The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Allstate Foundation® and Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are my own. 

Domestic violence has become an extremely hot topic in the news lately. It seems like every time you turn the channel, another celebrity is being accused of or arrested on a domestic abuse charge. However, there is one celebrity that is taking a stance against domestic violence. Emmy-nominated actress and domestic violence activist, Kerry Washington, is serving as a Purple Purse ambassador to help raise awareness of financial abuse, a form of domestic abuse.

Domestic violence affects as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Although when most people think about domestic violence, they think only of physical abuse, however financial abuse happens in 98% of these cases, and is one of the most powerful ways that the abuser uses to keep the victim trapped.  Often times, the reason that domestic violence victims are forced to stay is because they don’t have the financial resources to free themselves. For example, if a victim's credit score is ruined by an abuser, she could have a hard time finding a place to live.

To help raise awareness of this serious issue, Kerry Washington designed a limited-edition purple purse (the color of domestic violence awareness). It’s Allstate’s Purple Purse Foundation’s goal to help make it fashionable to speak openly about and bring awareness to this topic.

This year, Allstate Foundation has issued the Purple Purse Challenge, in an effort to fund raise for 145 community partners across the country who provide financial empowerment services for domestic violence survivors. The Allstate Foundation is also distributing Purple Purse charms to Challenge participants, so that you can turn any purse into a Purple Purse. Along with each charm, comes a card with the inspiring story of a survivor.

You can go to PurplePurse.com between Sept. 2 and Oct. 3 to learn more about domestic violence and financial abuse, and to join the Challenge to help a nonprofit near you.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Happy Child Super Nutrition Shakes

I received this product complimentary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Raise your hand if your child is a picky eater.. I know it just keeps on getting worse with my girls. It seems like each time I serve dinner, there is something new that they refuse to eat. As a parent, I obviously worry if they're getting enough nutrients on a daily basis.

I was thrilled when Happy Family asked if I'd be interested in trying out their new Happy Child Super Nutrition Shakes. Each of the chocolate or vanilla shakes contains eight organic fruits and vegetables, and no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. The eight grams of protein and 21 vitamins and minerals available in each serving are sure to help balance out even the pickiest eater's uneven diet. 

V chose to try the vanilla flavor, so Adri got chocolate. I tried a little of each. I was pleasantly surprised when Veronica's eyes lit up after her first sip. From there, there was no taking the drink away from her. It was the perfect afternoon snack between a bowl of rice for lunch and untouched pasta at dinner. Personally, I preferred the flavor of vanilla drink. Both flavors had a nice consistent texture. Sort of like a thicker milk drink, but not overly thick. If that makes sense.

Since the shakes don't need to be refrigerated, they're the perfect option for busy days when you know meals will be coming from a drive thru. You can just toss them in your bag and go! Four-packs can be found at a Target, select Safeway stores, and on Amazon.com. 

Philips Norelco Hair Clipper 7100 + #HighNTight Campaign

I received this product complimentary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Not too long after we got married, my wonderful trusting husband gave me the chance to cut his hair. Let's just say that hairdresser I am not. When the opportunity recently presented itself to give the Philips Norelco Hair Clipper 7100 a try, I knew that I wouldn't be the one doing any cutting. Instead I stood back an watched as Hubs cut his own hair. Scary stuff, y'all!

Right off the bat, I was impressed with this clipper for two reasons. The first being that unlike the traditional clipper that I'm used to where you have to switch out the little combs for the length, this clipper has a dial that allows you to adjust the length setting instantly. The second cool feature is that this clipper is capable of being cordless. Since we used it right out of the box, we had to have it plugged in, but if you're willing to charge for an hour, you'll get 120 minutes of cordless use.

In the end, I was actually impressed with Husbter's hair cutting skills. The Philips Norelco Hair Clipper 7100 made it pretty simple to achieve the High & Tight look.

In an effort to make a visual statement with the High & Tight, Philips Norelco is asking for guys to show off their iconic military haircuts with the "High & Tight Salute" campaign. Philips Norelco hopes to drive awareness for organizations that support our service members and their families with this campaign. To kick it off, they are donating $25,000 to Operation Homefront with an additional $5,000 as they ask their fans to upload their own High & Tight photos to Twitter and tag @PhilipsNorelco with the hashtag #HighNTight.

