Life is Better When You're Laughing

Moms, think back to life BC--Before Children. What could you do then that you can't do now?  You could take a quick trip to the store without packing an entire room of your house. You could walk through your living room without looking down, even in the dark. You could sleep in on the weekend. You could laugh without worry.  Yes, I'm talking about Light Bladder Leakage (LBL) . It happens to a lot of moms, and it doesn't just affect moms. Women haven't given birth can also be affected by LBL. Luckily, there's a solution. Poise makes products just for LBL. A lot of women use a period pad, and these are great for your period. Not so great for LBL. Poise pads are made just for LBL, so they absorb better. Poise panty liners absorb 3 times better than period pads!  The liners are thin, so they are better for those days that you need light coverage. Sam's Club has a great deal on Poise liners right now. You can get 132 Very Light Absorbency Liners for $11.68,

The Girlfriend Gift Guide: Heavy Metal

One of my f avorite magazines for fashion and beauty inspiration is Marie Claire.  I've been a fan since I was a teenager — which wasn't that long ago —so I was really excited to be a part of their promotion for my blog.  The December 2015 Marie Claire issue has 101 gift guide ideas for your besties.  The one that caught my eye was the Heavy Metal gift guide, so I created my own gift guide based on their suggestions.   I love the look of silver and gold because they can look glamorous or industrial, depending on how you use them.  

Easy DIY Bath and Body Recipes Christmas Gifts

I love giving handmade gifts for Christmas, especially for teachers and friends.  I want them to be something practical too, so I often look for something that will get used and consumed.  That's why I love giving bath and body recipes as gifts.  I love making them, and the recipients love getting them.  I have a lot of recipes posted here, and some are easier to make than others.  Here's a collection of easy DIY bath and body recipes that are perfect for gift giving.  When you buy the ingredients in bulk and use mason jars, they are also cost effective.  

Top 10 Nail Polishes for Winter

In the winter, nail polish colors tend to be more moody, more subdued. You'll see pastels swapped for metallic and jewel tone shades.  Here are some of my favorite nail polishes for winter.  Have fun mixing and matching them or using just one color at a time.  Create a new look without being a nail artist by adding glitter to just one nail or painting all your nails one color and adding a gold accent nail on each hand.  You don't have to be a pro to get awesome nails at home!

How to Date Your Husband

Do you remember, before you got married, when dates were almost magical?  You waited by the phone for him to call, and then you spent days thinking about your date and planning for it, wishing the weekend would come sooner.  When date day finally came, you picked the perfect outfit, fixed your hair just right, and meticulously applied your makeup.  Remember those butterflies in your tummy?   Now that I'm married with three kids, dates are few and far between.  I do dress nice, fix my hair, and apply my makeup, but it's not with the same care that I used to.  And those butterflies?  They are still there, and that's how I know I married my soul mate.  Keep reading for my top tips on how date your husband.

Watch TV Without The TV

I don't know about you, but November has been insanely busy for me.  December isn't looking much better.  We homeschool until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but my middle son has had a lot of appointments lately that cut in to our school time.  After that, it's time to work on my Etsy shop or write blog posts.  Then I clean the house, cook dinner, clean again, and finally it's time to relax for a few hours.  When it's time to relax, I just want to chill out and forget that the world exists for a while. Since I have my laptop with my all the time, I love that I can watch TV without my TV.  I've even taken my laptop to catch up on my favorite shows while my son is at one of his autism therapies.

Red and Gold Ombre Nail Art Tutorial

If you're starting to plan your holiday outfits and makeup , don't forget your nails.  This red and gold ombre nail art tutorial is so easy to do, and you can use it for a work party, family party, or going out with friends.  If you can't wait for Christmas, this will look great at Thanksgiving too.  Did I mention that this look is super easy?  You don't have to be pro to perfect this look, and you just need 3 products.  

