Get Fall Rolling: Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls Party

It's my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing, pumpkin spice is abundant, and sweaters and leggings come out of the closet. It also means holidays, and even better, holiday parties! I love decorating the house for Fall and Halloween! I love hosting scary movie nights with my friends.  This year, I get the opportunity to host a party from Tryazon featuring Rhodes Microwaveable Cinnamon Rolls.  Yum! Who doesn't love Cinnamon Rolls!

Rhodes specializes in frozen baked goods like dinner rolls, loaf bread, and cinnamon rolls.  You can purchase Rhodes' delicious products at your local grocery store.  I found mine at Ingles and Walmart.

 

I got the opportunity to try out Rhodes new Microwaveable Cinnamon Rolls for free just for having some friends over to share with!  I chose to have a Halloween movie night with my girls.  This gave me an excuse to get my Halloween decorations up and to clean up the house!  My daughter and I had fun decorating with faux spider webs, bats, owls, and other spooky decor.  My daughter, Aria, is two years old and loves everything creepy!  She even wants to be a scary spider for Halloween!  I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.

We visited a local church pumpkin patch to pick up some pumpkins for carving and painting.  I let Aria paint her pumpkin, for obvious safety reasons, and she absolutely loved it!   She named her pumpkin Jack, and has been carrying him around since we got him. 

I pulled out several spooky themed movies from my collection, keeping them kid-friendly.  I chose some classics like Hocus Pocus, BeetleJuice, and Casper.  I even let Aria pick one out, she chose The Nightmare Before Christmas.  She makes me so proud :)

I made pumpkin spice cookies and had apple cider and Pumpkin Ale for those old enough.  My party guests brought a giant plate of wings, so there was plenty of finger food to enjoy while watching our movies.  We stopped after the first movie to make our cinnamon rolls.  These were a new experience for both me and all of my guests.  It was amazing how fast they cook, done in 60 seconds! Not only were they easy and fast to make, there were just as delicious as a homemade batch of cinnamon rolls!  I love that you can cook them one at a time, no need to cook up a whole batch for one person to enjoy.  There are individual icing packets too, so everything is fresh and ready when you are. I would not recommend cooking more than one at a time, because the timing is a little weird and they don't cook quite right.  They cook so quickly, though, it's easy to cook them each separately and still takes less time than it would to even pre-heat the oven.

My guests were very impressed with my Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls and were eager to pick up the extra coupons I had received. The party was a success!  We have all been converted to Rhodes brand Microwaveable Cinnamon Rolls! The movies were great, the food was a hit, and the friendship was amazing!  I can't wait until our next movie night!

To learn more about Rhodes and their delightful products --- Rhodes
To apply for your own Tryazon Party (just make sure I'm on the guest list 😉) --- Tryazon

New review Site: Reviewsio

Love trying new products for discounts, then, check out this new site!

 Reviewsio

I love getting to try new products for deep discounts or even better, for free!  I do this several ways but mostly by using review sites. Through these websites I get a discount code, I go to Amazon.com to purchase a product,  try the product, and then leave an honest review. This allows new or small companies to get their products out to the public by boosting their reviews.  I always check out product reviews before a I make a purchase and I love leaving a good review for a great product.   Reviews can be very helpful when they are honest.

I recently came across a new review site that will be starting up the 1st of October. Reviewsio will be another site like I talked about above.  You'll get a product code for, I believe, a totally free product (if you have Amazon Prime). Then you are expected to try the product and leave an honest well-thought review in Amazon.  Then you link your review back to Reviewsio so you can get points and more opportunities to review more products.  It looks like they will have a good variety of products to review from beef Jerky to yoga mats.  I can't wait to see what other great products we will get.

I have already signed up and will be excited to try out my first product.  I will let you know how it goes.  If you would like to go ahead and sign up too, click below!

Reviewsio.com

Keeping it Clean: Grill Brush Review

We love cooking out in the summer.  Steaks, burgers, and grilled veggies are some of our favorites. We got our gas grill as a wedding shower gift and have enjoyed using it on our deck.  My husband does most of the grilling, okay, he does all of it.  He's just so good at it!  He does the grilling which means he has to clean the grill.  I received a grill brush for free in exchange for my honest review.  I'm happy to say this is a great product.  My husband is really the one who has tested this brush.  He usually rolls his eyes at my review products, but was excited about this one.  Imagine that.