Need some guidance? Let baseball player Nick Swisher show you how it's done: here.

By uploading your photo, you also have a chance to win your very own Philips Norelco Hair Clipper 7100. Enter for your chance to win via the Rafflecopter widget below.

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NO MORE TANGLES

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® and Latina Bloggers Connect.

People are constantly commenting on how gorgeous the girls’ curls are (BTW, thanks! I made them myself.). For the most part, I like to leave their hair down and natural to give the curls a chance to just bounce around freely. When V goes to school though, I almost have to put it in some sort of ponytail to keep it from morphing into a rat’s nest by the end of the day.

I just started using JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® three-step regimen as part of the girls’ hair care routine, and so far, I’m impressed. We've pretty much always been a JOHNSON’S® family, but up until now, I was really only using a head-to-toe soap. The NO MORE TANGLES® leave-in conditioner and detangling spray were just what we needed to manage the crazy curls.

Since I like to keep it simple, Veronica’s school day hairstyle is relatively simple to accomplish. It all begins the night before at bath time.

Step 1: After wetting her hair with warm water, I apply JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® Shampoo & Conditioner, and lather it up. I love that there is a version for thick/curly hair, because that’s exactly what V has. The shampoo/conditioner leaves her hair easier to brush and manage without weighing it down. I also love the NO MO TEARS® formula, which is gentle to eyes, and makes rinsing it out less scary.

Step 2: Once bath time is over, I towel-dry her hair and apply a small amount of JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® Leave-In Conditioner. This product compliments the shampoo & conditioner to help unlock stubborn tangles. The conditioners help keep her nice and smooth, with no rinsing required.

 Step 3: In the morning, I liberally spray JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® Detangling Spray to slightly dampen V’s hair. I hate brushing her hair when it’s dry, so this not only wets it a tad, but also helps to instantly undo knots that may have formed overnight. I brush back her hair, tie it up in a ponytail, and add a cute headband as a special touch. The ponytail allows for her cute little curls to bounce while also keeping her hair controlled and out of her face.
JOHNSON’S® NO MORE TANGLES® Collection is available in food, drug, and mass-market chain stores.

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Say Adios to Diapers - Part 2

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Pull-Ups® Training Pants and Latina Bloggers Connect.

As promised, I am back with a second potty training related post. In the first Say Adios to Diapers post, I touched on some potty training tips that I think helped get Veronica potty trained. This post will be all about what we plan to do differently when it comes to Adriana.

I’ve mentioned several times before that Adri is in cloth diapers. It’s sort of my practice run for when Juliana gets here. Even though she is in cloth diapers, we keep a pack of Pull-Ups around the house for several different reasons. Many parents prefer to use disposables such as Pull-Ups instead of cloth at night to avoid any leakage issues. They're much easier to travel in, and when rashes happen, its safe to use diaper cream in Pull-Ups.

When it comes to potty training this time around, I feel like we’ll be taking a more relaxed approach. V wasn’t even two yet when we started practicing going potty on the toilet. It took until she was three and a half before she was fully potty trained. I have no desire to deal with that again. Adri has shown some interest, but it hasn’t been consistent, so I’m not going to force it.

We still have the toddler-sized potty, which is housed in the girls’ bathroom. Anytime Adri does use the toilet, she receives a mini celebration. No candy rewards this time although we have added some fun incentives to the mix.

Through the Pull-Ups website, we’re able to include fun activities into the potty training routine. Even though V is potty trained, she gets a kick out of some of these such as FaceTime with Cinderella. If you need progress chart, there is a free printable one that allows you to include your child’s name and your own customizable accomplishments. I can’t forget about the Big Kid App, which allows your toddler to enjoy Pull-Ups fun on the go.  

If you’re currently in the potty training phase, I encourage you to visit the Pull-Ups website. Along with a variety of activities for your little one, they offer resources to help you as a parent with potty training. You can also click for a Pull-Ups coupon. Potty training can be a challenge, but with Pull-Ups helping along the way, the journey doesn’t seem so tough.

