and I have two suggestions to keep up to date and organized on keeping track of what is due when. (this is also great for bills) A magazine holder for each child works well and stores all the paper work (don’t pay full price for the magazine holder – look for clearance ones) My other suggestion is to have multiple clip boards for each child and hang in a central location (and low enough so the kids can reach it and keep track)
3. These cute little tins are ones I picked up for a dollar - A DOLLAR @target! They can hold paperclips, pens – the small stuff you need for your office but never have handy or like I did – store some nice pretty flowers to brighten up your office space.
4. I love these photo boxes! I put office items in them that I do not use regularly. If you are really organized you can add a label to the front so you know exactly what is in them.
5. Finally, speaking of labels, if you can, invest in a label maker. It is so much fun to use and once you start you will begin to label everything and you may never have to ask again, where is that pen, business card or photo that I saved?? I love the one from “Simply Stylish” Home & Office Labeler and The “Simply Stylish” Home & Family Labeler is a great one too!
- Colorful photo boxes
my @target bins
Categories
Giving up our dog…
So I can finally write and talk about having to find a more appropriate home for my dog.
Last year we finally decided to get a puppy. Neither my husband nor I ever had a dog growing up so it was quite the learning experience and a lifestyle change (not to mention stressful and an emotional roller coaster!) People tried to warn me about the experience- much the way that women warn you about giving birth – they tell you some of the stuff but not all! Â Since I have allergies we decided on a hyper allergenic one. When I first started researching I could not believe the cost of some of these types of dogs? Really? 2k? Ugh, so I kept researching and found a breeder in a nearby state. I do not think she was a true breeder but just someone who liked dogs and decided to breed a few litters (that should have been a signal) Plus, it is really hard to walk away from a litter of cute puppies!
It all started out well enough until our puppy started showing signs of aggression – food, toys, people – we had several trainers come in to try to help us and it did not seem to work. When he was older he was fine out and about at the park, at soccer games and great with dogs and with kids in an outside environment and seemed to get over the food aggression but when anyone came to the door or was in our house he liked to attack when they first came through the door….and bite…a lot…while in our home and we just never knew what could lead up to a nip or bite. So we stuck it out and thought he would get over his issues but after biting several people we know we had to find a more appropriate home (and one without kids).
Luckily we met a wonderful woman who rescues cockapoos and evaluates them and places them with people who are experienced with dogs and can handle some of the challenges. After evaluating our soon to be one year old dog, she concluded he was quite intelligent, got away with a lot, needed to be in an adult home without any kids and in a home that had lots of experience with dogs. She is also a breeder of cockapoos and after seeing all her dogs I would recommend if you are in the market for a puppy to choose one from her. None of her dogs are aggressive in any way. She knows what she is doing, knows her dogs and will know right away if a puppy will fit into your home and lifestyle. Having a puppy can be difficult and challenging and she recommended that we not get another puppy but consider an older dog. Older dogs can be great for families – they are trained, both socially and potty trained, don’t chew things or people! and you will know their personality.  If you are in the Massachusetts area contact Shady Lane Kennel. The web site has a ton of information. Having been through the experience of buying a puppy and trying to train him, I would recommend the following tips:
1. If you are a first time dog owner do NOT get a puppy – they are far too much work, require a lot of care and training and it can be stressful! I would recommend an older dog that has a track record of good behavior and is trained!
2. Research, research, research -Our friends have a boxer and while we loved him they require lots of activity and can be great with kids in their own family but can be territorial. Know your breeds, research and ask the breeder questions.
3. Do not buy a dog for your kids – At first your kids will be very excited and will walk the dog and take him out to the bathroom – for the first week! I have always wanted a dog and knew that since I work from home the responsibility would be mine during the day at least!
4. If you want to involve your kids and give them some responsibility spell it out and write it out BEFORE the dog comes to your home – that way everyone knows what their role is.
5. Have systems in place before your dog arrives – know where you want to put his crate, food, water, etc. and if you will let him up on the sofa and bed because once you start letting your dog sleep with you there is no going back!
Categories
Giving up our dog…
So I can finally write and talk about having to find a more appropriate home for my dog.
Last year we finally decided to get a puppy. Neither my husband nor I ever had a dog growing up so it was quite the learning experience and a lifestyle change (not to mention stressful and an emotional roller coaster!) People tried to warn me about the experience- much the way that women warn you about giving birth – they tell you some of the stuff but not all! Â Since I have allergies we decided on a hyper allergenic one. When I first started researching I could not believe the cost of some of these types of dogs? Really? 2k? Ugh, so I kept researching and found a breeder in a nearby state. I do not think she was a true breeder but just someone who liked dogs and decided to breed a few litters (that should have been a signal) Plus, it is really hard to walk away from a litter of cute puppies!
It all started out well enough until our puppy started showing signs of aggression – food, toys, people – we had several trainers come in to try to help us and it did not seem to work. When he was older he was fine out and about at the park, at soccer games and great with dogs and with kids in an outside environment and seemed to get over the food aggression but when anyone came to the door or was in our house he liked to attack when they first came through the door….and bite…a lot…while in our home and we just never knew what could lead up to a nip or bite. So we stuck it out and thought he would get over his issues but after biting several people we know we had to find a more appropriate home (and one without kids).
Luckily we met a wonderful woman who rescues cockapoos and evaluates them and places them with people who are experienced with dogs and can handle some of the challenges. After evaluating our soon to be one year old dog, she concluded he was quite intelligent, got away with a lot, needed to be in an adult home without any kids and in a home that had lots of experience with dogs. She is also a breeder of cockapoos and after seeing all her dogs I would recommend if you are in the market for a puppy to choose one from her. None of her dogs are aggressive in any way. She knows what she is doing, knows her dogs and will know right away if a puppy will fit into your home and lifestyle. Having a puppy can be difficult and challenging and she recommended that we not get another puppy but consider an older dog. Older dogs can be great for families – they are trained, both socially and potty trained, don’t chew things or people! and you will know their personality.  If you are in the Massachusetts area contact Shady Lane Kennel. The web site has a ton of information. Having been through the experience of buying a puppy and trying to train him, I would recommend the following tips:
1. If you are a first time dog owner do NOT get a puppy – they are far too much work, require a lot of care and training and it can be stressful! I would recommend an older dog that has a track record of good behavior and is trained!
2. Research, research, research -Our friends have a boxer and while we loved him they require lots of activity and can be great with kids in their own family but can be territorial. Know your breeds, research and ask the breeder questions.
3. Do not buy a dog for your kids – At first your kids will be very excited and will walk the dog and take him out to the bathroom – for the first week! I have always wanted a dog and knew that since I work from home the responsibility would be mine during the day at least!
4. If you want to involve your kids and give them some responsibility spell it out and write it out BEFORE the dog comes to your home – that way everyone knows what their role is.
5. Have systems in place before your dog arrives – know where you want to put his crate, food, water, etc. and if you will let him up on the sofa and bed because once you start letting your dog sleep with you there is no going back!
When did you put away the Christmas decorations? What is on your New Year’s resolutions list? We talked about these topics and more on today’s trendymommies report on @980wcap!
When did you put away the Christmas decorations? What is on your New Year’s resolutions list? We talked about these topics and more on today’s trendymommies report on @980wcap!