Robby really likes this brush because it is long enough to clean while the grill is still hot.  The bristles are strong and get between the grates very well.  It makes clean-up a breeze which is awesome when you are having a cook-out and are ready to eat as soon as the food is done. I like it because I don't have to remind him later to clean the grill.  It works great for both of us and keeps are grill nice.

This would make a great Father's Day gift or Christmas gift for the grillers in your life.  It comes with a storage bag and a recipe book.  It has 100% money back guarantee and a 5 year warranty! It is great for all grill types and is really easy to clean, just pop it in the dishwasher!

You can get this same BBQ grill brush from Veesap Lifestyle on Amazon

Get Infused: A Hydrating Review

We all know that it is important to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months.  This is true for everyone, not just athletes, but anyone who spends time outside in the heat.  We can become dehydrated very quickly, especially since many of us are not getting enough water to begin with.  To stay hydrated, water is the best option.  It is easy to get pulled into the marketing of sports drinks and flavored water beverages with low or no calories, but beware of sugar, sugar substitutes, and added sodium.  Juice is full of sugar as well.  The easiest, healthiest option is always water.

I know lots of people who hate drinking plain water.  They'll say, "I need something with bubbles" or "I need some flavor in my life."  I was one of those people for a long time.  I was drinking around five cans of soda a day!  I got headaches if I went too long without one.  I was addicted.  Then, one day, I found out I was pregnant.  I was ecstatic about being a mother.  I read countless articles on pregnancy and three pregnancy books. I was determined to be the best mom I could be even before the baby arrived.  That meant changing my diet completely. I was already overweight and I wanted to make sure my baby was healthy, so I stopped buying soda all together.  Water became my best friend.

I felt so much better after I quit soda.  Most of my headaches went away.  I lost weight, despite my pregnancy.  My skin looked amazing.  Giving up soda was the best decision of my life.  I do, still order a coke when eating out on occasion, but I refuse to bring it into my home.  I know that if I do, I could easily fall back into my old ways.

Now, I drink water.  Clean, clear, wonderful water.  I always take a water bottle to work, or anytime I leave the house.  I keep lemons to squeeze a little flavor in the mornings, but mostly I drink it plain. Well, I did until I got a new water bottle.  I received the InfuseFruit 25oz water bottle in exchange for an honest review of my personal experience. There are many bottles like this out on the market right now.  It is a regular bottle shape with a basket inside for fruit, herbs, or tea to flavor your water as you drink it.

I have used something like this in the past, but the quality of Infusefruit is much better.  The bottle itself is hard plastic and is very durable. If that isn't enough, it comes with a soft neoprene cover with a handle for easy handling and extra protection. The top has an extra locking feature so that it won't spill while in a bag or during transport.  The fruit basket is removable so you can take it out if you are out of fresh fruit one day.  The basket is easy to manage and the holes are the right size for letting flavor out, and keeping fruit (and those annoying seeds) inside.

The InfuseFruit bottle is a great way to start adding more water to your life.  You add your favorite fruits, herbs, or tea for a great tasting, healthier beverage. It was fun for me to experiment with flavors.  My favorite is fresh, sliced lemon with mint leaves, refreshing and hydrating.  

Try Infusefruit for yourself on Amazon

Comfort, Design, and Accuracy: A First Response Review

I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for First Response. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. 

If you have a child or have ever tried to conceive a child, than you know what it is like to have to wait for the answer to the biggest question of your life.  It is absolutely maddening, waiting for a simple little line to appear, or not.  This little line could change your entire life!

I remember the first time I went shopping for a pregnancy test.  I was very nervous and was trying to be discreet, when I found this wall of pregnancy tests. There were tests in a range from super-expensive to scarily cheap, and I had no idea which to choose. How accurate should a test be, when should you take it, how many tests do I need?  There are lots of options out there, too many options for a first time tester.  I chose one pretty much at random. The insert explained that I was to pee on the little stick for a certain amount of time, first thing in the morning because that is when your hCG levels are the highest. It was easy, I just had to wait until morning.

