The Blog

The Posh Play Mat Review

The new, stylish, wipeable, multi-use play mats for babies, toddlers and beyond from Posh Play are one of those items that every mom should have. I am a firm believer in buying one high quality item once instead of a bunch of cheap items over and over that do not work nearly as well. This amazing play mat is one of those baby items that is worth splurging on.

Wipes completely clean in an instant ? needs no laundering
Is made of planet-friendly and child-safe PVC-free faux leather
Has multiple uses for many ages and stages ? from infancy to toddlerhood and beyond
Comes in chic solid colors so it integrates with d?cor in any room of the house ? available in crocodile and other cool prints
Has a great celeb following, including Tori Spelling, Jenna Bush and more
Mom Created

This is one of those items that comes with me wherever we go. It is in the back of my mini van because it is an item you might not remember to pack but it is something that can always be used. Soccer season is coming up for my oldest and I will take this to all games so my youngest has somewhere clean to sit and play while we enjoy the game. Off to a park with friends this is the perfect mat for the kiddos to sit on to enjoy a snack. We are at Disney World a lot and this will go in the basket of our stroller. I hate having to sit on the ground while waiting for the parades to start and if I lay this out on the curb all 4 of us can sit on it and be comfy. Beach time will not happen without this mat. Perfect to use because if you are wet you can still use it then just wipe it off. Shake a few times and the sand will come right off.

As you can tell from the picture above it is very generous in size. That is my 2.5 year old on it. You can’t tell from the pictures but it has a nice thickness to it that makes it more comfy than sitting on a hard surface. I only wish I had this mat back when my girls were younger as there were many times we really needed it! They also make diaper clutches and bibs with the same cute colors and designs. If you are looking for a versatile play mat than your search is over because this has everything you need with a stylish look to go with it.

Connect:

You can connect with Posh Play on their website and Facebook.

Buy It!

You can purchase the Turquoise Play Mat for $98.

Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Blog· Recipes

When I think love, I think warm, happy fullness. And what’s warmer and makes you feel more loved or full than fresh baked cookies? So, while browsing websites one afternoon, Sonshine and I came across a recipe from Canary Girl for The Yummiest Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. I can never leave well enough alone, so, I’ve made an adaptation of her recipe and in honor of Valentine’s Day, we shaped this into the tastiest hearts you’ll ever munch on!

Ingredients

1/2 C Butter
1/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Chocolate Extract
1/4 C Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 C Creamy Peanut Butter
1 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Corn starch
2 C Chocolate Chips

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter and sugars. (To feel better, I used grass fed butter and organic sugars, but use whatever you’d like!)
Once fluffy, gently fold in the egg.
Mix in extract and peanut butters until combined.
Sift together baking powder, corn starch and flour then add to wet mixture.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Refrigerate dough 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
When ready to bake, prep a pan with either parchment or butter and flour.
Roll two pieces of dough into two equal sized logs and pinch just one end to create a heart shape. See the picture below.
Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brow. Cool and enjoy with a big cup of milk!

Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 C Butter
1/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Chocolate Extract
1/4 C Crunchy Peanut Butter
1 C Creamy Peanut Butter
1 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Corn starch
2 C Chocolate Chips

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter and sugars. (To feel better, I used grass fed butter and organic sugars, but use whatever you'd like!)
Once fluffy, gently fold in the egg.
Mix in extract and peanut butters until combined.
Sift together baking powder, corn starch and flour then add to wet mixture.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Refrigerate dough 2 hours and up to24 hours.
When ready to bake, prep a pan with either parchment or butter and flour.
Roll two pieces of dough into two equal sized logs and pinch just one end to create a heart shape. See the picture below.
Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brow. Cool and enjoy with a big cup of milk!

I’ve made these twice now in less than two weeks. The husband and kid just gobble them down and leave me crumbs, but, I just love baking for them! If you make these for the Valentine’s in your life, let me know in the comments below! Enjoy!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Like Nick and Vanessa Lachey

Blog· Valentine's Day

Nick and Vanessa Lachey are one of my favorite celebrity couples. It could be because I was a teen in the 90’s and had a huge crush on Nick, but they’re so sweet and genuine that you can’t help but think about love when you look at them. It’s only fitting that for Valentine’s Day this year they co-designed their own romantic cards for Treat. The cards can be personalized with your own photos and text for your sweetie. There are four card options, including a very original and extra cute one for mom from the kids just in case dad forgets to get a card.

Nick and Vanessa shared some of their own helpful tips on how to rev up your Valentine’s Day:

1. Hire a sitter and get all glammed up for a “date night” to a new and unexpected destination ? like a midnight movie, exhibition at the local museum or a live theatre performance.

2. Cook breakfast together and enjoy it in bed.

3. Book a romantic getaway to watch the sunset, and then order room service and enjoy a movie. Be sure to place the ?Do Not Disturb? sign on your door? and sleep in the next morning!

4. Indulge in a couples? massage and relax together at the spa. Better yet, give each other a massage at home and fill your room with scented candles and use edible aromatherapy oils.

5. Listen to live music together, either jazz at a local spot, or an intimate concert at a nearby vineyard or restaurant.

