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How Do You Keep Yourself Feeling Fresh and Sexy

Things change after you become a mom. It suddenly becomes all about the kids and everything else gets pushed to the back burner, including our relationships. We often forget to make time for each other, but it’s so important to try to keep things fresh and sexy – for the overall lasting quality of our relationship.

A daily routine for me is getting the kids up and off to school, cleaning the house, laundry, working, making dinner, picking up some more, helping with homework and countless other tasks on my daily to-do list. The Man works a very demanding job physically, so by the time the day is done, we’re both exhausted.

Not to mention, our house is constantly full of people, so we literally have to squeeze time in for each other when no one is around. I’m sure some of you ladies can relate to me here. There’s only a few minute window, but we like to make sure that we feel clean beforehand! I don’t care if I showered 8 hours or an hour before. I get all self conscious and stuff. I worry if I have stubble on my legs, if I smell good and other things like that. That’s why we’ve been using Fresh + Sexy wipes lately – to help things feel a little cleaner before and after.

Without going into detail and me laying it all out there for you – let’s just say that these little wipes have helped give my husband and I a little more time for each other. I feel more comfortable taking that few minute window now if we can and I don’t feel as self conscious about myself. Clean up afterward is a breeze now too!

I know this is a tough topic and trust me, it was hard to write about too! But at the same time, I’ve found something that works for those intimate moments. I’m sure I wasn’t alone in my worries, so hopefully this can help some of you other moms in those behind closed doors situations!

So let’s forget about our insecurities and just remember that our partners love us for who we are. They’re happy with us, so we should be happy with ourselves too!

Connect with Fresh + Sexy on Facebook for some totally pun intended humor!

A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise DVD Review

Blog· Review

?This exciting and fun-filled sequel to A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures,
the beloved aquatic heroes return for more underwater fun in the heartwarming
and hilarious adventures, A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise. When
Sammy and Ray find themselves trapped in The Tank, and underwater aquarium,
they must to hatch a plan to escape past Big D and his dopey friends to reunite
with their grandkids Ricky and Ella. With the help of some unlikely friends,
Sammy and Ray find that when you work together, anything is possible!
Debuting on Blu-ray/DVD/3D combo pack will be available for the first
time July 9 for the retail price of $19.97.?

My girls and I were so excited when A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise DVD arrived in the mail. This was perfect timing for our mini family vacation. Since we were unable to travel this summer, due to my pregnancy, we took a short two hour trip to Atlanta to the Aquarium. They both sat quietly for the duration of the movie as we traveled. We even got to see turtles at the Aquarium!!! What a great way to turn a movie into an educational experience. My eldest daughter took pictures of everything and was a perfect angel.

I finally got a chance to watch the movie with my girls and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fun-filled adventure started right away when Sammy and Ray were captured. Their grandchildren Ricky and Ella followed in an attempt to rescue them. They were taken to an underwater aquarium restaurant of sorts where people came to eat and watch the sea creatures. Once Sammy and Ray were in the aquarium they began looking for a way out to rescue their grandchildren. They met all sorts of sea creatures along their way. This one seahorse called Big D has made several attempts to break out of this aquarium, but has been unsuccessful. This is just the beginning of many adventures.

Connect: You can connect with A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise on Amazon.

Buy It!

You can buy A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise DVD for $19.97.

Giveaway Winner: Entry #88Julie L.

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.

Control Your Security with SwannSmart Wi-Fi Network Camera with Secure Cloud Storage

Blog· Review· Tech

I happen to live in what is ranked one of the top 10 most dangerous cities by the FBI Uniform Crime Report for 2013. Although I live in the suburban area of St. Louis, it still happens to be too near multiple incidents, including burglaries, for my taste. Because of this we’ve been looking into affordable security that we can access away from home and thankfully I was given the opportunity to review SwannSmart Wifi Network Camera; which also includes Secure Cloud Storage.

SwannSmart Wifi Network Camera is very attractive, unobtrusive and has a very simple step by step instruction guide to help you with setup. There are also many attractive features:

Wi-Fi Internet camera packed with safeguard features for home & business security.
Mount the camera on any flat surface, upside down, on the ceiling, or on a wall.
Built for life on the go with SwannSmart app by iSecurity+ for viewing on PC, Mac, tablets & Smartphones including iPhone, iPad & Android devices*
Easy plug-&-play setup with free app download from the App Store or Google Play for mobile live viewing & in-app video recording to your 3G/4G device.
Capture events as they happen to SwannSmart Secure Cloud & know what’s happening via mobile push notification
Built-in Microphone.
12ft (4m) Night vision.
Sharing capability through phone app
Fully expandable and can add mutiple cameras.
Perfect for day/night.

When we first received it my husband was on a crazy schedule that didn’t allow him to have a lot of time with our tot. So one afternoon I had set it up in our living-room, had my husband download the App on his phone and use the name/password I created and viola! He was 30 minutes away from us, sitting at a desk at work and watching his son at home clear as day. He could even listen to him say, “I miss you” due to the built-in microphone. From that point on we knew this was going to be a great camera for our family.