Wait, I had to wait! Well, I couldn't wait I was too excited.  I ended up with a negative result. I eventually got a positive when I took the test a few days later and in the morning. Needless to say I was super excited and also more scared than I have ever been in my life.  All this emotion and stress over a little stick that I peed on.  In the spring of 2013, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl!

With so many brands and options it can be difficult to know which to pick, especially if you are testing for the first time.  Luckily, there is First Response designed for accuracy and ease. In a sleek pink box, you get two ergonomically shaped tests that detect pregnancy up to six days before your missed period. Six days! That is awesome especially if you are like me the first time, and aren't sure exactly when Aunt Flo is supposed to show up. These tests have a wider tip and longer handle than any other tests I've seen making it very easy to maneuver. The results show up in about three minutes and is simple to read, one line for negative and two for pregnant. The best part, you can take it anytime during the day! First Response seems to really understand what women need in a pregnancy test! Less waiting, and very easy to use and read. Pregnancy test have evolved a lot over the years and are even more accurate than when I first took a test which was only three years ago.  First Response is a brand that is on top of the newest technology, giving their consumers the best, most accurate, FDA approved product available. 

Parenthood is an amazing journey, it is nice to know that we moms have First Response on our side.
I know exactly which test I will be reaching for when my husband and I begin trying for baby number two!

You can pick up a First Response test at any major drugstore, grocery store or mass retailer near you for $8.99 - $15.99.

For more information about this test and for some great pregnancy resources, please visit FirstResponse.com

Welcome to Oz: A Sunscreen Review

Oz Naturals is a skin care company that focuses on natural, organic, and environmentally responsible products.  They have a range of beauty products from lotions and cleansers, to sunscreen and anti-aging serums.  Their products are made in the USA and are centered on keeping your skin healthy and beautiful.

Click Here to learn more about the Oz Naturals Company.

I was given the opportunity to try a few of their products for free in exchange for my honest reviews. The first product I received was their anti-aging sunscreen.  I used this several times while on a girls trip to the coast.  The first time I used it I made the mistake of not re-applying after a few hours and I got very sun-burned.  It was not good, but totally my fault.  The label states that you should re-apply every 2 hours or after getting wet.  I apparently was having too much fun drinking fruity drinks at the beach bar to reapply.  After that experience, I have been sure to re-apply in a timely fashion and have had a lot more luck with this product.

The bottle is 4oz. and seems a little small for the price until you take into account what your really buying.  You get a socially responsible, natural product that does what it claims, all while supporting the U.S. Economy.  I'd say it is a good deal.  The lotion is smooth and rubs into the skin quickly without leaving you feeling oily. It has a very light scent which is refreshing.  It has an SPF of 30 which I usually prefer to use higher, but it worked well.  I would not hesitate to buy this product again.

After trying this product I wanted to see more of their products.  I decided to try the Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser next.  This is my new favorite skin product!  A combination of organic rose hip oil, vitamin E, and Borage oil brings new life to rough, dry, aging skin.  My skin feels absolutely amazing after using this cleanser.   My skin is so smooth and feels clean and fresh I feel like I've been to the spa.  The natural ingredients are gentle on the skin and the clear color is reassuring of the quality of ingredients used.

It is sad to say that I have just recently started taking better if my skin.  I realize I won't be young forever. My body is my responsibility and I want to keep it healthy.  Oz Naturals is helping me achieve just that.  It is a win/win.  I get beautiful, healthy skin while staying Eco-conscious for a healthy body, mind and soul.  

You can purchase your Oz Naturals on Amazon today!

Images from http://www.oznaturals.com

Good Clean Fun: A Soapy Review

We moms work so hard, 24/7, 7 days a week that we all deserve to treat ourselves with a little pampering now and again.  I love taking an hour to myself, leaving the husband in charge, while i go for a nice, hot bubble bath.  Sometimes I throw in a glass of wine, a book, or a face mask. I don't know any women who do not enjoy be pampered.  I also love using aromatherapy lotions, soaps, and bath salts to give that extra 'spa' feeling.