Treat is an online site where users can create custom, one of a kind, personalized greeting cards within minutes. You can set reminders for occasions, schedule cards to be sent up to a year in advance, and have the cards sent via mail or digitally. Why wait in line to buy a generic drugstore greeting card when you can create your own unique card sure to make your loved one smile?

To order Treat’s new exclusive Valentine’s Day Cards for as low as $1.99, visit www.treat.com/valentine or order via their app. Be sure to place your order by 2/10 for Valentine’s Day delivery!

Baby Sebamed Collection for Delicate Skin

Blog· Review

baby lotion, baby cream, children's shampoo, baby bubble bath

I love products that are safe for my children especially those that are safe for their skin. Unfortunately, my children have major allergies and I have to use special detergents, soaps and lotions for their skin. That’s why I was so excited to review products from the Baby Sebamed Collection. The samples I received were Baby Sebamed Baby Cream (Extra Soft), Baby Sebamed Baby Bubble Bath, Baby Sebamed Children’s Shampoo and Baby Sebamed Baby Wash (Extra Soft ). My children’s ages are 6 months, three, and eight.

Baby Sebamed Baby Bubble Bath

All soap and detergents irritate my children’s skin so I am always looking for mild products that we can use everyday. This tear-free bubble bath naturally softens the skin with extracts of chamomile. It does NOT use harsh bubbling agents. My children have enjoyed bath time since I have been bathing them in this bubble bath. They haven’t even argued with me when I tell them it’s bath time.

Baby Sebamed Children’s Shampoo

At my house washing hair can be a battle, but I love their gentle cleansing shampoo. It left my daughters hair silky and easy to comb. My three year old still has a form of cradle cap so I am excited to see how the herbal extracts from fennel, yarrow, mistletoe and chamomile will work to alleviate irritation and soothe her scalp. Even baby boy has begun showing cradle cap. Hope to stop it before it really gets started.

Baby Sebamed Baby Wash, Extra Soft

Traditional soap has a pH of 9 and can dry baby’s skin out. This cleansing wash’s ultra mild emollient formula has the perfect pH 5.5. It is gentle enough to use every day, this moisturizing cleanser softens and soothes even the most sensitive baby’s skin. With this harsh winter we have had I’ve been using this on all my children’s skin.

Baby Sebamed Baby Cream, Extra Soft

My daughter hates lotion so when this cream arrived I asked her to try it. For the first time ever at age eight my daughter will put something on her dry skin. Her legs have always looked awful from the chafing on her knees. This can be a little embarrassing during basketball season, but since she has been using this cream her skin is noticeably softer, and healthier. The cream is absorbed quickly and is non-greasy.

We have enjoyed using the Baby Sabamed brand and my children even prefer to use this brand over others. I love all the natural ingredients that are used in all their products. My children have not complained about their skin itching, and it has not been red and irritated during these harsh winter weeks. I would recommend this brand to anyone with delicate skin.

Other Available Products:

Cleansing Bar
Liquid Face & Body Wash
Moisturizing Body Lotion
Hand & Nail Balm
Cleansing Shower Oil
Baby Diaper Rash Cream
Baby Cleansing Wipes
Baby Lotion

Connect:

You can connect with Baby Sebamed on their website, Facebook, @SebamedUSA, or You Tube.

Buy it
You can buy Baby Sebamed products for $12.99 at Walgreens and SebamedUSA.com

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

DIY 3 Ingredient Salt Scrub with Coconut & Lavender

DIY· Style/Beauty

While I normally associate the phrase “summer bodies are made in the winter” with exercise, I think prepping our skin for the summer during the cold months applies to this too. Even though I live in Florida and we’re practically swimming in humidity, my skin gets incredibly dry during the winter months. It’s a relief it’s been too cold to wear shorts because my legs could definitely use some TLC.

I’m not a big fan of store bought beauty items when I can make them myself. I figured, why pay money to use artificial ingredients and fragrances when I can have something completely natural, less expensive, and have the joy of knowing I made it myself. Not only is this scrub easy to make, but it would make a great gift for girlfriends or moms for Valentine’s Day.

Here is what you need to make your own DIY 3 Ingredient Salt Scrub?:

-Jar/container (I used a Mason jar since it’s what I had on hand)
-1 cup Epsom or sea salt
-1/2 cup coconut oil (you could also use some other type of non cooking oil like grapeseed or almond)
-5 drops lavender essential oil (or any other scent you like)

Step 1: Measure out salt and pour into jar. Be sure to break up any clumps of salt.

Step 2: Add oil into jar.

Step 3: Add 5 drops of essential oil

Step 4: This is an optional step, but I added lavender buds to make it look pretty.

Step 5: Mix it all together and viola – you’re done!

If giving as a gift you can tie it with a ribbon or put a little note on the lid of the jar. You can customize this any way you like – use sugar instead of salt, change the oil you use, or even change the scent. This is one of the simplest things you can make to pamper yourself and it’s totally worth it; my legs and hands were feeling soft and smooth after using this scrub.

I’d love your comments on how you pamper yourself in the winter months!

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