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Say Adios to Diapers - Part 1

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Pull-Ups® Training Pants and Latina Bloggers Connect.

As a parent, potty training has been one of those most frustrating experiences that I’ve had to deal with, by far. It took several attempts at potty training before it finally stuck with Veronica. Soon it will be Adri’s turn to start potty training. While I’m dreading having to go through the process again, I learned a lot the first time around that I’m hoping will assist this time.

For the first part of this Say Adios to Diapers series, I’ll be sharing some of the insight gathered from round one of potty training with V. In the second post, I’ll be talking about what we plan to do with Adri and what we’ll be doing differently from the first time.

Get the gear. When potty training Veronica, we started off by buying two things. She got a miniature potty that doubled as a stool and had a removable seat, which could be attached to the toilet, as well as “big girl pants,” aka Pull-Ups. The toddler-sized potty made it easy for her to go on her own and being able to use the seat to make the big toilet child friendly helped a bunch too.

Being in Pull-Ups versus diapers has been proven to deliver more potty training success. Not only did V feel less like a baby with wearing big girl pants, but they made it possible for her to remove them on her own when it came time to use the toilet. With Pull-Ups’ partnership with The First Years, parents can purchase a specialty potty seat for her toddler featuring a free sample pack of Pull-Ups® Training Pants.

Consistency. Continually repeating the same routine helps it to become a habit. For that reason, a trip to the potty was something that happened first thing every morning. I have to pee when I first wake up, so why wouldn’t she? I believe that getting Veronica accustomed to this first trip, made it easier for her to recognize what I felt like to have to go. And even if she didn’t use the potty for the rest of the day, this first trip was always something that happened.

Positive Reinforcement. Since the very beginning, we’ve made a big deal out of every potty occurrence that actually happened on the toilet. Celebrate the Every Flush is a ritual designed to celebrate successes in potty training. In our home, each flush was accompanied by lots of cheering and clapping. For a while, Veronica was rewarded for going on the potty with a treat, usually a piece of candy. After a while, she was getting too much candy, so we stopped that. Some parent’s choose the healthier alternative of stickers or reward charts.

The main thing that I learned with Veronica is that potty training takes some serious commitment. It didn't happen right away, and it actually took several separate attempts with breaks in between for it to catch on. For that reason, I'm not in a huge rush with Adri, yet. But I do have plans that I'll discuss next time.

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You're Doing OK, Mom

As a mom, often times it’s difficult to know whether or not you’re doing a good job.

When you first bring your little bundle home from the hospital and you can’t figure out why they’re still crying after you’ve tried everything, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing.

The process seems to repeat itself when they hit the terrible twos. Tantrums and endless crying happening all over again. Only now, it happens in public and you get resentful glances from strangers. Once again, it’s easy to feel as though you’re failing.

And then they grow a little. They’re starting to learn their colors and shapes and ABCs. But as moms, we worry if they’re learning enough and if they’re on the same level as their peers. Am I doing enough to prepare them for school?

Then there are the times when you’re snuggling and everything in the world seems to be perfect. Their sweet little kisses give you the reassurance that you need to know that you are in fact doing a great job.

Just the other day, Adri and I were sitting around on my bed when she turned to me and said, “You’re my best friend, mom.” I died a little on the inside. It’s moments such as those that reassure me that I’m doing a decent job as a parent. Or like right now that I have a toddler softly brushing my hair as I type.

Parenthood certainly doesn’t always seem perfect, but there are always special moments to reassure us that things are in fact  going as close to perfectly as they can.

If you’re feeling mushy, take a look at this video or follow this link to view it on YouTube. Warning: it’s one of those mommy tearjerkers. For each view of the “You’re doing OK, Mom,” JOHNSON’S® Baby’s social initiative to donate $1 to Save the Children®. Save the Children® is an organization that gives children around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mommas out there tackling this crazy life the best way you know how. You’re doing OK, Mom.

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Sponsored: Five Tips for a Successful Military Spouse Career Search

I received compensation from AT&T in exchange for posting and hosting this giveaway. All opinions are my own. 

Many military spouses know how difficult it can be to find and maintain a career when you're moving every few years. Although it's been a while since I've had a job outside of the home, I have a few great tips that I've picked up along the years and from a marketing course I took in college.