Last week, I got something in the mail that I can us anytime of day that makes me feel relaxed and pampered.  I got the opportunity to try a product from a homemade soap company in exchange for an honest review.  This soap is 100% Natural, is made in the USA, and smells amazing.  I got to choose which scent I wanted, so I chose Black Cherry Vanilla and it is fantastic.  The scent is clean and relaxing. I received two bars, the first I kept for myself, because every mom needs a little self-pampering, and the second bar went into a gift for a bachelorette party. This soap is a perfect gift, and you could even cut one bar up to make several small gifts.  I considered doing this for all the girls at the bachelorette party.  The 5oz bar is quite big and could easily be split into four decently sized pieces. Might be a great idea for stocking stuffers too!

This old fashioned style soap is free from harsh chemicals, contains no detergents, preservatives, or artificial colors.  This natural product is great for all skin types!  It is made with premium olive oil to prevent wrinkles and help reduce brown spots. Did I mention that is smells delicious! This Spa quality soap deserves a try! Go, get one now!

You can get yours on Amazon with this link! Soap.club

Moms Have a knack for party planning: Miss A turns two

I was super excited about my daughters first birthday. She had just learned to walk and we were still trying to get her off the bottle.  She was still my sweet baby.  Now, just twelve, quick months later, she is having another birthday.  This time she is starting to potty train, sleeping in a toddler bed, and talking like she's been doing it for years.  My sweet, tiny, baby is growing up.  I was excited for this birthday, because it meant I, her mother, got her safely through another year of life.  I was also pretty sad.  A is not a baby anymore.  I do look forward to not having to buy diapers, but I now realize just how quickly kids grow up. This is going way too fast! 

I wanted this birthday party to be just as special as my daughter is to me.  I wanted to throw a nice party, but without breaking the bank. I started planning months in advance.  A's favorite character is currently Minnie Mouse, so it was a easy choice for a party theme.  You can find Mickey And Minnie stuff everywhere! I even found a cake topper at the dollar store. I watched the clearance racks for months and stocked up on party supplies when they were cheap.  There were lots of pink items on sale after Valentine's Day!

Pinterest is my best friend when it comes to party planning.  I found great recipes, Diy party decor, and activity ideas. 

I made these table decorations from items I found at the dollar store!

I chose to save some money by making the cake and cupcakes at home, with a little help from some family members. We thought it would be fun to give A her own smash cake again this year and then do cupcakes for the guests.  I love cupcakes because there isn't any time lost on cutting a cake and it's easy to send leftovers home with your guests.  I found several ideas on Pinterest and combined them to get our finished cake display. 

The cake was a big hit at her party and it was delicious too! 

I made sugar cookie bows and Minnie Mouse shaped cutters I found cheap on Amazon

My cousin made these delicious, chocolate covered pretzels!

I found Minnie Mouse wrapping paper at the dollar store!

I made Mickey Mouse ears for all my guests to wear at the party.  I bought several sheets of black felt at Walmart for about 20 cents a piece.  I found the head bands at the dollar store in packs of five.  I used hot glue and cardboard cut from recycled boxes to put together and make the ears stand up. These were a lot of fun!

We really didn't spend a whole lot on the party, and it was a total success!  Miss A had a blast with her cousins. We did a Hot Diggity Dog station so food was cheap.  I asked a couple of the aunts to bring a side item. We used my parents pasture/campground for the event.  I made most of the decorations myself and what I bought was cheap, or on sale.  The best way to plan a party on the cheap is to start planning early so you can watch for sales!  It's important to remember not to get caught up in the details and know that spending time with family and friends is the best part of any party.  A isn't going to remember what gifts she got, how fancy the food is, or how many balloons  she had at her 2nd birthday party.  I hope she remembers that she had a great time with her family and know how loved she is. 

Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby girl!

Sleep Well My Sweet

Mommy Tools: The toddler bed

We decided to move A to a toddler bed a few months before she turned two. I got lucky and got a free bed from an old friend who didn't need it anymore.  We painted it her favorite color and got a Minnie Mouse bedding.  We tried not to change too much in her room so it would be an easy transition. The bed is in the same place as the crib and has the same stuffed animals. 