Fall Favorites From Everything Pretty

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees at Target . All opinions are 100% mine. Fall is my favorite season, and I do believe that this fall has been my favorite fall so far!  The weather here in Ohio this year is just gorgeous.  I’ve been able to sit on my patio and sip my coffee every morning unless it’s raining, and that’s unheard of for November in Ohio.  Along with the beautiful weather, I love the rich, earth toned colors, the crisp air, and the falling leaves.  But my favorite thing about fall is pumpkin spice.  I want pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin spice beauty products, and pumpkin spice everything! Keep reading for my fall favorites, and a new product that is quickly becoming my new favorites.

4 Surprising Benefits of Massages

This post was sponsored by Massage Envy as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. My husband and I can both be described as workaholics.  We just don't stop.  Most of my work is done sitting at a desk, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't put a strain on my body.  Even though I'm self-employed as a blogger and writer, I still have tight deadlines.  Between social media writing, editing, and promoting, it can be mentally straining.  I spend many late nights writing after the kids go to sleep only to wake up early to start our homeschool day and do it all over again.  I'm not complaining; I absolutely love my job.  In the last few months, I've come to realize that I need to take care of my whole body, and that includes eating healthy, exercising, and getting regular massages.  Keep reading for four surprising benefits of massages.   

Dry Scalp Treatment

Winter is prime season for a dry scalp. A dry scalp can be caused dry skin, dandruff, psoriasis, or other condition.  While usually harmless, it can cause embarrassment if you are scratching your head often.  You usually do not need to see a doctor for this condition, but you should call your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if the condition worsens.  Try these dry scalp treatment options to help you get relief from this annoying condition.

Teaching Emotions to Children With Autism With Inside Out Charades

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias I'm an autism mom.  Times two.  Both of my boys have high functioning autism, and I also have a neurotypical daughter.  I believe that autism is a superpower, but that doesn't mean that my boys don't have challenges.  Since they are both high functioning, sometimes people don't think they do have autism.  Although they are both verbal and appear to be typical at first glance, they do have challenges that affect them in their daily lives.  One trait of autism that they both have is having difficulty reading other people's emotions and expressing their own emotions.  That's why we love the movie Inside Out so much.  When the movie came out on DVD on November 3, I went to Walmart to buy it for my kids, and you should too!  Keep reading to see how I'm using the movie to teach my kids how to read and express their emot

Gifts for the Hard to Shop for People in Your Life + Giveaway

Thank you Sol Alpaca and Mom It Forward  for sponsoring this post.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own. I start my Christmas shopping in the summer, but there are a few people that I can't find gifts for until the last minute because they are so hard to shop for. These are the people that buy the things that they need when they need them, so there aren't many options left for gift giving occasions.  I have given gift cards in years past, but they seem so impersonal.  For these people, I like to give them a luxury item, something that they wouldn't buy for themselves.  It gets cold here in Ohio, so scarves, sweaters, and warm weather gear are always a good choice.  Can you keep a secret?  A few lucky people on my Christmas list this year are getting Sol Alpaca scarves for Christmas.  Keep reading to see why I love them for gifts.   

10 Fashionable Fall Scarves

I love to accessorize my outfits with something that makes a statement while still being classy and elegant. My all time favorite accessory for the Fall is a scarf. Scarves are so easy to wear and they can really pull your outfit together. They are also warm and cozy as the weather starts to get cooler. They make me feel so comfy and they are also a great gift idea. If you like Fall scarves the way I do, check out my Top 10 Fall Scarves and get ready to fall in love!

What's in My Purse: Date Night Edition

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBia s Some women have a large wardrobe.  Some women have a lot of shoes.  Me?  I love purses.  I love classic name brand purses, purses with fun designs, big purses, small purses, and everything in between.  I don't change my purse for each outfit, but I do like to change for special occasions.  Date night is definitely a special occasion.  Keep reading to see what I pack in my purse for a night out with the hubby.

Aroma Sense Handheld Vitamin C Shower Head Giveaway Ends 12/7

For some people, a shower is just a method of getting clean. But for me, a shower is sometimes the only time I get to myself all day. It’s a source of relaxation and  tranquility for me. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to a long, hot shower at the end of the night before I go to bed. I light candles, put on some music and pamper myself with sweet smelling soaps, shampoos and other goodies. Sometimes I even bring a glass of wine into the bathroom with me! That shower is my “me time”; when I get to unwind, clear my head and allow myself to just let everything go for the rest of the night.