1. Have a good resume: Even with gaps in employment, it's possible to have a great resume. If you haven't worked in a while, don't forget to include any applicable volunteer experience that you may have. Many military installations offer resume workshops to assist with helping you look good on paper.

2. Use your resources: Along with resume workshops, some military installations offer assistance with searching for openings or job placement. I've also seen employment fairs that bring together several employers from the community that are looking to hire. Don't forget that there are scholarships and grants available to military spouses to help with furthering your education.

3. Research, research, research: This one applies to many aspects of the job search process. You'll need to research employment requirements, average pay, etc. If you're lucky enough to score an interview, make sure to research the employer so that you're prepared for any questions that your interviewer might throw at you. Company history, awards, and what distinguishes them from their competition are great places to start.

4. Dress the part: You've heard the phrase, "dress for the job you want." Part of your research should include appropriate office attire. Depending on where you're applying/interviewing, you'll more than likely want to dress pretty conservatively. Be sure to have a clean appearance as well keep it simple with the jewelry and makeup.

5. Find a portable career: Many employers, such as AT&T, are willing to work with their employees and accommodate the frequent need for relocation. Through their website for military spouses, you can search and apply for jobs near military installations. Working from home is always a fantastic option.

Are there any additional career search tips that you'd like to add to help military spouses? Tweet your ideas to @attjobs and include #MilSpouse.

Annnd.. Now for the part that I'm sure you've all been waiting for.. The winner of the AT&T gift basket is: Amanda Sakovitz. An alternate winner will be chosen if I don't hear back.

Thank you to everyone who entered and participated!

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Sponsored: Top 5 Ways to Show Appreciation to Military Spouses + iPad Giveaway

I received compensation from AT&T in exchange for posting and hosting this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

In the United States, Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother's Day. This year, Military Spouse Appreciation Day falls on May 9. Although as spouses, we may not have the toughest job in the military, it is nice to have one day out of the year where our support and sacrifices are recognized.

In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, here are a few ideas on how you can show appreciation for military spouses.

1. Reach out: Most military spouses know how difficult it can be to make friends and meet people at a new duty station. Have a new neighbor? Go say hello and introduce yourself. Try striking up a conversation with a mom sitting solo at the park. Introduce yourself to the new faces at your unit events.

2. Lend a hand: There are countless ways to show appreciation through acts of kindness, no matter how small. Bringing the trash cans back from the curb, mowing the yard, helping out with car issues, watching children for a few hours. When the service member is away, the spouse often times has to adopt roles that they were previously not familiar with. While this is usually a tremendous learning opportunity, sometimes it becomes a burden. Especially when Murphy's Law of Deployment won't cut you a break.

3. Food is good: When Hubster is gone, the girls and I practically live off of cereal and spaghetti and meatballs, with a bag of popcorn tossed in for special occasions. For some reason, I lack the motivation to cook when it's just the kids and I. A simple pre-cooked or frozen meal can go a long way in showing appreciation. It frees up a bit of kitchen time and ensures that no one is turning into a Froot Loop. These meals are also great for a spouse who may have just had a baby or has been sick.

4. Wine is better: Or coffee. Some solo adult conversation and beverages of choice are always a nice way to unwind. Because so many military spouses also take on the role of stay at home mom, time away from the kiddies (and sometimes, even the hubs) can be necessary to stay level headed in this hectic lifestyle.

5. Words of encouragement: A simple "thank you" goes a long way. I've never felt the need to be thanked for being a military spouse. The military is what my husband does and I'm just along for the ride. Our service members are the ones who deserve all the thanks for literally sacrificing their lives for our country. However, if someone feels the need to acknowledge that I'm many miles away from loved ones often times raising children on my own, I'll take it and it's very much appreciated. "I'm here if you need anything," is another good one.

What other ways can you think of to show appreciation to military spouses? Tag @att and #milspouse to share your ideas on Twitter! You can also click here to see how AT&T is supporting our troops and their families.

As a way to show appreciation, AT&T has sponsored a fantastic giveaway (pictured) which includes an iPad mini, iPad cover, t-shirt, and hat!  Enter via Rafflecopter below!