We wanted to make her new bed as inviting as possible.  We let her pick the paint color, pink of course!  We made sure to keep her favorite stuffed toys close by for comfort. We talked about how grown-up she was and how exciting it would be to move to a "big girl" bed.  A was super excited

I received a mattress pad for free in exchange for an honest product review.  This mattress pad is made from bamboo which makes it great for sensitive skin and hypo-allergenic. It was very soft and much quieter than the pad we had been using, which is great for keeping your baby or toddler asleep longer. It feels like good quality material.  It fit our crib mattress snugly and was easy to put on and get the sheet over it. It had a "new" smell when I first opened it, but came out easily in the wash. 

Find the Universal Comfy Co. crib Mattress Protector Made from Bamboo on Amazon

We have always used a waterproof mattress pad under the sheets for leaks.  The one we had in her crib is a cheap one from walmart I think. It did the job and the mattress is still in perfect shape.  It was a little loud when she moved around a lot though. The new one is softer, and quieter. 

This mattress pad has held up great so far. It's soft and adds a little extra padding to A's bed. We love how A's bedroom turned out and she loves sleeping like a 'big girl'. I love anything that helps my daughter sleep better and longer at night. She's been sleeping in her own bed for about three months now!

Some Moms Have Pure Whey Protein

Looking for a better way to get more protein in your diet?  I recently got the opportunity to try Pure Whey Protein Isolate, a dietary supplement in the form of a chocolate powdered beverage.  I received the product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.  These opinions are completely my own.

This product is Lactose Free, it is Kosher certified, and is free from GMO's.  I sampled the Dutch chocolate flavor and mixed it with Light, vanilla almond milk. It tasted and looked like chocolate milk. It was a little difficult to mix completely which made it a little lumpy, but not at all unpleasant to drink. The almond milk ups the calorie count to 170, which still isn't bad at all and gives it even more health benefits with extra calcium and vitamin D. Almond milk also makes it creamier and more like a milkshake if it  is really cold!

Pure Whey Protein Isolate has only 110 calories per serving and is easy to fit into your everyday routine as part of a meal or as a between meals snack.  It has 25g of protein per serving which is half of the recommended daily intake. It has no sugar and very low sodium, making a healthier choice among other protein drinks on the market.  It also contains an added value of 135mg of calcium which is very important for a healthy diet. 

I couldn't find very much information about the company itself, other than that is manufactured in the United States.  The company has been very reliable in correspondences and seemed very interested in hearing my opinions.  I received the product in a very timely manner and have been very pleased with everything. I would be interested in trying other products by them as well.

You can try 100% Non-Protein Spiking Pure Whey Protein Isolate on Amazon.com 

This Totally Random Review

A mustache, a dachshund,and a pineapple, these are three shapes I just pulled out of a bag of Wonka Randoms.  This is a new product from Nestle featuring delicious gummy candies in random shapes, flavors, and textures.  Check out Randoms at Wonka.com

The bag states that there are a possibility of 70 different shapes in 7 fruity flavors, and 3 textures. I've pulled out a variety already!  It's really a lot of fun to see what shapes your gonna pull next.  I took a bag to work with me today and had a great time sharing with my co-workers.  It became a game trying to see what shapes everyone got.  I think my favorite was the cherry red mustache my cousin pulled and then wore!

These not only look bright and beautiful, they taste great.  They have a nice gummy texture that is not too hard or sticky. They are easy to eat and the packaging is easy to open.  I received two bags, a smaller bag (5oz) that you rip open, and a larger (10oz) re-sealable bag.  I like the re-sealable bag because I don't want to eat them all in one sitting, it also makes it easy to travel with.

Let's talk nutrition.  Okay, this is candy so they are high in sugar with a total of 35g of carbs per serving.  A serving size is equal to about 10 pieces, which is really all you want to eat because they are very sweet. They also contain about 140 calories per serving as well, which isn't great as far a snack foods go.  These are definitely a sometimes treat and should be eaten in moderation.

