Tag Archives: fall

Trick-or-Treat, Give Me Something COOL to Drink… (Cool Gear Halloween Giveaway)

22 Sep

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Happy First Day of Autumn!  Although, we are sad summer is over, the crisp fall air is refreshing and it means time for pumpkin picking and Halloween.  My girls are anxiously awaiting Halloween!  They started planning their costumes over the summer and are already making plans with friends for Halloween night!

We recently received a Cool Gear Inc 14 oz Light Up Skull Mug and set of Glow Eyeball Ice Cubes.  My daughter opened it immediately and wanted to leave a “spooky” drink in the fridge for her dad when he came home from work.  We looked in the fridge and came up with “The Eye Socket” (below).  The mug features a flashing light that is turned on and off with a button on the bottom and the eyeballs glow once they are charged with light, adding extra festive fun perfect for night.

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Our favorite berries are Driscoll’s

We have made this drink several times, and every time my girls enjoy it.  It makes about 2 servings.  They enjoy measuring and mixing the ingredients themselves.  They also love smashing the blueberries.  We plan on having a few friends over for pizza before trick-or-treating and will be serving this fun Halloween drink!  DSC_0994

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Another Fall favorite is Apple Cider.  Our favorite apple cider is  from Red Jacket Orchards, found at Whole Foods.  I received a sample of SINFIRE Cinnamon Whiskey from Hood River Distillers not long ago, and decided it might be a good combination.  It sure was tasty.  A great drink to cozy up and relax with after the kids are in bed.  An easy drink to have at an adult Halloween party.  Serve it in this awesome mug and keep it cool with the eyeball ice cubes to “light-up” your night!

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Make this Halloween extra “Spooktacular” for you and your kids and enter to win a Cool Gear Light Up Mug and set of Glow Eyeball Ice cubes by clicking the link HERE!  Giveaway ends on 9/30/2013 at 11:59 p.m.

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More information about the products  below:

Image from Cool Gear Inc

Please note that these eyeball ice cubes are intended for adult use.  My girls asked to use them in their drinks and I explained the cubes were for their cups and not to be put in their mouths.  Because of their size and shape, they could be a choking hazard.  If you choose to use these eyeballs, supervision is required. Image/ Information from Cool Gear

Image/ Information from Cool Gear

Image/ Information from Cool Gear

Disclaimer:  I received a Light Up Skull Mug and set of Glow Eyeball Cubes for this review.  All photos, recipes, and opinions, unless noted, are my own and require permission if used on another site.

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Lotty Dotty: Unique Shirt Girls Will Love!

3 Sep

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My girls love dolls.  I haven’t met many girls that don’t like dolls.   For my girls, one of their favorite activities is picking out what their doll is going to wear  whether they are dressing Barbie, an American Girl or one of their magnetic doll sets.  If you walk into their room they have dolls half-naked trying to figure out what outfit to dress them in next.   When we are out or traveling they use magnetic dress up activities to keep entertained. They love creating their own looks and love having their dolls dress for an occasion.

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My daughter recently received a Lotty Dotty t-Shirt.  The t-shirt has a screen-print doll with a velcro body suit to attach interchangeable designer outfits.   Lotty Dotty shirts, available for both women and children, are very soft and comfortable. Lotty Dotty uses organic and recyclable materials as much as possible.  Choose your favorite doll and pick a few outfits to dress her up.  The gorgeous interchangeable outfits are created by talented and unknown designers worldwide.  Tote bags are also available with your favorite Lotty Dotty doll on the front.  Use them as a diaper bag, your child’s dance bag or carry your child’s favorite things while on-the-go or traveling.   They will love dressing up the doll.

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Images from Lotty Dotty,  Top two images  for women: Je t’aime Paris and Romantic Lace Dress. Bottom two are for children: Gone Gaga and Little Flowe Dress.

When my daughter wore it out for the first time, she received many compliments and questions about where the shirt was from.  It is her favorite shirt for back-to-school.  She changes the two outfits multiple times a day.   Lotty Dotty clothing and accessories would make a wonderful gift for the holidays as well as upcoming birthday parties.

Women’s shirts cost $50 and come with one interchangeable outfit.  Additional outfits are available for $12-$15.  Children’s shirts cost $35 with an outfit included.  Additional outfits are available for $7-$18.  Tote bags cost $40. For more information, please visit www.lottydotty.com.

Disclaimer:  I received a sample shirt for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics came from Lotty Dotty. Information in Italics came from Lotty Dotty.

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Back-to-School with Justin Boots for Kids

27 Aug
Image from Justin Boots

Image from Justin Boots

When I shop for footwear for back-to-school, I like to buy things that are versatile and can be worn with most of their outfits. I love cowgirl boots because they can be worn with jeans (tucked in or out), skirts, shorts or dresses. My oldest daughter loves cowgirl boots.  She received her first pair when she was two and insisted on wearing them everyday, even when she outgrew them.   When she received a pair of Justin Boots, she was ecstatic and decided she was going to wear them for the first day of Kindergarten. More after image…

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A few ways my oldest likes to wear her boots! She was a little disappointed to learn her little sister has caught up and wears the same size!