Contest is open to all U.S. residents, military spouse or not. Entry period will run from 12:01 am EST Friday, April 25 until 11:59 pm EST Wednesday, May 7. The winner will be announced on the blog on May 8. Entries will be verified.

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Family Fun in the Sun

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with LUBRIDERM and Latina Bloggers Connect. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own.

I've never really been an outdoorsy type of girl. Let's face it, I was born and raised in Miami, so the extent of my outdoor experience pretty much began and ended at the beach. Since moving to Hawaii though, I've been attempting to embrace the miniscule sliver of Davy Crockett in me. You might be surprised to know that there is much more to do here aside from lounging at the beach with a fruity drink. 

Since Hawaiian weather is relativity close to impeccable year-round, our family would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity to spend as much time outside as possible. Polar vortex, what? And who knows, the Army could send us to somewhere close to Canada after this. While here, we've taken advantage of the hiking opportunities. Thanks to friend getting a Kayak, that's been mentioned a few times as well. I would really love to learn to stand-up paddleboard though!

Although there is a ton to do around the island, I've also embraced being able to do outdoor activities with the girls in our own neighborhood. We have a decent-sized back yard (by Hawaii standards), which makes it easy to get outside while Hubster is at work and not able to help with the munchkins. Even though Hawaii isn't even close, some days, it feels like we're sitting on the equator. For that reason, it's important that our family, especially the girls, have some sort of sun protection every time we go outside. With essential moisturizing ingredients, Lubriderm Daily Moisture with SPF 15 Lotion provides a powerful two-in-one moisturizer that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Not only does it keep our skin protected, it helps maintain healthy hydrated skin, even in the sun.
So far, it’s been really nice to be able to spend a bunch of time outside with the girls. For a while, we were just sitting around the house all day not doing too much. I’m confident that although they might not remember everything about living in Hawaii, they will be able to remember some of the fun outdoor memories that we made together. They enjoy everything from walking to the mailbox or taking the dog on a walk, to splashing around in our kiddie pool and racing down the slide.
At the end of the day, one of everybody’s favorite activities is a hot bath or shower. It’s especially relaxing if we spent the day doing a physically demanding activity such as hiking. Lubriderm’s Daily Moisture Shea + Calming Lavender Jasmine Lotion’s soothing fragrance is the perfect way to wind down while also moisturizing your skin for a clinically proven 24 hours. With a clean and non-greasy feel, the light formula contains a calming lavender and jasmine fragrance that leaves skin feeling clean and non-greasy. There’s nothing like snuggling up with my clean little munchkins just before bed and smelling the light scent of lavender on them. 

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Be Your Own Boss [Giveaway]

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Amway. All opinions are 100% my own. 

As a stay at home mom, I used to struggle to find affordable gifts for Hubster for Christmas, his birthday, and our anniversary. To me, it didn't make sense to use the money that he earned to buy him something that he may or may not like. I even resorted to selling old jewelry at those mall kiosks. Eventually, I ran out of jewelry from ex boyfriends, and gifts to Hubster stopped. I could have gone the homemade route, but there really isn't much that could have wowed him.

For the past year and a half, I've actually been able to use this blog to make money, with posts such as this one! I was also able to expand my care package hobby and open up my own Etsy shop, that I've blogged about in the past. My profits now go to my PayPay account, that the husband doesn't have access too. A good amount of money goes back into blogging, but I was also able to afford an amazing Christmas gift this year.

Even with both kiddies around all day, I've been able to pull off half-working from home. Being my own boss allows me to create my own schedule as well as set my own expectation. Although there have been some challenges and many trials and errors, I am very satisfied with the outcome thus far.

Being a work at home mom is something that I would recommend to any mom, or dad for that matter, considering it. There are many ways to become your own boss, one of those being Amway. From their low-cost start up to their exclusive products, Amway makes it easy to start your own business. Being an entrepreneur is a challenging yet extremely fulfilling role. You can obtain more information regarding starting our own Amway business here: Amway.com/Startabusiness - http://bit.ly/1hAUGOQ

Additionally, Amway is hosting a fabulous giveaway with $710.00 worth of Amway products.




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