Randoms are a lot of fun to eat. I think kids and adults would enjoy them.  A bag of Randoms would make a great stocking stuffer or special treat but I wouldn't eat them all the time due to the amount of sugar. Also, they are not recommended for children under the age of 4 years old due to being a choking hazard.  The Wonka brand is very reliable and known for good quality candy.  Wonka's Randoms are no exception to the rule.  I have thoroughly enjoyed sampling these gummies and would definitely buy them!  You can find them at many grocery stores, Walmart, and at online retailers like Amazon.

I received this product for free in exchange for feedback on the product from Smiley360.com.  The opinions in this review are my own personal thoughts.

Follow me on Twitter @Maddoxbel

Child's Pose: Yoga with Your Toddler

It's raining again, for the third day in a row.  My daughter, two years old next week, has more energy to burn than a windmill in Chicago.  Currently, she is running through the house with a bucket on her head and a pair of my shoes on her feet (she's always been very fashion forward :)).

One of our favorite rainy day activities is quick, toddler-centered yoga routine.  We get in our comfy clothes (if we aren't already), get out my yoga mat and a towel or blanket for Miss A. We listen to an ambient music station on Pandora Radio and go through a number of poses until we are calm and relaxed, or until A loses interest.  Here is a great resource for kid-friendly poses at Namastekid.com   Sometimes we watch a guided yoga class on YouTube. There are some great videos made for kids that only do positions for beginners and even have fun names for the positions.  Here is a link to my yoga playlist on YouTube.

Tips for including your toddler in your yoga routine are to make it fun, quick, and safe. Try not to push it on your child, sometimes I don't even ask or tell her what I'm about to do. I just get ready and begin stretching. If your toddler is anything like mine, they will want to do any and everything that mommy or daddy does. She almost always joins in and has a great time.  Also, a session shouldn't last too long.  Start small and work up to longer sessions.  It's important not to stress over correct positions, especially with younger toddlers.  The point is to get them involved and learn a thing or two in the process. Of course, as with any exercise routine it is important to be safe. Only try positions for beginners with your toddler and try to keep them from putting too much pressure on those sweet little spines!  I try to just go with the flow, sometimes we get in a great session and sometimes Miss A just wants to sit on me while I stretch.  Either way, we have a great time together!

                          

Yoga has been around for a long time, we're talking 5th century BCE!  It originated in India as a religious practice, and is one of today's most popular forms of exercise.  According to the Mayo Clinic, Yoga promotes strength, flexibility, balance, and reduces stress. It engages both the mind and the body which makes yoga a great activity for a developing toddler.

The Kitty Pose...well, maybe but not, but it's super cute!

Practicing yoga helps kids learn more about their bodies while building strength and flexibility.  Breathing techniques promote better respiration and requires focus, an important skill for all. Yoga also requires one to be still and learn to quiet the mind through meditation. Most importantly it teaches the importance of taking care of ourselves, both mind and body. Yoga is a wonderful learning tool for people of all ages. 

I recently got the opportunity to try and review a product for Youphoriayoga, a company that sells yoga accessories exclusively on Amazon.  That have some really great products including yoga mats and towels that are great quality.  I got to tryout one of their fantastic yoga towels. They are non-slip, which is great for toddler feet.  They come in a variety of colors, mine is light blue and green.

Their website states that the towels extend the life of your yoga mat and more importantly reduce the risk of bacteria. I mean, who washes their yoga mat after every use? Think about how gross they can get, yuck! The towels are easy to care for and are machine washable.  So, far I think it's a great addition to our workout gear.  The towel is very soft and feels kind of like a microfiber towel.  It really is non-slip, but also doesn't stick to your feet like a sweaty yoga mat.

Of course, you don't really need any tools or equipment to do yoga. That is one of the great things about it.  It is free and easy to learn. It's easier on the hands and feet with a mat, which you can get cheap at your nearest walmart.  The towel is a nice addition, but it isn't a necessity.  I think it would be great for those who go to public or group yoga classes, especially if using a borrowed/house-mat. 

No matter where, or with which tools you use, yoga is a great way to spend time with your child teaching him or her the importance of health through engaging both their bodies and their minds.  It's fun, it's easy, it's educational, and it's showing love in the greatest way possible by just being together.