Justin Boots for Kids come in many gorgeous styles for both boys and girls.  I chose the Justin® Kids Tan Puma Snip Toe Western Boots (pictured above) for my oldest daughter because the design is subtle, beautiful, and they can go with just about everything.   The Puma Snip Toe Western Boots are made of soft leather and feature a patented J-Flex Flexible Comfort System® helps make Justin Boots the most comfortable boots you’ll ever own!   My daughter is very sensitive to touch and is very particular about how things fit.  She was able to walk in her boots with ease and told me they were very comfortable for her when she walked.  She absolutely LOVES the cowgirl heel. I could not stop smiling when she jumped up and down saying “Mom, wow, I can’t believe I have heels on”.  The pull strap makes the boots easy to put on but my daughter had a little difficulty taking them off.  Both of my girls measure around an 11 and the size 11 boot fit them great.  I love the boots so much I am going to order another style, Justin®Children’s Bay Westerner w/ Saddle Vamp in Pink Cowhide (pictured below), for my youngest!

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 Justin® Kids Tan Puma Snip Toe Western Boots are available for purchase on Cavenders.com.  

Justin Boots, the standard of the west since 1879, also has styles for Men and Women. To learn more check out these links: Justin Boots, Justin Boot Technology, Fit Guide , Boot Making, Leather Care, How to Wear Cowgirl Boots, and the California Prop 65 Warning.

Follow Justin Boots on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclaimer:  I received Justin Boots for the purpose of this review.  This did not alter my opinion.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Information in italics came from the Justin Website.

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ValMax: The Perfect Party Dress

3 Jan

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20121231-201644.jpgMy girls love every excuse to get dressed up in their best dresses.  They hear party and they run to their closet to pick out their fanciest attire.  The Holidays are usually their favorite time of year because they get to dress their best for family gatherings and parties.  This Holiday Season the girls dressed in dresses from ValMax, a luxury Italian children’s label that has been around for 53 years.  Their handmade clothing for girls 3-14 is simple, elegant, chic, and comfortable for little girls who love to dance the day away like mine do.  I was taken aback by the superb quality of the materials used and the beautiful styles of ValMax.  The dresses were true to size.  The purple dress was a size 6 and had a lot of room for my daughter to grow into it. The other dress was a size 4 (their actual size) and both my girls fit it perfectly.

ValMax is trying to enter a new era of the 21st century by implementing the trends while preserving their original vision, quality, creativity, style, and most of all their great tradition of Italian craftmanship. The inspiration for their collection comes from the lands of  Southern Italy, the love for color and the taste for richness in textures. The Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection features three themes:

  • Wishful Days combines pastels with hints of sage green, winter mocha and black and white Chanel-esque vintage tweeds.
  • First Bloom is everyday wear that makes a statement of individuality by using colors and prints to evoke the first blossoms of early spring.
  • Wonderland Blossom incorporates elegant occasion wear that features ultra light techno-silk combined with cashmere dresses and pleated shift dresses. 

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Just because the holidays are over, 2013 brings weddings and other special occasions that will need the perfect party dress from ValMax! Be on the lookout for the stunning Spring/Summer 2013 line for girls and a newly added line for boys.

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To purchase visit these online retailers: http://www.monpetitchild.com, http://www.lavishkids.com or click here to find a store near you that carries ValMax.

Disclaimer: I received two dresses to see the quality of the label.  All opinions expressed are my own.  The information in italics came from a press release received and from the  ValMax website.  The bottom images came from ValMax. 

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MBA Mom’s Fashion Event With Quincy Apparel

9 Oct

A few weeks ago, I attended the MBA Mom’s Fashion Event with Quincy Apparel to showcase fall fashion for working mom’s. I am a stay-at-home mom but have contemplated going back to work and wanted to get the latest fashion tips for working moms.  I found a few pieces in Quincy Apparel’s Fall Collection that I really liked and would wear out at night regardless of going back work.  I have looked for a blazer for a while now and haven’t found any that fit right.  Quincy Apparel has smarter sizing, meaning they measure based on torso and bust size.  My two favorites were the Elliott Blazer and the sparkling Emma Jacket.  Both are versatile and can be worn from day-to-night.  The blouses are fabulous because they have an invisible snap so there is no gaping and you won’t have to worry about giving anyone a”show” while you are at work.  The pants come in four lengths (regular, short, long, and no hem) to fit different heights. Quincy Apparel is made and designed in New York City!  

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The extremely comfortable Elliott blazer is on my wish list for the Holidays!

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The event was catered by Shellie Porter.  Loved the Baked by Melissa cupcakes!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.  I received a swag bag for attending and won a set of fashion activity books for my girls.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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