An Easier Way to Shop With CurrentC

Thank you to CurrentC for sponsoring this post and the fun family day that we had.  As always, all enthusiasm is my own.   I'm a firm believer in rewarding good behavior and hard work.  Over the summer and the start of fall, it seemed like all that we did was work.  We planted our half acre garden, weeded it, and then we harvested and canned the food.  When that was done, the orchard had apples and pears for us to harvest and can for the winter.  Then we started cutting down trees and splitting wood for the winter.  In addition to all of the outside chores we have, all three of my kids are homeschooled this year, and we've finally settled in to a good routine.  They are all working very hard, so we decided it was time for a reward.  Since we live on a farm with animals, we don't take vacations.  We take day trips instead.  Since the kids were ahead with their schooling, I let them skip a day in the middle of the week, and we took a trip to Columbus, Ohio, which is ab

Choosing The Perfect Panties for Your Health

Ladies, did you know that your choice in panties can affect your health?  It's true!  The wrong panties can be uncomfortable, and it could even cause a serious infection.  If you've had skin problems or other problems, it could be your panty choice.  Keep reading for tips on choosing the perfect panties and free samples of U by Kotex .

21 DIY Beauty and Spa Recipes Roundup

Friends, it is November, which means it's time to start thinking about holiday gifts.  If your list just keeps growing and growing like mine does, you can tackle it with these 21 DIY beauty and spa recipes.  Just double or triple the recipe, and you can check multiple people off of your list in just a few hours.  These make great gifts for teachers and other school help, coworkers, friends, and those people who you want to give them something little to let them know that you appreciate them.  Most of the ingredients can be found at your local craft store, grocery stores, or on Amazon . Chocolate Mint Foot Rub Making your own Lotion Lemonade Bath Salts Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub Foot Soak Spearmint Hand and Feet Scrub Bubble Gum Bath Salts Shampoo Home Hair Mask Peppermint and Oil Foot Scrub Milk and Honey Soap Lavender Bath Salts Bath bombs Soapsicles Foaming Hand Soap Strawberry Bath Salts Pina Colada Lip Balm Lip Scrub Lavender Green Clay mask Chocolate Faci

Dry Skin Winter Moisturizer from Derma e Vegan Cruelty Free Beauty

Thank you Derma e for providing me with a sample and sponsoring this post.   Winter is coming, which for me means that start of dry skin.  My skin is pretty happy for three seasons of the year, but as soon as the temperature drops, I start itching and getting flakes.  Since we live in the middle of nowhere, gas heat isn't an option.  We heat by burning wood or using propane, and both are very drying to your skin.  I set a kettle of water on top of the wood stove, but my skin still itches.  My facial skin is actually combination, so I have to be really careful what I use as a moisturizer because I either end up with my skin flaking or my T-zone really oily.  Keep reading for my recommendations for a dry skin winter moisturizer.

Different Types of Hair Rollers And How to Use Them

If hair rollers conjure an image of an old lady in a bathrobe surrounded by cats, you may be surprised at what all you can do with hair rollers.  They can transform your hair from straight to wavy, curly, and even trendy beach waves.  You can even use them to add some body to your existing style without using heat appliances, which can damage your hair. If you've tried shopping for hair rollers, you no doubt saw that there are many different types of hair rollers available.  The best one for you depends on the texture of your hair and your hair length.  Keep reading to learn about the different types of hair rollers and how to use them.  You may need to buy a set with different sizes or two or more sets depending on what type of curls you want.

Spiced Pumpkin Brulee Perfume Giveaway Ends 11/30

Fall is in full effect and I'm sure that by now you are either aware of or a part of the pumpkin spice madness. I have to admit that I am a part of it and proud! What's not to love, right? Pumpkin spice reminds me of Fall, it's a flavor and scent that makes me smile and I can't get enough of it. I have always had a sweet tooth and I know that I need to limit the amount of sweet treats I indulge in, but now I can enjoy my favorite without the calories!