The SwannSmart Wifi Network Camera can be used inside the home as well as outside. There is a feature that offers motion detection, in case everyone is gone and you are wanting to be alerted if a trespasser is in your home or for monitoring children, once the baby starts moving it’ll notify your phone via the app!?
This next video will show you how to do the setup as well as how the monitoring system works.?
There are also many videos to help you from the simple things like setting up and managing your account to more complicated pieces, configuring your Wi-Fi.This camera does require a fast connection for the best picture and sound quality. Also, while the video is playing you can choose to record and store the video into the Cloud or even share monitoring with friends or family members. Cloud services are subscription based and you can read about that service by visiting the SwannSmart page.

What I really love is that this is available for both iOS and Android, it is affordable, simple and an all around great family security camera. It’s nice to know that if we ever go out as a family, or even if my husband and I decide to go out and have someone watch tot, that we can keep an eye on things at home.

It has eased off a lot of concern that had come out of reading the new crime reports regarding our city. After all, home is where our children feel safe and secure and it is our job to make sure it stays that way. Whether you are in the market for a camera or are coming to realize it is an important necessity around the house, this is certainly one camera you don’t want to miss looking into!

Connect: You can learn more about the camera and their many products by visiting Swann, “Liking” them on Facebook and/or?@SwannSecurity on Twitter.

I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman

Blog· Review

I'd Know you Anywhere My Love book cover

I?d Know You Anywhere, My Love
A Paean to Dreams and Imaginations
From the best-selling author of
On the Night You Were Born
Nancy Tillman

Published by Feiwel and Friends ? ISBN: 9780312553685
Hardcover ? Ages 4 to 8 / Grades p to 3

Inspired by her own children who often pretended to be different animals, I?d Know You Anywhere, My Love is written from the point of view of a mother whose child becomes a bear cub, a rhino, a ringtail raccoon, among other animals. Filled with affirmation, I?d Know You Anywhere, My Love teaches children to dream big and remain confident that, whatever they aspire to be, they will be recognized and loved.

There is just something special about a book that shows the connection between the love of a parent to the love of their child. This book does that and more with beautiful illustrations and loving words blended together.

The words on the accompanying page.

About the Author:

Nancy Tillman is the author and illustrator of the New York Times-bestselling picture book, On the Night You Were Born; its companion journal, The Wonder of You; The Spirit of Christmas; Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You (also a New York Times bestseller); and The Crown on Your Head. She also created the mischievous cat Tumford in Tumford the Terrible and Tumford’s Rude Noises, and illustrated It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas. Nancy lives in Portland, Oregon.

There is just something magical about this book that sets it apart from all the others out there. Tillman manages to get right into the heart of a child and put it on paper for kids and parents both to enjoy. I don’t know how she does it but I definitely feel warm and fuzzy inside after reading this book and I am NOT a warm and fuzzy kind of person. Every child should have this book read to them to remind them of the love their parent has for them!

Connect:

You can connect with Nancy Tillman on Facebook and @Nancy_Tillman on twitter.

Buy It!

You can purchase I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love for $17.99.

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.

Monthly Subscription Box – Bestowed with Discount Code

Blog· Review

Bestowed‘s mission is to is to teach people how to eat well. We do this by sending our members (who are consumers) a box filled with the best healthy food and lifestyle products every month. Each product that we include is carefully vetted by leading nutritionist and author Heather Bauer and in every box is detailed product info, recipes, tips, and more. We feature big brands like Natures Path and Zico but we are equally committed to featuring smaller/newer brands like Glow and SeaSnax. Brands do not (and cannot) pay to be featured. In addition, we are introducing themed boxes kicking off in September with a back to school box and in October a non-GMO box!

I am a huge fan of monthly subscription boxes. Mainly because I love trying new things but I am not normally the type of person that picks out new things on my own so this way they are sent directly to my house as a surprise! I have bought many things over the last year all because I tried it first in a monthly subscription box. Bestowed is another one of these subscription boxes but what I really like about them is that they are geared towards healthier eating which is exactly what I have been trying to do for me and my whole family!

First thing you see is a bright orange box at your door and you know you have a box of surprises waiting for you. I felt like it was my birthday!

I opened mine and it was stuffed full of goodies!

Miracle Noodles
Cascadian Farm Crunchy Oats and HOney Granola Bar
Living Healthy World Flax N’ Chia Stix
Lundberg Family Farms Santa Fe Barbecue Rice Chips
Mighty Leaf Sunburst Green Iced Tea Pouch
Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar
Noosa Yoghurt Coupon
Reboot
SeaSnax Grab n’ Go Roasted Seaweed Snacks

I am completely new to the health food world and I had no idea what any of these things were and that was half the fun!!! Bestowed sends along a booklet that tells you what everything is and how to use it in your healthier eating lifestyle!

These are things I definitely would not have picked up in stores and this way I got to try it out first and I surprised myself with how much I liked the different items. I am a believer of you don’t know if you like it until you try it and Bestowed completely surpassed my expectations and sent some really great stuff.

Connect:

You can connect with Bestowed on Facebook and @bstowed on twitter.

Buy It!

You can purchase a Bestowed subscription for $19 a month.

Discount Code:

5OFFBESTOWED03 for $5 off your first box.

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.

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